Security, Software, Features:

Security is becoming increasingly important these days. One area I think we need more security in is Flash Drives. I carry around a flash drive all the time with me and If I lost it, I would lose some private data. Its necessary for me to have encryption on it. Fortunately I have rigged mine to explode if someone other than me touches it (hah whoa just kidding).

Seriously though, the Xkey take a lot of measures to keep your data private. In fact I believe their flash drive is probably one of the most secure out of all the drives I have seen.

When you insert the Xkey into your USB port, it pops up with a screen asking you for your password.

Ignore the jellyfish they are on my computer.
They just came out to see the new technology.

When you enter your password the Xkey proceeds to do the following.

Disable and Neutralize any present Key Loggers or Spyware.

Initialize "Zero Traces" Mode

UnEncrypts the 128-bit AES encrypted database.

Secures communications with your Microsoft Exchange Server through SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

It has even more security features that I don't have the time to mention here but they include things like the Xkey being a token for 2-factor authentication and when you remove the Xkey it has a method of securely terminating all Exchange sessions.

The Xkey runs through your Internet browser when you are using its exchange client. Thats what the Zero Traces mode is for, it stealthily wipes away all traces or records of anything youve done from the temporary Internet files, attachments you've opened, Browser history and cookies. ( it doesn't delete anything but what it leaves behind , not your good links or other history)

I could go into a lot more detail on the security features but I cant write that many more pages. There will be links to more info at the end of the review.

Software:

There is a lot the software can do but I will try to be brief. Ill use some info from the Technical Manual for detail, then sum it up and let you know how it worked.

XKEY EXCHANGE CLIENT
The Xkey Exchange client is a hybrid solution that combines the advantages of the two methods of communicating with Exchange, in a manner optimized for work from unknown machines.

Xkey uses the resident browser as its front end for displaying Exchange data, therefore requiring no installation on the client machine. In addition, Xkey communicates with the front-end Exchange server using HTTP/HTTPS, enabling it to operate behind firewalls and eliminating the latency problems associated with MAPI. At the same time, Xkey runs a full-fledged database for storing Exchange data offline, enabling both pure offline work and highly optimized work when online.
Online Mode : Xkey provides full Exchange functionality when online:
• E-mail: Full access to e-mails in all folders, receiving new e-mails, composing and sending new e-mails.

• Calendar: Full access to the Exchange Calendar, including setting and sending new meetings, and full access to all available network calendars.

• Contacts: Full access to Exchange Contacts.

• Tasks: Full access to Exchange Tasks.

• Server-side rules: Ability to create and edit server-side rules (such as Out of the Office messages and folder rules).

• Global Address List

• Public Folders: Access to all corporate public folders.

• Signatures and spell-checking functionality (When using the Exchange 2003 Server).

Offline Mode :Xkey offers a rich subset of Exchange features in Offline mode:
• E-mail: Full access to e-mails (including attachments) in the Inbox and any other folders set to be synchronized for offline use. Newly created/deleted e-mails are synchronized whenever an Internet connection is available.

• Calendar: Full access to the Exchange Calendar. Newly created/deleted appointments and meetings are synchronized when an Internet connection is available. (Note that attendee availability is not available offline.)

• Contacts: Full access to Exchange Contacts, including all contacts and addresses in sent messages.

Alrighty, so what we want to know is, does it do what its supposed to do? I can say that yes it does, it does it quite well.

The speed at which the Xkey Exchange Client runs is quite fast, it synchronizes quickly and securely. Key-Computing provided a Exchange server for me to remotely synchronize with and test out all the functions.

I found absolutely no problems with the software, there are too many options and configurations to discuss. Also its very simple to use, even though I am not a pro with MS Exchange I was able to use all the functions.

Heres what the Client looks like

Looks great!

Conclusion:

The Xkey 2.0 Exchange Edition is not just a Flash Storage Device, its purpose is to enable remote employees to synchronize their Microsoft Exchange files and work from wherever they may be, securely and smoothly.

It performs exactly as it is supposed to, is very quick and provides reliable security for Exchange users. An ample amount of storage and good looks. The only thing I could find that I did not like was some of the physical design elements, but they are easily remedied.

If you are a user of Microsoft Exchange and could use the range of features and level of security that the Xkey 2.0 provides. Then this is definitely worth the money.

Visit the Key-Computing web site for more information, they generously provided this item for our In-Depth review.

For you geeks who want more info on the technical stuff
there is a technical manual and papers available at
http://www.key-computing.com/exchange_edition.asp

If you wish to purchase one of these they are available at 
www.Key-Computing.com

PROS

• Extreme Security Measures

• Very Reliable

• Professional Business Style

• Quality Made

• Only remote MS Exchange flash driveserver with combo of security and features.

CONS

• Metal handle comes off if your not careful, Design of Cap

SCORES:

Design Quality:   4
Style:                  5
Performance:      5

Price:                  5

The only reason this got a 4 in Design Quality is for
the metal handle and cap issue.