File compression is self-explanatory, though the level of compression may vary depending on the type of data or file being sent. Checkpoint restart ensures that if a transmission is terminated before completion, it will continue where it left off the next time a connection is made between that remote machine and the central server, instead of requiring a complete restart of the transfer. File differencing and checkpoint restart can reduce necessary data transfer time dramatically. With Afaria, for instance, file differencing reduced the necessary data transfer from more than 2 MB to less than 300 KB between the first and second time a laptop connected to the network. The other products showed similar performance gains, with file differencing significantly reducing file sizes during transfers.
Distribution is important when sending new applications to the field.
Data-file updates ensure that users have the most recent version of corporate data and that updated data on the laptops returns safely to the enterprise network. All four products can take snapshots of the files on a user's machine and provide solid asset-tracking features as well. Once a snapshot of a given user's machine has been taken, the file-distribution mechanisms in all four of the packages we tested can be configured to overwrite any improperly changed files with the original version. Not all shops will need or want this level of control, but it's a big selling point for those that do. Tech Library Our Tech Library offers thousands of white papers and research reports on emerging and hot technologies.