Box improves cloud storage upload speed for enterprise customers

Enterprise users of Box's file sharing and cloud storage service will now be able to upload files faster thanks to a new global data-transfer network the company has implemented.

The network, which Box calls Accelerator, will be offered to the company's customers that use the Business and Enterprise versions of the service.

The network has geographically distributed upload endpoints, featuring end-to-end encryption as well as patent-pending routing and optimisation technology, letting Box process uploads at a speed up to 10 times faster than currently possible.

"From an end user perspective, this is moving the needle," said Jeff Queisser, vice president of technical operations at Box.

Customers don't have to do anything on their end to take advantage of the faster upload speeds, nor will they have to pay extra.

Later on, Box Accelerator will be used to boost other functions, including downloads, he said.

Box also announced yesterday the appointment of David Quantrell as general manager of the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. Quantrell has led European operations for several large IT vendors, including McAfee and Nortel.

Box has doubled its customer base in Europe in the past year and recently opened its European headquarters in London.

The company based in Los Altos, California, is also using part of a recent $125 million funding round to boost its international expansion.

Box's cloud service is used more than 125,000 businesses, including 92% of the Fortune 500. Clients include Procter & Gamble, DirecTV, Dreamworks and Red Bull. Box competitors include pure-play companies like Egnyte, YouSendIt and SugarSync, as well as bigger cloud collaboration players like Microsoft and Google with their SkyDrive and Google Drive services, respectively.