WinZip is a utility for file management, compression, encryption, and backup. With banking-level security, it keeps files safe while optimizing storage space both locally and in the cloud. It also offers robust sharing options, automated backups, and PDF and image management capabilities to fuel workflows beyond compression.
Windows Server and Active Directory is very robust and stable, it has been a staple in every IT environment I have worked in during my career. Junior to Intermediate admins can learn Windows Server easily, the user interfaces make administration tasks very easy as well as the documentation available through a vast amount of resources. There are other Operating Systems available with no GUI which has a smaller attack surface, faster update installation and reboot time. Windows Server does have the ability to remove the desktop experience, however it is not something I have had experience with and I believe most administrators choose not to remove it.
The standard suite will work for most users, but you have to upgrade to the pro suite or the unlimited suite in order to get the cloud sharing for multiple accounts. So, if you are looking at just sending documents from one user to another user, the standard version will work, but if you are trying to use it as a calibration software, you will need to upgrade all users to the more expensive version to unlock those features.
As was previously mentioned one of the greatest strengths of the program is the versatility of using across multiple platforms or being able to open the corresponding zip files on multiple platforms without having to install additional software.
Another strength it has in the the graphical user interface (GUI). It is, and always has been, one of the better ones in the industry, as compared to other compression software.
Microsoft needs to minimize the update frequency by making the product more secure. It can become very exhausting trying to keep updated if you don't have a dedicated support team. It can become challenging where the business is unable to allow downtime for reboots as part of the update process.
Prone to security and audit vulnerabilities.
The operating system needs more CPU and memory resources compared to other options such as Linux.
Understanding the licensing model can be abit confusing.
Comes with a standard firewall, but not the most secured one available. Would suggest using a more secured firewall as part of your antivirus software.
Due to the number of vulnerabilities and the operating system being a target for hackers, anti-virus software is a must.
When the dashboard comes up, it is not always intuitive as to the location of where files are going when unzipping; you have to click on the file to have the dialog come up.
Password-protection usage is complex.
Fewer icons as the number of them can be confusing.
I've carefully reviewed the servers and services currently running on Windows Server 2012, and given the opportunity would renew them as is going forward. There are two systems I currently have in place, one is a very large Linux implementation for a large ecommerce site, and one is a very large backup solution front ended by FTP servers running Linux. Neither are well suited for Windows, but the overall network infrastructure is and will be Windows Server for the foreseeable future.
Because it is very easy to use, also have been using the product for ages not only within the company but personally, it's just very convenient to have in any system, it does not slow down my computer, it only takes a few minutes to set up and it's just compatible with almost any system
Anyone new to IT could easily use the familiar Desktop Experience (GUI) version because we all know how to use Windows, whether a client or server version. Once an IT user is more comfortable with the operating system, they can move on to the Core version, which is the way to go in almost all situations.
Its very easy to use! Not a lot of complicated mumbo jumbo, you can easily teach anyone how to use it. It's overall usability is high because nowadays, beside using the cloud, having a backup locally stored is also good and when backing up really large files, this can help save up space by being able to compress the files
Microsoft's support is hugely wide-ranging from articles online to having to contact them directly for the more serious issues. In recent years when I have contacted them directly, I have found the support o be excellent as I have found myself connected to very knowledgeable people in the field in which I needed the support. The online support available is vast and I tend to find most of the time that there is always someone out there who has had the same issue as me in the past and knows something about how to resolve it! This is the advantage of using industry standard and long-established systems such as Windows Server.
Listen, nobody can get a perfect 10 (just ask your boss at review time, you can't say you are a 10 because then you'd have nothing to strive for!). WinZip's Support team knows their product, which is a fantastic thing to hear, unlike when you call giant companies (Microsoft, Vipre, and Norton) and their turnaround in their support center is so disgusting that their Support team only knows how to read off of a script
Make sure that you have detailed processes in place for every server instance you plan to install/upgrade, if possible get the base OS loaded and Windows Updates applied ahead of time, and if using a VM take a snapshot prior to installing each role, as well as along the way.
They are different experiences, and while the other solutions offer enterprise-grade stability and, in some cases, address Windows server shortcomings (such as patching), they all do the trick, but the other solutions require a deeper technical background/configuration of items at the command line, which some people are not fully comfortable with.
7Zip is a freeware file compression software that does a lot of the same core functions as WinZip but lacks the cloud functions of WinZip. If you need to share extremely large encrypted zip files and don't mind paying, WinZip is a very powerful software and will get the job done.
