The Punch WebDrive Sync Engine is an automated, Web-based backup and synchronization utility which enables corporations and individuals to effortlessly and continuously keep their files synchronized on multiple computers. The engine simultaneously synchronizes those files to a user's secure private WebDrive within the company's flagship online service, Punch WebGroups. The Sync Engine can be installed immediately from the company's website at http://www.punchnetworks.com.

"Presuming at least occasional access to an Internet connection, I would challenge anybody to find an easier or more secure way to get files from one computer to another computer anywhere in the world", said David Campbell, Chairman, President, and Founder of Punch Networks.

Groundbreaking Solution
With 122 million U.S. households on the Internet (Nielsen/NetRatings statistics) and at least 26 million people regularly using the Internet at home or work ("A Nation Online: How Americans Are Expanding Their Use of the Internet", The National Telecommunications and Information Administration), the Internet has become one of the most successful and ubiquitous communication and information sharing networks in the world.

Despite the unprecedented adoption rate and widespread use of the Internet, however, millions of people still rely upon floppy discs or more recently, re-writeable CDs, to get files from home to work or school. Physical disks are not only cumbersome, but also introduce potential security risks if a disk is lost or stolen, or even outright data loss if a disk becomes damaged.

Realizing the drawbacks of physical storage media, many people transport data by sending themselves emails with file attachments. This practice places extraordinary strain on email servers and, in many cases, fails due to email server restriction policies and file size limitations.

Punch Networks' Punch WebDrive Sync Engine, by contrast, allows individuals to effortlessly synchronize all of their important files on their computers automatically. What's more, the files are synchronized using the Punch WebGroups service as an intermediary relay, making them available when users are away from their computers altogether, or when the user needs to access the files from alternative OS platforms such as Macintosh, Linux or Solaris.

Convenient and Practical
The Punch WebDrive Sync Engine is easy to install and use while offering the best levels of reliability. Features of the Punch WebDrive Sync Engine include:

• Easy to Install: Install the Sync Engine with as few as four mouse clicks, without having to reboot your PC. No additional hardware or software is required to immediately begin synchronizing with the Punch WebDrive in your Punch WebGroups account
• Easy to Use: The Sync Engine is always running, watching for any new, modified, or deleted files and folders. If any changes are detected the Sync Engine will then automatically synchronize these changes up to the Internet.
• Easy to Control: The Sync Engine automatically synchronizes on a periodic basis, however if you are in a hurry you can instantly synchronize manually by double clicking the Punch WebDrive Icon in your Windows system Tray. To adjust the various settings for the Sync Engine, simply right-mouse-click on this icon to display a menu of options and settings.
• Works offline: Because all of the files are synchronized locally, they are always available. When you are not online, the Sync Engine still diligently monitors for any activity, which it will automatically synchronize for you once you have reconnected to the network.
• Reliable: Although the Sync Engine is a new commercial product, the technology behind it is established and thoroughly tested. The Sync Engine relies upon Punch WebGroups and the Punch Paris Server, which have been deployed commercially since 1999.

About Punch WebGroups
Punch WebGroups was the Internet's first online storage service (first launched on Excite.com in 1999) and is now one of the Internet's largest and most secure file storage, synchronization and collaboration services. With over 145,000 customers in 68 countries, WebGroups serves companies ranging in size from less than 10 employees to the Fortune 500 and the United States military.

Going beyond simple Web file storage, Punch WebGroups offers document management features typically only found in high-end groupware document management systems, including version tracking, four levels of user authorities, member activity audit trails, check-in/out, change notification, and automated updating of user files on their hard drives with only new or updated files.

About Punch Networks
Founded in 1995 in Seattle, Washington, Punch Networks is a global leader in secure Web-based file storage, collaboration and synchronization. Most of Punch Networks technology can be experienced directly over the web through its flagship retail service, Punch WebGroups. Punch Networks licenses Punch WebGroups as a retail or wholesale service provider and licenses the WebGroups' core Paris Server to companies and organizations for installation on their own networks. Punch Networks also has a full suite of client and server Software Development Kits and Application Programming Interfaces to allow third party developers to directly integrate many of the secure file storage and distributed synchronization features of the Paris Server into their own applications. For more information, visit http://www.punchnetworks.com, email info@punchnetworks.com, or call (206) 343-7661.