Get networked storage instantly
No configuration, hardware, or purchase required
When you look at the file storage market, there are many options available for users to store and share their data. But, there is a missing piece. A user's journey to add a shareable drive on their computers requires purchasing, configuring and maintaining a server or a network attached storage.
The approach of no purchase, no configuration, no maintenance required in the shareable drive market is unheard off. As every one assumes, those are the steps required to be able to get a networked storage. This has prohibited many users in getting one and also has limited the scope of its usage. A networked storage is an extension of local system storage just like an external USB drive. It can be shared across computers in a network. If that network is public internet, the storage can be shared with anyone, anywhere.
We have designed a system that makes it possible to offer networked storage as a service over public internet. We are calling it Mantyl in reference to Earth's mantle, the largest by volume. Mantyl is a desktop app that can be installed on laptops and servers to get networked storage.
Easy to use
We authenticate users via OTP sent to their email address. This makes it very easy for users to sign in and give access to others. To add more users to the drive, only their email address needs to be added. If they are first time users, they get an OTP to sign in, set the password and access the drive. For existing users, the drive is added the next time they open the app.
Users are initially provided with a single drive for the entire networked storage. But additional drives can be created. The files stored in each drive is separate, and each drive can be shared with different sets of users. This can be useful to organize files by projects, teams, clients, tasks and so on.
Keeps it simple
Drives will appear directly in native file managers such as Explorer (Windows), Finder (macOS), and Nautilus (Ubuntu). This makes it straight forward to find files and open them in their respective apps.
With ref-links feature, when users copy files, both copies will share the same space, so no space is wasted. This allows users to copy a folder with 100s of images, for example, and organize them while keeping the original content safe.
Versatile
Apps are available for all major platforms so that users can access their files on any of their devices. Additionally, using the command line interface, software developers can use the drive on their laptops, virtual machines and servers all at once. This allows for easy transfer of files and simplifies workflows such as report downloads and file submissions.
Even links can be created to send out files. A preview of the original file will be shown, such as images and videos at their full resolution, with an option to download the file. Private links are also possible, they will require an OTP to be entered by the user.
The potential use of a networked storage is many. When you are low on disk space, the ability to get more space just by installing an app is convenient. It avoids the need to backup files to free up space, or moving them to an external USB drive.
We talk about various such use cases and new features under development in this publication. Subscribe to stay updated and learn more about Mantyl.