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Dear Peer Software Customer,

First, for your support of our products over the past 15 years, I want to personally say thank you. Since our inception, we have continually updated and improved our Peer Software products based on direct interaction and feedback from you, our customers. It is through this process that we have built a very loyal following, mostly through word of mouth, and as a result our business has grown considerably, especially in the past several years. I have had many conversations with our clients and have tried to lead our innovation in a direction that met the changing needs of your business. More and more I was asked for central monitoring and management of synchronization sessions, better distribution methods of pushing files to multiple targets, shorter folder scan times, etc. Over the years, you have seen major improvements in PeerSync based on this feedback with the introduction of capabilities such as multi-threaded operations, better dynamic profile loading and configuration, central loading of dynamic profiles, and much more. And several years ago we added file locking to our product set with PeerLock, expanded the capabilities of our PeerSync Observer (PSObserver) tool for central monitoring; and created a new product line for managed files called Peer DRS for Microsoft SQL and Exchange backup.

In addition to the work done on the Peer family of products, we also began a parallel internal development effort several years ago in search of a much more scalable and flexible file management environment that allowed for increasing requirements for central management and monitoring of distributed file operations. This technology utilized the latest in modern programming tools and techniques and has led us today to a new product line which we call FolderMaestro. Since our intentions for this product line are initially for enterprise level file collaboration we decided to launch a new company, called FolderMaestro, to market, sell and develop this software so as not to have it confused with our PeerSync File Collaboration product (which is a combination of our PeerSync and PeerLock Software). The FolderMaestro software is a much more scalable solution for enterprises with many file servers that need to participate in a collaborative session. File locking and distribution is all highly coordinated through a central hub that also is the place where all configuration is accomplished. All participating file servers can be connected via intranet or internet using SSL and encryption. FolderMaestro has some advantages over our PeerSync File Collaboration package and if you need to collaborate on four or more servers or need to use TCP connections, we recommend switching to the FolderMaestro software. For more information, please feel free to visit FolderMaestro at www.foldermaestro.com or email sales@foldermaestro.com.

It is important to let you know that we plan to continue to innovate and update our PeerSync family of products under the Peer Software name. In fact, this month’s newsletter announces a new update to PeerSync and we already have a full plate of “wish list” items we are already working on for next year. Our Peer Software Development staff is a dedicated team of professionals who have been with me for a long time. Please rest assured that the Peer products you have come to rely on for your business will continue to be improved, be sold, and be supported for many years to come. But for those of you who require a little something extra in terms of large scale multi-server file synchronization and file locking software, we invite you to also evaluate FolderMaestro. FolderMaestro is supported by a separate development team from the Peer Software engineers, but the two teams are synergistic in sharing the vast wealth of information and experience gained from working with you over these last 15 years. Our helpful Peer Software Technical Support staff will be assisting with FolderMaestro support for a while so you will undoubtedly encounter one of them if you decide to try/switch to the FolderMaestro File Collaboration software.

We are looking forward to working with you to help solve the business problems of today and tomorrow and to explore opportunities to help you in many new and exciting ways through Peer Software and now FolderMaestro.

From all of us here at the Peer family, we wish you and your family the best during this holiday season.

Warmest regards,

Paul Marsala
President/CEO
Peer Software, Inc.
_______________________
4155 Veterans Highway
Suite 12
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
www.peersoftware.com

PeerSync Observer Enterprise v2.0.2

Contact Us What’s New

This release includes minor fixes to reported issues.

For a complete list of Product Enhancements and fixes View the Product What’s New

PSListener Agent v2.2.1

Contact Us What’s New

PLEASE NOTE: Peer Software has released an update to the ByteReplicator/TCP Agent (PSListener v2.2.1) to go along with the PeerSync v7.4.4 release.

This release includes improved communication between PeerSync and the PSListener to better handle unreliable connections as well as improved TCP and byte-level replication performance.
 If utilizing the ByteReplicator or TCP WAN Connector features, make sure you update your PSListener Agent. 

For a complete list of Product Enhancements and fixes View the Product What’s New

PeerSync v7.4.4

On October 23, Peer Software released a minor patch to the PeerSync product. (Version v7.4.4)

This patch offers increased performance for byte-level replication as well as TCP file transfers scenarios; optimized scanning and several updates to address reported issues. 

For a complete list of Product Enhancements and fixes View the Product What’s New

PeerLock v2.0.2

Peer Software just released PeerLock v2.0.2.

This patch includes several updates to improve the interaction between PeerSync and PeerLock and tighten the protection of files during various stages of the locking and releasing phase.

In addition, this patch includes fixes to any reported issues.

For a complete list of Product Enhancements and fixes View the Product What’s New

PeerSync v7.4.3

Peer Software just released PeerSync v7.4.3.

This patch offers improved communication during Collaboration and TCP file transfers scenarios, tighter integration with PeerLock, optimized scanning and much more. 

Below are some of the release highlights: 

Enhanced Blackout: Improved the Blackout processing while providing the end user with a more detailed visual status of the Blackout.

For a complete list of Product Enhancements and fixes View the Product What’s New 

PSListener Agent v2.2.0

What’s New

PLEASE NOTE: Peer Software has released an update to the ByteReplicator/TCP Agent (PSListener v2.2.0) to go along with the PeerSync v7.4.3 release.

This release includes improved communication between PeerSync and the PSListener to better handle unreliable connections.  

If utilizing the ByteReplicator or TCP WAN Connector features, make sure you update your PSListener Agent.  Previous PSListener agents are NOT compatible with current PeerSync release.

Peer Software is proud to announce its recent partnership with Parallels, leader in virtualization and automation software.

Parallels offers a wide range of virtualization and automation solutions to help individuals and organizations of all sizes realize the benefits of optimized computing.

Peer Software and Parallels have combined efforts to offer joint customers with virtualization platforms and disaster recovery solutions that enable businesses to gain cost-saving and simplified IT infrastructures, while having complete confidence in the certified data protection, availability and continuous backup that our products provide.

“Server virtualization technologies have provided a powerful solution for companies requiring increased computing capabilities to run and grow their business. However, backup technologies have generally not kept pace with the challenges presented in virtualized environments,” said Paul Marsala, CEO of Peer Software. “Peer Software and Parallels are committed to ensure that Virtuozzo customers have a solid foundation for their data availability and disaster recovery requirements.”

Peer Software offers Parallels Virtuozzo Containers customers real-time file replication capabilities with our PeerSync Server product line. Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Exchange backup are also available through our Peer DRS product line.

Read more about the proven Virtual Server Backup solution offered by our products to Parallels Virtuozzo Containers customers.

For further information about Parallels virtual infrastructures go to www.parallels.com

Below is a video on the Peer Software Company Overview and Solutions.

The video outlines the following:
- Company History
- Company Products
- Data Protection and High Availability Solutions

We want to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Enabling Centralized Configuration, Deployment and Monitoring of Continuous Data Protection of the Mobile Workforce. 

Challenges

How do you handle the different connectivity states of a laptop user (i.e. “on net” when in the corporate office, “off net but connected remotely” when at home or in a hotel, and “temporarily disconnected” when working while on a flight)?

How do you centrally configure, deploy and monitor a back-up solution in real time for a system that is constantly mobile?

How do you ensure back-ups occur to the central corporate storage infrastructure without creating complex processes that require end-user actions? 

How do you ensure efficient and secure data transfer from anywhere in the world?

Did you know PeerSync can do this?

The PeerSync Laptop Backup Package for the Enterprise Mobile Workforce addresses each of these challenges and enables centralized configuration, deployment and monitoring of continuous data protection for laptops.

While there are many solutions and methodologies trying to address this need today, a comprehensive review of requirements should be made to ensure that any product chosen meets all the complex challenges presented from a mobile workforce.

With this in mind, the PeerSync Laptop Backup Package was created to include the following functionality:

• Centralized backup configuration and deployment
• Centralized monitoring console
• Backup auto-start with intelligent “connection” check (i.e. no end-user action required)
• Real-time event detection and back-up when connected
• Multiple Source / Target path configurations allowed
• Enterprise grade encryption for data transfer
• Byte-level replication
• Bandwidth throttling
• Open / locked file processing (e.g. Outlook .pst files)
• UNC Path, TCP/IP and FTP Support
• Transfer file and folder ACLs
• Inadvertent file deletion protection
• Revision control
• Administrative and Email reporting
• Log files by job and by laptop
• Blackout schedule options

Laptop Backup - Learn More …

Networking has made it possible for organizations to locate offices and employees anywhere. Working with partners, selling products, and providing service can also be accomplished for any connected location. As long as files can move from point A to point B, there’s nothing standing in the way of productivity.

Of course, organizations with distributed workforces, sales regions, and partner locations have many files moving from point A to point B. Those files could contain any kind of data: copy, financials, software code, graphics. And many times, files are works in progress, travelling the network from one member of a committee to another, from an editor to a writer and back again, or from a supervisor asking for spreadsheet updates to the accountant who will make them.

IT management needs to ensure the organization that data and files will move securely from point to point. It must also find efficient ways to serve the data and enable people to share files. Without such efficient systems, productivity is compromised by file check-ins and check-outs and the need to know where files currently reside.

Microsoft Distributed File System (DFS) enables IT managers and end-users in medium and large enterprises access and manage files that are distributed across the network. DFS replication services allow files to be shared without emailing from person to person. There is no need to search for the latest version, the last recipient, or worry about the network’s capacity to move a large file.

However, Microsoft DFS does present some limitations, most notably the inability to lock files. Without file locking, users that access a file simultaneously might inadvertently overwrite one another’s changes or modify contents that are still being formulated. The time needed to identify and resolve data conflicts can negate the benefits of file sharing using Microsoft DFS.

Read the Full White Paper including the following information:

• Why use Microsoft DFS
• Problems with FRS - The advantage of DFS R2
• DFS R2 improvements - Namespaces and replication
• The DFS R2 limitations: No file locking
• Tools that add file locking to Microsoft DFS

 White Paper - MS DFS: Leveraging the Benefits and Filling the Gaps

Please let us know what you think and if there are any questions that may be left unanswered after reading this document. We look forward to hearing from you!