Progress ShareFile vs. Suralink

Progress ShareFile has been a great tool for sharing files. When you send to outside people they get an easy link to click on to download the needed files. On the sender side you get options to have the person do things logon to get the file, just enter a name and email address, or just click on the link and download. There are hooks to use other tools to scan for personal information like SSN or credit card numbers. Many of our users use email to send and store emails. They have found that clicking on a link to get a file adds a bit of complexity but many have learned how to adjust to the change.

Incentivized

SuraLink makes perfect sense for a CPA firm that works with a number of clients. It provides easy access, and well-presented display of each client and the corresponding files provided. The security of the files is also imperative for sensitive client information. The format of the portal also allows for ease of understanding which files coordinate to what requests. This is in contrast to a something like a "drop-box" in which it is simply a list of files. This may not be the proper product for a smaller operation that only seeks secure file transfers on a non-regular basis. Additionally, for the smaller organizations, the cost may be prohibitive for little to sparing use. In those situations, a more simple secure file transfer options may be more advantageous.

Incentivized

• I think that one of ShareFile's greatest strengths is its ease of use. With the outlook plug-in sharing large documents is so quick and easy.
• I also like the security and control that is provided for who can access the documents and tracking the changes within them. I think it does well at protecting information that leaves the company.
• I also think the website is well organized and easy to use. It was very easy for us to implement and train our employees on the proper use of the website and software.

Incentivized

• Live open items list for both the engagement team and the client
• Secure file transfer with ease and customization for alerts
• Optimal encryption for data security and safety

Incentivized

• Users grow quickly (each client gets a separate account). Automated pruning would be nice.
• I'm not aware of integration with Office365 online (only the outlook app). This could make it harder for some users.
• It would be nice to have something that auto-scans emails and attachments for PII and would require Sharefile for those emails.

Incentivized

• There seems to be a number of situation in which the site is down or experiencing difficulties. This makes it difficult to work with clients and obtain documentation.
• When uploading a large volume of workpapers, there are occasions in which some or all of the files will not upload properly. This creates additional back and forth and frustration with the client for re-requests or follow-ups.
• The email notification alerts could be stronger in how they are displayed and how the changes/updates are utilized.

Incentivized

It's a highly effective and secure storage system, has robust workarounds for serving the various equipment limits of our users, meets high security requirements of HIPAA standards, significantly reduces our needs for producing paper trails.

Incentivized

Some of the clunkiness in the user interface and the processing of documents could be made more seamless. However, once you get over that learning curve, it's straightforward enough. The API for integrating external systems is well documented, and the support crew is great at getting you over the rough spots. There's nothing bad about their system, just a few things I thought could be more elegant.

The software has never been down when I needed to use it.

Incentivized

Easy to use, easy to integrate with Outlook. I only gave it a 9 because I have found that sometimes it does not play nicely with Outlook and can slow it down. But, when that happens (not frequent), I restart Outlook and all is well again

Incentivized

Typically the support is very knowledgeable and interested in following an issue until it is fully resolved. I have not had any issues working with their staff as they are all polite and easy to communicate with. If the first or second level tech does not fix the concern then it is escalated until we get to someone who can close the case.

Incentivized

Good documentation for the API. With a little help from RS tech staff, any competent programmer should be able to integrate RightSignature with an existing system in a week or three. That help is easy to get as well

ShareFile offers more professional level services, and doesn't constantly "run out" of space, forcing you to upgrade to continue. When doing a cost comparison, the competitors may seem cheaper at first, but by the time you add on the features to make it comparable, the pricing is as much, if not more, than what we're paying for ShareFile. The access control level is better with ShareFile, so we chose to stay with them.

I am a one person office. I have no idea how this software would scale to a larger office.

Incentivized

• All of our clients and consulting engineers find ShareFile easy to use, thus complementing our business.
• Our staff also find ShareFile intuitive, accessible, and easy to use, making it an ideal, everyday indispensable desktop tool for everyone in our company.
• ShareFile can be linked to our firm's primary website as a placed for private use. We haven't found need for this yet, but might in the future.

Incentivized

• Positive - Significantly reduced time searching for files that correspond to audit requests
• Positive - Reduced time creating list(s) of open items or documents that remain needed from the client, as the portal serves as a "live" request list
• Positive - Integration with EXCEL for PBC lists of items needed, which removes the need for a special format list to import correctly

Incentivized