AIRDOCS EFA4

Airdocs uses these principles to send information from one computer to another to tell the recipient how it can reconstruct the file using data that is already on the recipient computer. In other words, you only transfer the data that’s strictly necessary, and in that respect ARTR is different to file compression as most of the file isn’t even transmitted in the first place. Those parts that need to be transmitted are then compressed and the result is astonishing.

DAILY USE

We tested Airdocs by downloading a 2.27MBPowerPoint file from an Airdocs server, which we edited and sent back to the initial server. The returned file measured some 20KB in size. That was then edited at the server and we downloaded it again, and despite the changes and transmissions it was in perfect condition, yet the transfer speed was breath-taking. There are some quirks to this technology. For instance, if you edit a Bitmap image by adding a vertical line, this will result in a tiny file, but if you add a horizontal line you may find the entire image needs to be transmitted. Another interesting part of this application is that the client/server software is small enough to fit on a floppy disk. This makes adding it to a roll-out easier for the IT manager, as it can be manually installed or, in many cases, merely emailed.

You pay a one-off fee for a perpetual licence depending on the number of clients who access the server within any one month period, starting at £150 per seat (ex. VAT) for0 to 24 licenses. This drops to £135 (ex. VAT)for 25 to 49 seats, £120 (ex. VAT) for 50 to 99seats, and £100 (ex. VAT) for 100 to 249 seats. If you order ,more than 250 seats you earn the right to negotiate a fee. Airdocs 4 adds a feature called Fast Folders, which appears on your desktop like any other short cut file. Fast Folders are a short cut toyour personal folder on the Airdocs server so your manager can leave documents – such as price lists, brochures and presentations – ready for you to download when you get the time.

If you have a GPRS connection, Airdocs 4has a pre-caching facility that downloads files in the background, so there’s a very good chance you will find the current versions of all your documents are already on your laptop when you come to use them. In many ways Airdocs stands or falls on its ARTR technology, but we have to say that we were utterly impressed by this software.

There are few things as depressing as trying to access your company’s file servers over a dial-up connection from a hotel room in Pontypool or Portugal. Once you’ve physically connected to your company’s server, using either the hotel phone or your mobile, you cross your fingers and hope to establish a wobbly33.6Kbps link, and then it’s time to start operation download. The experienced roadwarrior will then leave the machine running while he heads off for a spot of dinner, all the while hoping the connection can be maintained and that email and files will continue to trickle through the phone system to his laptop.

SPEED TRIALS

If you’re connecting over GSM you may even find that the inherent latency of the system predicts a download time of many hours for less than 1MB of files. Those of you who manage tog et broadband when you travel will have far happier experiences, but you also know there’s room for improvement. Well the answer is here, and it’s called Airdocs4 (£176 inc. VAT), which claims to have the fastest “file transfer in the world”. The principle is simple, as it has been designed to send smaller pockets of data, which in theory will speed up transfer times. Of course file compression has been around for years, and we’ve all used Winzip or Winrar, and prefer JPGs over TIFFs for that reason, but this isn’t file compression. Airdocs uses a technology called ARTR(Adaptive Redundant Transfer Reduction),which claims to effectively teleport your files from server to client, or vice versa. The principle is that most files follow certain formats and contain common headers and footers, as well as lots of repeated data. This is particularly true of Office, CAD and Quark Xpress files. Furthermore, when you update – for instance, a PowerPoint presentation– and then return it to the author, there’s only a tiny amount of revised data contained in the file. Once again, such a technique isn’t new. However, it has been difficult to implement.

RATING: 9

PRICE: STARTS AT £150/£176 (EX/INC. VAT)
KEY FEATURES: FILE COMPRESSION SOFTWARE TO SPEED UP YOUR EMAIL
OS COMPATIBILITY: WINDOWS 9X/NT/2000/XP
CONTACT: 08700 607 333 WWW.AIRDOCS.COM