Groove Virtual Office v3.0 Adds File Sharing And Chat Directly Into Microsoft Windows Explorer; 'My Documents' Become 'Our Documents'.

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Groove Networks Inc. today introduced a new simple, secure file-sharing technology, shipping in Groove Virtual Office v3.0, that lets PC users synchronize Windows(R) file folders, such as My Documents or My Favorites, across multiple computers with two mouse-clicks.

Groove folder synchronization gives individuals a remarkably easy and intuitive method of sharing, reviewing, and discussing with others the latest versions of documents, ranging from Microsoft(R) Word, PowerPoint and Excel files to Adobe Acrobat files and digital photos. With this capability, every user has access to the most up-to-date draft of documents, eliminating the confusion, inefficiency, errors, and wasted time of back-and-forth email volleys.

"With more than three years of in-market customer research and feedback, we've learned one unequivocal fact: PC users create files, and then they want to share, revise, and discuss those documents," said Ray Ozzie, Groove Networks' founder and CEO. "With version 3.0, we've streamlined the process of working together on documents. We inverted our model and brought Groove capabilities directly to the file system, turning ordinary folders into dynamic, interactive places for sharing and discussing work. By bringing secure file sharing to Windows Explorer, along with in-folder chat and our alerts and notifications capabilities, we believe we've created the most secure, efficient, and cost-effective way for individuals to synchronize documents among their own PCs, or to work with others online."

The file sharing challenge

Sharing digital files is arguably the most common use of the Internet. The increase in PC storage capacity and processing power, combined with the explosion of personal and business multimedia content, has heightened the need for simple and secure methods of transferring files among PCs. There are more files to transfer than ever: nearly 800 megabytes of new information is generated per person annually, according to research from the University of California, Berkeley. Yet the methods of exchanging and working together on digital files today, whether they're as small as a Word document or as large as a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing, are largely inefficient.

Groove folder synchronization

Groove Virtual Office software's new folder synchronization capability eliminates the step of "sending" files by allowing users to synchronize the contents of Windows file folders across multiple PCs. Sharing, editing, and discussing files within Groove synchronized folders frees users from the bandwidth constraints and in-box clutter of email, the configuration and security issues inherent in using shared network drives, the online-only limitations of Web sites, and the delays and expense of overnight mail. Files and documents can be shared, reviewed, modified, and discussed right from where they are commonly stored - on the desktop. Customizable alerts can also notify individuals whenever a document has been added or modified. As a result, email and file-server storage is reduced, as is the time spent attaching, detaching, uploading, downloading, copying, and organizing files - increasing individual and organizational productivity.

Moreover, the new folder synchronization capability provides the benefits of a virtual private network (VPN) without the complexity and expense that typically places VPNs beyond the reach of individuals and small businesses. Individuals can work securely with colleagues, business partners, customers, and others by securely sharing the contents of a single folder. The folders inherit Groove Virtual Office security, meaning all information exchanged over the Internet is encrypted automatically.

"Like a lot of multinationals that have grown through acquisitions and mergers, our local offices are a hodge-podge of relatively unintegrated systems," said Ethan Schoonover, e-business director for Lowe Worldwide. "Until now, file sharing among business units has been a lowest-common-denominator approach, meaning we used the only common system we had: email. As an ad agency, our product is often video, audio, or large format print files, so you can imagine our problems. With Groove, we've eliminated multiple bottlenecks: no more email file size limits, no more unwieldy, underutilized intranets, no more ad hoc, insecure FTP sites. Fundamentally, we've empowered our end users to securely share the files they need to work on with others. Groove Virtual Office version 3.0 brings this empowerment to a new level with its ability to share system level file structures. File synchronization among work teams just got more intuitive for my users."

How it works

To activate folder synchronization, Groove Virtual Office users simply select a folder in Microsoft Windows Explorer and click on the "Folder Sync" button. Groove then automatically synchronizes the folder's files across selected recipients' file systems. As with any Groove workspace, individuals can chat with one another, see when colleagues have logged on to the network or are working within the shared folder, see immediately what documents have changed or been added, or be notified instantly via taskbar or audio alerts when a document is revised or added.

Groove software's smart file synchronization technology particularly benefits users who need to share large files or directories of files. Groove transmits new file contents only when a colleague needs to review them and transmits just revisions instead of the entire document. In this way, Groove sharply reduces the impact on bandwidth and computer processing power.

Broad applications

Groove file-sharing technology can immediately be applied to a wide range of file-sharing challenges. Potential use cases include:

--The Virtual File Cabinet

Distributed small businesses can ensure all employees have secure access to the same files, without having to invest in an expensive file server, back-up equipment, or VPN software. For example, a company's 20 employees frequently travel and work from home offices, making it difficult to share and collaborate on files. The CEO of the company can rename his My Documents folder "Company Documents," synchronize the folder, and invite all employees. All sub-folders are automatically synchronized as well. The company has essentially turned its previously unlinked PC file systems into a secure, distributed file directory that instantly sends new and updated files directly to users' PCs - wherever they are.

--The Five Minute Extranet

Business teams can instantly share and discuss files with key partners across company boundaries. For example, a marketing firm needs to review with a new client a series of digital photos that are too large to email. Rather than process the photos and send them overnight, wasting time and money, the team can simply synchronize the folder storing the photos and invite the client. The team and client can then use text chat capabilities to discuss the files, right within Windows Explorer.

--The Digital Briefcase

Individuals can create a "digital briefcase" by automatically synchronizing certain file folders between home and work PCs, eliminating the hassle of manually transferring files back and forth. For example, an accountant working on a new budget spreadsheet saves the file to the "Budgets" folder on his work PC's hard drive, which is synchronized with his home PC. He shuts down his work PC, returns home, logs onto his home PC, and launches Groove. When he toggles to the identical "Budgets" folder on his home PC's hard drive, the new spreadsheet appears instantly. He can then make additional changes, assured that his changes will be synchronized with his work PC the following morning.

Pricing, availability, and system requirements 

Groove Virtual Office is available immediately from the Groove Networks store at www.groove.net/shop. Individuals and organizations can purchase Groove Virtual Office File Sharing Edition for US $69, Professional Edition for US $179 and Project Edition for US $229.

Groove Virtual Office v3.0 runs on Microsoft Windows NT(R) 4.0 (with Service Pack 5 or later), Windows 2000, or Windows XP, Windows 98 and Windows ME, and requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0. The software requires a PC with an Intel(R) Pentium(R) 400 MHz or higher processor (or equivalent) with a minimum of 256 MB of RAM, 100 MB of hard disk storage, and a 56 kbps modem (local area network, DSL, or cable modem preferred). A sound card, speakers, and microphone may be required to use the software's voice and audible alert capabilities.

About Groove Networks

Founded in October 1997 and headquartered in Beverly, Mass., Groove Networks Inc. offers virtual office software that allows teams of people to work together over the network as if they were in the same location. Groove software helps organizations, large and small, save money, time and eliminate travel by offering both a desktop application for instant teamwork, and a set of customizable, open collaboration capabilities that enhance the utility and value of existing solutions. A 60-day free trial edition of Groove Virtual Office is available at http://www.groove.net/downloads/groove/.

Groove Networks and Groove are registered trademarks of Groove Networks Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.