Posts Tagged ‘back up files’

Cool Apps: GoAruna offers a cloud-storage option from any mobile device

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Looking for a cloud-based file-storing system that you can easily manage from your mobile phone? Look no further than GoAruna.

GoAruna is similar to Dropbox in that it allows you to store files “in the cloud” (aka, a secure location on the web), share and access them from anywhere with Internet connection.

Why would you need this? As highly mobile professionals, real estate agents should be utilizing cloud storage more than anyone. Cloud storage is not only the most secure way to back up files (i.e., no more losing your data in a computer hard drive meltdown or missing thumb drive), it’s also the best way to keep the working files you may need at any moment anywhere right at your fingertips.

More about GoAruna:

  • You can securely share files with anyone you choose, or allow others to share files with you.
  • On-the-go access to your files from just about any mobile device: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm WebOS, Windows Mobile, Symbian.
  • Multi-platform: seamlessly move from mobile phone to web client to native desktop apps to widgets. Pick your poison.
  • The native desktop app works with PC, Mac or Linux.
  • Send large files quickly
  • Security for your files. In other words, you won’t lose them when your computer malfunctions, your laptop is stolen or your property is destroyed in an accident of some kind.

If you don’t already have a cloud storage system that you’re happy with, then test-drive GoAruna. If you’re still sitting on a bunch of hard drives – or worse, CDs – with valuable information and contacts on them, you should definitely consider opening a cloud storage account of some kind. They’re not only free, they’re downright essential to protecting your data from destruction, theft or just ordinary misplacement.

And the next time you’re on the road all day showing houses and meeting clients, you can easily pull up whatever documents you need right from your smart phone.


Cool Apps: Dropbox for Seamless Syncing

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Par for the course in real estate sales is the mounds of contracts and files that pile up. And of course, you’re pressed for time and need to access these contracts while juggling a thousand other things and in your car all day.

Google Docs is pretty good for this. But if you need a little more under the hood then Dropbox is a fantastic option since it lets you sync between devices and platforms (attention: dual Windows and Mac users), while also enabling online access.

Think: anytime, anywhere access to your contracts and super easy file sharing. Think: you can drop a file in your Dropbox drive on your laptop and then pull it up on any smart phone later. Think: you can reduce a few dozen emails to your clients to a simple shared folder where you constantly update contracts and other files and communication.

And it’s free for up to 2 GB of storage – $9.99 per month for up to 50 GB (higher pricing tiers for even more storage).

Dropbox’s shared folder feature can be a lifesaver for agents who are tired of the constant paper shuffle back and forth via email. And with the added privacy of the service, you can feel more secure using this feature with your clients’ sensitive information.

Also, can you say automatic backup?  Yes, automatic online backup without you having to think about it.

Dropbox has been around for a few years, now with more than 4 million users. One thing you’ll notice after using it for awhile is that its users are kind of like Apple fanboys – raving fanatics. One of these users wrote a great article on LifeHacker about various ways to use Dropbox beyond your basic file sync. Use the service to sync passwords across PCs, control your computer remotely, or to access portable applications from any PC. Now that’s gettin’ geeky!

The company’s referral program probably helps in creating loyal users too. For every friend you refer to the service, you and the friend each get 250 MB of free storage added to your account.

So if you’re desperately searching for a way to simplify your life’s many files, devices and locations, try Dropbox. Then maybe you’ll be the next to discover a cool use no one’s even thought of yet.