Program for Synchronizing folders across multiple computers automatically

Question

I work in a company of about 20 people, I need to share some files with all of them in a folder(s) (files are constantly changed by me).., so they need to get the latest changed file automatically (pushed to their computer) What's the best program/system for this task?

I need to be able to administrate their read/write access to the folder on a user level.

Windows Live Mesh seemed to be perfect for me, but unfortunatly there's a limit of only 9 people in that system.

Answer 1

Windows Live Mesh

+ Sync directly without paying for the intermediate data storage (at last)
+ Delta sync
+ Sync with friends (no read-only though)
+ Simple UI
+ Good indication of what it's doing and which files are stuck (though still
  not always, but the competition seems to think this is altogether irrelevant
  to the user)

- Arbitrary limitations on the number of folders (10), number of files per sync
- Online storage is fixed at 5GB, and can't be expanded even if you want to pay

Syncplicity

+ Share with other registered users or just yourself
+ Access rights for other users: read-only or read-write

- No delta-sync. Contrary to what Syncplicity is trying to convince me of,
  yes I DO need it. Every time I change an MP3 tag or an IPTC tag on a
  few hundred files.
- Sometimes says things are synced when they aren't.

SugarSync

+ A bit more options in the UI
+ Delta sync

- Can't sync with other users; only with self, i.e. every PC has full
  access to all shared folders.

DropBox

+ Very simple to use
+ DeltaSync
+ Seems to fit the needs of 99% of people who want sync. Just not me...

- Too simplified: can't even sync my D:\Photo folder; insists on it
  being called D:\DropBox or D:\Photo\DropBox. And I have 5 others
  I want synced.

SpiderOak

- There were a few things I thought were too dumb in the UI.

? Try it for yourself, not much experience with this one.

JungleDisk

+ Great for backups

- Sync feature is very primitive, not being the main feature. Only syncs
  local HDD folders with the online disk.

None of these have:

• Any way to properly set up the initial sync on a mostly-synced PC. All of them will just mush the two together. There is no way to say "hey, this one is the proper copy and this one needs to be made the same".
• A powerful conflict resolution mechanism. I have to clean out duplicate crap files all the time.
• Full progress indication on the computer receiving files.

P.S. Please point out any mistakes and I'll correct them; I haven't used some of these as much as others.

Answer 2

A really nice option is Dropbox. It works across network boundaries and runs nicely one the large 3 OSs.

Answer 3

Jet make it network share, and set up NTFS/sharing permissions on the server.

Answer 4

I've used every option mentioned in romkyns answer and agree completely with his assessments.

An option that does everything you're looking for is PowerFolder It has by far the best syncing infrastructure and allows for P2P between users across the internet if desired. That, coupled with awesome conflict resolution can't really be beat.

It's only downfall is "Ease of setup". It's not necessarily difficult to get up and running, but to set up more advanced features like private P2P can be tough. They have a great help wiki and more often then not you can live chat with support if you have an issue.

Powerfolder is a massively under appreciated application in this space.