October 2018 Summaries

Box Drive is a tool designed to integrate cloud storage with desktop functionality, allowing users to access, share, and collaborate on files directly from their desktop without consuming local hard drive space. It streams all files from Box, enabling seamless file creation and editing through Windows Explorer or Mac Finder, with changes automatically saving to Box. Users can work offline by marking folders for offline access, and updates will sync once reconnected to the internet. The search function facilitates quick location of files within the vast content on Box, while collaborative features allow users to transform folders into shared workspaces, providing team members with access and visibility. This fosters efficient teamwork, as Box automatically saves previous file versions, ensuring easy reversion if necessary, and includes shared files in Drive, simplifying collaboration and productivity.

In 2017, Box introduced Box Skills at BoxWorks, a framework designed to integrate advanced AI and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies into their platform to harness the vast potential of unstructured data. Acknowledging the exponential growth of data and the challenges it presents, Box Skills allows businesses to apply AI/ML capabilities, such as image recognition and speech-to-text transcription, directly to their content stored in Box. This integration enables the extraction of valuable insights and metadata, which in turn enhances search functionality, automates business processes, and mitigates security risks. The Box Skills Kit, available in public beta, offers a developer toolkit that facilitates the creation of custom skills using third-party or proprietary AI/ML services, allowing enterprises to tailor AI applications to their specific needs, thereby streamlining workflows and elevating productivity.

Box has been recognized as a Visionary in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Content Services Platforms, reflecting its significant role in transforming digital operations and workplaces. Previously acknowledged as a leader in Content Collaboration Platforms, Box is celebrated for its cloud content management, which supports more than 87,000 businesses globally, including 69% of the Fortune 500. The platform is praised for its ease of use, extensive API, and ability to integrate seamlessly with existing business processes, offering a secure, centralized content management solution that is simpler than many alternatives. The positive feedback from industries such as government, manufacturing, and finance highlights Box's effectiveness in enhancing digital efficiency and collaboration, with an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Gartner Peer Insights. Box's strategic partnerships and ability to meet diverse digital business needs have solidified its position as a top performer in content services, with customers sharing success stories of leveraging Box to drive digital transformation and workplace innovation.

At the 2018 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference, Box will present updates on its cloud content management strategy, emphasizing collaborations that enhance campus experiences. Box for Education is increasingly facilitating secure collaboration among students, faculty, and staff, while supporting complex IT use cases. At booth #640, Box will showcase partnerships with Canon and other solutions, highlighting Canon's capabilities in intelligent capture and document management, and the integration of DocuSign for seamless document transactions. Carahsoft will assist with Internet2 contract migrations and provide insights on selecting cloud services. A conference session led by UC Berkeley and UNC Greensboro IT strategists will explore best practices for campus-vendor partnerships, with a focus on Box and Google collaborations. Box will also sponsor a community reception with Canon and DocuSign to discuss delivering innovative IT solutions amid challenges like security and budget constraints.

IBM and Box have announced a collaboration allowing joint customers in the US to utilize IBM Cloud Object Storage for their infrastructure needs, expanding on existing offerings in Europe and Canada. This partnership aims to enhance Box Cloud Content Management with IBM's durable storage, providing enterprises with robust data protection, native encryption, and customer key management. The integration supports significant compliance standards like ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, ensuring that customers meet stringent governance requirements. Additionally, the partnership focuses on leveraging cloud benefits while maintaining security and control, and it builds upon an AI strategy with IBM Watson, highlighted by the Box Skills Kit, to deliver tailored AI solutions and facilitate digital transformation across industries.

Box has teamed up with Google to integrate its services directly into the Gmail interface, offering a seamless experience for users who frequently collaborate via email. This integration, called Box for Gmail, allows users to attach Box files and download email attachments directly to Box without leaving Gmail. It leverages the Gmail add-on framework to facilitate easy permissions management and robust security for email attachments, ensuring critical content remains secure. The partnership with Google extends beyond Gmail, as Box has also integrated with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Hangouts Chat, and Google Cloud Platform, demonstrating a commitment to creating valuable innovations for shared customers. The integration can be easily set up through the G Suite Marketplace, although business users must have their Box and G Suite Admin Consoles configured appropriately.

Box.org is dedicated to enhancing the social impact of 7,000 nonprofit organizations by providing them with resources, including Box's cloud content management software, to innovate and fulfill their missions in areas like youth well-being, tech inclusion, and humanitarian aid. The organization encourages employee volunteering and donations, aligning with their values of Altruism, Community, and Technology. A recent initiative involved a collaboration with IfWhenHow.org, a nonprofit focused on reproductive justice, to enhance their efficiency using Box's technology. The project, driven by Box employees Sara Naegele and Sarah Sohn, addressed issues like folder structures and content sharing, resulting in a successful transformation that improved productivity. This initiative highlighted the importance of understanding customer needs through dialogue and demonstrated the potential for significant impact with minimal effort. The experience reinforced the commitment of Box.org to empower employees to pursue social missions and the value of integrating qualitative insights into data-driven approaches.

Box is hosting a Virtual Summit on November 15, focusing on the future of work and the role of intelligence and automation in digital transformation. The online event will feature keynotes, breakout sessions, partner showcases, and live demos, with opportunities for attendees to engage in live chats with the Box product team and partners. Notable sessions include a keynote by Box CEO Aaron Levie and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel discussing the latest innovations, a session on Box Admin tools and controls, and an exploration of Box Skills, which leverages machine learning to enhance content management. Additional sessions will cover strategic digital transformation and building a modern cloud stack that integrates with popular services like Salesforce and G Suite. Attendees can participate from anywhere and are eligible for giveaways, such as Bose headphones and Amazon gift cards, simply by registering and attending the summit.

Box is gearing up for the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2018 in Orlando, where digital transformation and the demands of a modern workplace are central themes. The event offers opportunities to engage with industry experts and explore innovative solutions for organizational challenges, emphasizing agility, real-time communication, and data-driven decision-making. Box highlights its role as a comprehensive content management platform that integrates with numerous applications, ensuring secure and compliant collaboration across industries. The conference will include sessions on the future of work, the role of machine learning in managing unstructured data, and leveraging AI to digitize business processes, underscoring the importance of these technologies in facilitating digital transformation.

Innovative companies globally are partnering with Box to enhance workplace collaboration and digital transformation, as celebrated in the Box 2018 Customer Awards at BoxWorks. NASA won "The Orchestration Award" for utilizing Box to streamline collaboration across various teams involved in space missions, while Intuit received "The Creative Destruction Award" for their innovative use of technology to improve business processes and create new opportunities. Warner Bros. was honored with "The Digital Transformation Award" for integrating Box into their creative processes, aiding in TV, film, and digital media production. These awards highlight the significant impact of Box's cloud platform in transforming business models and enhancing efficiency across industries.