Product Review: iTwin Simplifies Remote File Sharing

The computer is essential to the small business professional. Often it becomes such a necessity that the laptop travels from home to office, and back home each day.

This is where cloud computing steps in. It makes it possible to share files between multiple computers, even multiple people. The cloud presents problems for some businesses and certain situations. Sometimes hardware is better. But does that mean bringing your laptop everywhere?

Not always. There are solutions that let you securely access another computer. A USB-based product called iTwin lets two computers share files with ease. It's a USB stick that separates in half so when each end is plugged into a separate computer, common files are shared. Here's how it works.

Plug the iTwin with both ends into a PC to set up the device. When I did this, my Windows 7 computer instantly recognized the device and installed software. The iTwin also looks for any software updates to keep the device up to date. It's pretty painless.

Similar to a USB drive, the device pops up as if it were a drive and opens a window that displays files. Of course the first time doing this the window is empty. I selected a few files and dragged them to the window. The next step is to separate the iTwin and leave the computer on with one half of the device.

To test the iTwin I used a laptop with windows Vista. Once booted up and online, I plugged half the iTwin in the USB drive. Just like before, the computer recognizes the device and quickly installs software. Once installed, the iTwin folder opens and shows the files I placed on it using my other computer. With remote access, I can open any file in the shared folders, make changes to documents, and even copy them to the desktop.

In order to access these shared files, the original computer must be on and running iTwin with the device plugged in. Both computers must be on, with the iTwin device, and both must have an internet connection.

While I originally thought the iTwin was a desktop virtualization device, once I got it and started using it I realized this is for sharing specific files and does not let you access your desktop and applications remotely. The device is comparable to saving files to "the cloud," but with added security. You can only access files remotely if you have the iTwin plugged in on both computers. It only lets you access files you've selected to go on the iTwin, and you can password-protect the iTwin so someone else can't get into your files with one piece of the device.

If you should lose the device, or half of it, a deactivation code renders the device useless. This code is issued the first time you plug in the device. Store it somewhere you can find it.

The device is ideal for someone who wants to access files on their home computer at work, or vice versa. It's also useful for two people who need to share files. If you're working on a project with another person, you can share the iTwin and have up-to-date files without worrying about draft versions. If I have a file and make it accessible on the iTwin, if my coworker makes changes to it the newest version will save on the iTwin and both computers. It keeps drafts up to date.

Hardware offers advantages over cloud storage. You are only limited to space by the capacity of your hard drive. This means you can have some pretty large files such as video or animations, and only have it taking space on one of two computers. The hardware also adds AES 256-bit encryption and limits access to someone who holds the dongle. Files are able to be accessed two-ways, meaning both computers can have documents they share on the iTwin, and make accessible by the other computer.

The iTwin is compatible with PCs using Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Macs with OS X 10.6 and above; version of Snow Leopard and Lion. ITwin sells for $99, and can be bought directly from iTwin or on Amazon.com. It has a streamlined design where the pieces fit together into one slim USB stick, and can easily be separated to two USB sticks that make it easy for operation.