December 2016 Summaries

Box's Content API has been updated to support file-level collaborations, allowing users to set permissions and share individual files without granting access to entire folders. This enhancement enables more granular access control, which is particularly useful in scenarios requiring selective sharing, such as allowing a patient to share a single medical document with a healthcare provider. The API update also supports Box Notes, Box's collaborative note-taking tool, by enabling users to share individual notes without granting access to the containing folder. This reduces friction in collaborative workflows by allowing users to add others as collaborators directly to a file. The API uses a simple POST request to create collaborations, specifying the file, user or group, and the desired permission level. This change aims to enhance security and privacy while facilitating easier collaboration.

Box has announced the availability of Box Zones in Canada, expanding its service to Montreal to help Canadian organizations address data privacy and residency concerns when migrating to the cloud. This expansion is part of Box's efforts to simplify cloud adoption by offering features like Box KeySafe for managing encryption keys and Box Governance for applying document retention and legal holds. With Box Zones, companies can store data in various global locations, including Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and will soon be able to select specific infrastructure partners such as Amazon Web Services and IBM Cloud. This initiative is aimed at equipping organizations worldwide with the necessary tools to harness cloud capabilities while ensuring data security and compliance. A webinar titled "O Canada: Box Zones Keeps Your Data at Home" will provide further insights into how Box facilitates collaboration while maintaining data residency in Canada.

As the new year approaches, the Box Blog highlights work habits to leave behind, encouraging a shift towards more modern, digital practices. It advises against emailing large attachments due to size limits, downloading large files that can cause computer crashes, and using outdated software from CDs. The piece promotes cloud storage, emphasizes the importance of effective version control, and suggests eliminating paper-based communication like interoffice mail to save resources. It also discourages reliance on USB sticks and advocates for digital signatures over manual ones, while recommending abandoning scanning and faxing in favor of more efficient digital methods. Finally, it questions the necessity of marking emails as "high importance," suggesting that all communications should be considered significant. Overall, the article suggests that adopting these new practices will facilitate seamless collaboration and efficiency in the workplace.

Box Shuttle, now generally available, is a service designed to facilitate the migration of large volumes of data from on-premise and disparate cloud systems to Box, helping businesses transition efficiently to the cloud. After its beta phase, which assisted numerous organizations in transferring terabytes of data, Box Shuttle has proven effective in standardizing files, reducing risks, and ensuring faster outcomes. It has been recognized as the Best Business Application of 2016 for its ability to support companies, including those with significant data like a pharmaceutical firm with over 130 terabytes, by providing tailored migration plans. Box Shuttle aids in replacing legacy storage systems, enhancing productivity, and maintaining data governance, as demonstrated by its use in both a small architecture firm and the legal department of a Fortune 500 company. Interested businesses can learn more through webinars or contact sales representatives to explore the introductory pricing of this award-winning service.

Box, a cloud content management platform, offers several small yet impactful features that enhance user productivity and collaboration. These include access stats, which allow users like Jenica Blechschmidt to track document usage and focus on valuable content, and the collaboration invite link, which simplifies adding multiple collaborators to a folder, as highlighted by Jessica Fain. Ketki Duvvuru appreciates the ability to collaborate with pre-defined groups, making it easy to share work and onboard new team members. Nicole Salzman values Box Edit for enabling quick document edits without the need to download and re-upload, while Justin Peng finds Box Notes essential for creating and sharing collaborative documents, with the added convenience of mobile access and upcoming desktop features. These features, though small, significantly streamline workflows and enhance team collaboration within Box.

PocketScience Companion enables Box users to transform their folders into customizable branded mobile applications, enhancing sales, marketing, and internal operations with the security and control offered by Box content. By pointing PocketScience Companion to a Box folder, updates are automatically reflected in the app, which can be tailored to deliver unique brand experiences. This solution is particularly beneficial for businesses seeking a branded app, with design assistance available from PocketScience. An example is Reebok, which uses the PocketScience Companion to replace static product catalogs with a dynamic interface that synchronizes their product line, including shoes, apparel, and accessories, through engaging multimedia content.

The newly released Box app for iOS offers a completely rebuilt user experience, leveraging iOS mobile SDKs to enhance productivity from anywhere. With features like quick access to recent and favorite files, users can seamlessly find and work on content across multiple projects. The app provides a delightful media experience, allowing previews of over 200 file types without downloading, and soon will support 3D images and HD videos. Users can easily edit documents, create Box Notes with minimal clicks, and mark content for offline access. Sharing capabilities are enhanced, enabling control over who can access files and the ability to leave comments for immediate feedback. The app is designed for a diverse user base, including companies like Eli Lilly and General Electric, to streamline workflow on the go, whether accessing files, editing presentations, or approving contracts. The app is available for download from the iTunes Store, with further enhancements expected in 2017.

At Amazon Re:Invent, Box collaborated with Kony and Amazon Web Services to showcase a mobile field worker enablement application, leveraging AWS services such as Cognito, DynamoDB, and Lambda alongside Clarifai’s Image Recognition API and Kony’s mobile app development tools. This application, built using Box Platform’s content management and collaboration APIs, is designed to aid field employees like risk engineers and retail associates by providing access to necessary content and enabling seamless content generation and business workflows. The demonstration highlighted how the application allows field workers to capture and process machinery photos, with Clarifai's API identifying the images and retrieving related content from Box, which can range from static documents to interactive 3D models. The session underscored the potential of integrating third-party APIs and development tools to simplify the creation of complex, enterprise-grade applications, offering a streamlined process for businesses to enhance user experiences while focusing on their core competencies.

Box and Microsoft have expanded their collaboration to enhance the integration of Microsoft Office with Box, a widely-used cloud storage service. This collaboration introduces new features, including the ability to set Box as the default cloud service for Office on Android, enabling users to access and edit Box files directly from Microsoft's mobile apps. Box users can now create Office documents within the Box Android app and save new files to Box without leaving Office Online, streamlining the workflow for businesses such as Schneider Electric and GE. Additionally, Box has improved the Excel file experience by integrating Microsoft's new Excel previewer technology, allowing users to search, sort, and preview Excel files directly in Box without downloading them. These advancements are part of an ongoing effort to refine existing integrations and innovate further, with future developments expected to enhance collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams.