Box vs Citrix ShareFile

August 26, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Box
Box offers free cloud storage and file sharing services that enables you to securely share and access files online. Companies rely on Box because it's secure, works on any device and scales to meet the needs of small businesses and Fortune 500 companies.
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Citrix ShareFile
ShareFile allows businesses to securely send large files to anyone, anywhere. Send big files up to 100 GB from your PC, Mac, or mobile device. Citrix ShareFile allows you to create a custom-branded, password-protected space where you can exchange business files with clients easily and securely. Whether you need to send large files by email, conduct a secure file transfer or set up a collaboration space for project-related files, ShareFile has the solution for you.
Box and Citrix ShareFile are two popular cloud-based file-sharing and content management platforms with distinct features and target audiences.

Box is known for its user-friendly interface and collaborative capabilities. It offers robust file storage and sharing functionalities, enabling teams to collaborate on documents, projects, and workflows seamlessly. Box integrates well with a variety of productivity tools and supports real-time collaboration, version control, and file commenting. Box's focus on user experience and collaboration makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes, particularly those that prioritize collaboration and teamwork.

Citrix ShareFile, on the other hand, places a strong emphasis on security and compliance. It provides advanced security features like encryption, access controls, and data loss prevention to ensure the protection of sensitive information. ShareFile is designed to meet the strict compliance requirements of regulated industries, such as legal and healthcare, by offering features like audit trails, e-signatures, and secure client portals. It provides organizations with greater control and visibility over their data, making it a preferred choice for businesses that prioritize security and compliance.

See also: Top 10 Cloud Storages
Box vs Citrix ShareFile in our news:

2023. Box announces Hubs, a custom portal to share specialized content



Box has introduced Hubs, a novel tool tailored for crafting centralized microsites to share specific types of content. Essentially, Box Hubs enables users to curate content from their Box account and disseminate it to their chosen audience in a customized and curated manner within their business. The potential applications for this tool are virtually limitless. It manifests as a specialized portal intended to house items such as HR policies, brand assets, or the most recent pricing details for a sales team. In conventional files and folders, these scenarios might lose their clarity, but within a portal, their purpose remains evident. The hub format offers a meticulously curated set of information for easy searchability—a concept that Box co-founder Levie acknowledges was not fully explored until the emergence of ChatGPT last year.


2021. Box acquires eSignature startup SignRequest for new content workflows



Box has announced its acquisition of SignRequest, an e-signature startup, for a sum of $55 million. This strategic acquisition fills a crucial gap in Box's offerings, providing the company with a native signature component that was previously absent from its platform. By incorporating SignRequest's technology, Box gains the ability to offer seamless e-signature capabilities directly within its platform, enabling new workflows and enhancing user experiences. The importance of remote work has become increasingly evident, particularly during the pandemic, as it offers enhanced safety and flexibility. Even in a post-pandemic world with a return to more face-to-face interactions, the ability to perform tasks entirely in the cloud and eliminate paper-based workflows will significantly accelerate processes and enhance overall efficiency.


2020. Box adds new collaboration capabilities



In response to the ongoing pandemic, Box is introducing new collaboration features. One of the key updates includes a cleaner interface, enhancing user interactions and file sharing capabilities. Additionally, Box is introducing a feature called Collections, which empowers users to organize their files and folders in a manner that suits their specific needs. This organizational structure is customizable on an individual basis. Furthermore, Box is incorporating an annotations capability, enabling users to easily add comments to files, either as a single editor or in a group discussion. Similar to collaboration tools in Google Docs, this functionality facilitates remote real-time commenting on any document, which is particularly valuable in the current environment. Lastly, Box allows external partners and customers to share files via a dedicated landing page, enhancing collaboration and information exchange.


2020. Box adds automated malware detection to Box Shield security product



Box has introduced automated malware detection tools to enhance Box Shield, its security offering unveiled in the previous year. The company is employing a three-fold strategy with this solution. Firstly, users will be able to preview files without the need to download them, while receiving indications of any associated risks. Secondly, the system will proactively block the downloading of files that contain malware. Lastly, the security team will be promptly notified when a malware-infected file is uploaded to Box.


2018. Box acquired workflow automation startup Progressly



Box has recently acquired Progressly, a startup specializing in workflow management. In 2016, Box introduced its own workflow tool called Box Relay, in collaboration with IBM, targeting large enterprises. While Box Relay has proven valuable for well-defined processes within companies, such as contract management or employee onboarding, Box aims to expand its capabilities and create a wider range of workflows. The addition of the Progressly team to Box's workforce will facilitate this expansion. With their expertise, Box will be able to develop workflows that not only operate within the Box platform but also integrate with external workflow engines like Pega and Nintex. This integration will enable the creation of more complex automation scenarios using the comprehensive suite of Box tools and services. Such workflows can involve both internal employees and external organizations, allowing for sophisticated content movement and management beyond the capabilities of Box Relay.


2017. Box applied AI to content management



Box has recently introduced Skills and its accompanying SDK, known as Skills Kit. These new offerings empower organizations and developers to extract valuable insights from their extensive content repositories within Box datasets, utilizing machine learning techniques to unlock the inherent commercial value of their content. Box is currently showcasing three initial Box Skills, leveraging machine learning tools from Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure to address common business use cases. These include image recognition, which involves detecting objects and concepts within image files, performing optical character recognition (OCR) to extract text, and automatically assigning keyword labels to images for efficient metadata creation. Additionally, Box Skills encompass audio transcription and analysis, enabling the creation and indexing of text transcripts from audio files for seamless search and manipulation across various use cases. Lastly, video indexing employs text transcription, topic detection and indexing, and facial recognition to analyze video files comprehensively.


2017. Box introduced Box Elements - pre-packaged content services for developers



Box has unveiled a new developer tool called Box Elements, consisting of pre-packaged application components aimed at providing Box functionality through minimal lines of code. Over time, Box intends to offer three categories of Elements: UI, app, and services. The initial release focuses on the UI components, encompassing various functionalities. These include Content Uploader, which facilitates drag and drop file capability within any application; Content Explorer, allowing developers to embed Box file navigation into their applications; Content Preview, enabling the display of over 120 file types, including interactive video, within an application; and Content Picker, which empowers developers to integrate file picking capability within an application. While these capabilities may not appear groundbreaking, developing them from scratch would consume considerable development time. Box's offering allows for swift implementation without the need for extensive content expertise, enabling developers to expedite their projects.


2017. Box introduced desktop app Box Drive


Box has introduced Box Drive, a desktop application compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems. This application enables users to create, edit, locate, and share files without the need for a web browser. By seamlessly integrating with the desktop environment, Box Drive functions as an additional drive on the computer, similar to the local C drive, providing a more streamlined and intuitive file management experience. While the application itself is free, large enterprises such as General Electric, P&G, and The Gap have the option to subscribe to Box for enhanced functionality. Existing customers will have access to the full range of capabilities offered by Box Drive. Notably, Box recently announced its integration with Apple's new Files app, which offers an additional avenue for accessing Box documents across iOS devices.


2016. Box Zones will let you choose storage from IBM and AWS



Enterprise file collaboration service Box has introduced a new product called Box Zones, which provides customers with the option to select a storage solution from a different vendor. This feature enables customers to comply with privacy laws by storing their files in the same country. Initially, Box Zones will be available on Amazon Web Services in Ireland, Germany, Japan, and Singapore, with plans to expand to additional zones using IBM data centers later this year. Ultimately, Box aims to offer flexibility by allowing customers to integrate any approved storage solution of their choice. With Box Zones, customers in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe can fulfill legal and regulatory requirements by storing their content in-country using third-party storage, while still leveraging the comprehensive features and services provided by Box.


2014. Box introduced new mobile web interface



Cloud file collaboration service Box has announced the release of its updated mobile website (m.box.com) and accessibility site (a.box.com). With this update, Box mobile web users can now enjoy the same user-friendly navigation and visually appealing interface as offered by Box's native mobile apps, eliminating the need to install a separate mobile application. Alongside a refreshed layout and visual design, Box has introduced several new features. These include high-fidelity HTML5 document previewing, enhanced collaboration capabilities that encompass inviting and managing collaborators, fine-grained file sharing controls for establishing and modifying shared links, support for Box Notes, and optimized performance for faster loading times, especially over cellular networks. The improved file preview experience simplifies content sharing, allowing recipients outside of your organization to preview and provide comments on Box content directly from their mobile web browser, facilitating seamless collaboration even while on the go.

Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com