The cloud-based NAS that acts like an on-prem server.

Digital media doesn’t organize itself. And getting the right assets to the right people in the most timely manner is harder than it looks. Teams can capture brilliant footage when they’re out in the field, but without a way to effectively store and quickly share those files with editors, collaborators and other teammates, might miss their chance to capitalize the moment. For remote post production teams and creative studios, this means ensuring media assets are in the right place every time to promote a seamless creative workflow at every step of the process.

To store and share data today, creative studios lean on a number of different solutions. Shipping hard drives through snail mail is one “trusty” solution teams have been relying upon for years. Other teams regularly utilize “cloud-based” storage applications like Box, Dropbox, and Google Drive to share files between collaborators. Localized teams might utilize an on-premises NAS (or “on-prem NAS,” if you’re in the know) to share files between in-house creatives.

While these are popular options, they only really work when everyone can be in the same physical location. And they don’t allow for true, seamless remote collaboration—every time you want to access a file on any of these platforms you need to re-download the correct version of your media. Suite makes it possible to achieve local-style workflows from anywhere, so you and your team can save, edit, and share your work in real-time, without limitation. But how, exactly, does Suite differ from traditional cloud-based storage, sync, and on-prem NAS solutions?

Suite vs. Sync solutions

Sync solutions such as Box, Dropbox, and Google Drive are a popular way of keeping files synced across multiple devices, and the method tends to work fine for people that have more casual media sharing needs, or share smaller files more regularly. However, as file sizes and data sets increase in size and complexity, these “sync” solutions become problematic and inefficient, forcing users to download and sync files repeatedly across multiple locations, every time a change is made to an asset. When multiple people work collaboratively on a project that has multiple folders, versions, and file types, current drafts can quickly get lost in the mix.

Suite’s cloud storage behaves like a local drive, eliminating the need to sync or download files. Here’s how it works: By storing your media on Suite, your files are instantly connected to a cloud-based server that mounts to your local computer just the same as any external hard drive. Teams can then manage user access to the Suite cloud drive with just a few clicks, creating a centralized hub for every file while ensuring the right people have access to the right files at every step of the creative process. Editors and creators can drag-and-drop files locally, press save anytime, and continue working in real-time knowing that their files are updated across everyone’s device.

Suite vs. On-prem NAS

NAS (network-attached storage) is a physical storage device connected directly to a local network of computers. Utilizing a NAS can be a savvy move that streamlines a company’s internal workflows, but it is inherently limiting. In order to benefit from it, the user(s) must be present in the same physical space as the NAS itself, ie. within the same office/studio. Now, there are ways to access a NAS remotely, but performance is mediocre and best suited for simple file transfers or smaller, emergency edits. NAS systems also require some tech-savvy expertise to maintain. Some studios try to circumvent the downfalls of storage on a physical device, like implementing “RAID” devices (Redundant Array of Independent Disks), but that's just more of the same—more physical drives in a physical location. And in case you didn’t already know: These machines are expensive and require hefty out-of-pocket costs to setup.

Suite’s cloud storage allows you to work off your files from any device with an internet connection. Basically, Suite provides the same connectivity as working off of a local NAS, regardless of your location. Notably, our on-demand caching and local pre-caching features allow teams to supercharge their workflow by pre-loading media from the cloud onto their local device for enhanced playback and team-wide access. And Suite is infinitely scalable—so there’s never a need to invest in additional hardware when your team needs more storage space or when you need to add a new collaborator to a project. By enabling real-time access to files stored in the cloud, Suite makes it feel like everyone is working in the same room, in real-time, from anywhere in the world.

Suite vs. Shipping Drives

One of our biggest pet-peeves at Suite is that too many creative teams and post production studios are currently collaborating in ways that should be obsolete. Sending media between clients and collaborators via FedEx, UPS, and other “snail mail” options is one of them. This method restricts teams to organizing their footage/assets on one physical drive, then sending that exact drive through the mail to its destination. If multiple people need to collaborate on the project, that drive has to make an extensive trip between mailmen and editors before it lands back on your desk. And while it might be nice that you know your postman by name, but it’s really just silly that you do.

Suite eliminates the need to ship drives altogether by connecting remote teams through the cloud. The magic here is that, no matter your location, it’s possible to access the Suite drive, make edits in real-time, and know that everyone connected to your account will see those changes instantly. Better yet? Moving your team’s media storage to the cloud means you don’t have to buy another hard drive ever again, pay for shipping costs, or worry about missing a deadline. Suite cloud storage is infinitely scalable to match the growing demands of your media business, and it’s the streamlined solution for teams that need to store, share, and edit content remotely.

The future of collaboration is on the cloud.

Imagine you could collaborate with anyone you want, no matter where they call home? What if you didn’t have to drive back into the office to gain access to the one file you need? Suite enables next-generation collaboration by removing all of the limitations and boundaries teams currently experience when using traditional storage solutions. It eliminates the redundancies and sluggishness with sync, and it goes beyond the physical limitations of local storage solutions, offering real-time access to media files from anywhere in the world. With no need for expensive hardware maintenance or upgrades, it’s also a wise choice for emerging creative studios.

Moreover, Suite integrates seamlessly with your digital workspace, creating a streamlined workflow that’s familiar, reducing error and saving time. Suite doesn't just offer a place to store and a way to share your media—it revolutionizes the way you and your team interact with it.

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