bwSync&Share – Cloud Storage, File Sharing, and Collaboration
bwSync&Share is a cloud storage and file-sharing service operated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). All students and employees at Pforzheim University can use the service to store files online, sync them across different devices, share them with others, and collaborate on them.
Whether for group work, exchanging course materials, or collaborating on university projects—bwSync&Share makes it easier to access files and collaborate across different locations and devices.
What does bwSync&Share offer?
- Store and sync files: Store your files online and sync them with your computer. You can access your files via a web browser or a desktop client.
- Share files and folders: Share files and folders with students, colleagues, or external project partners. Use permissions to control who can access the content.
- Collaborate on documents: With the integrated online office suite, multiple people can edit Office documents simultaneously in the browser.
- Share files via links: Create shareable links to make files or folders accessible. For confidential content, it’s recommended to restrict access to specific individuals.
- Work across devices: Access your files from various devices via a web browser or a compatible desktop client.
How to get started
- Open bwSync&Share.
- Select Pforzheim University as your institution.
- Log in with your university account.
- If this is your first time using the service, complete the registration process and accept the terms of use.
Detailed instructions can be found in the official bwSync&Share Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can use bwSync&Share?
Students and staff at participating institutions, including Pforzheim University, can register for bwSync&Share using their university account. External users can be invited as guests to access shared files and folders.
2. How do I register for bwSync&Share?
Go to bwsyncandshare.kit.edu and select “Member of the bwSync&Share network” from the login options. Then select your university, log in with your university account, and follow the registration instructions.
3. How much storage space do I have?
Users from participating institutions receive 50 GB of storage space. Group administrators can increase this quota to up to 200 GB. Contact your university’s IT help desk if you need additional storage space.
4. Can I edit documents online together with others?
Yes. The integrated Nextcloud Office application, which is based on Collabora, allows multiple people to edit Office documents simultaneously in a web browser without having to download the files first. Simply click on the document’s name to open it.
5. How can I share files or folders with others?
Click the three-dot menu next to the file or folder and select “Share.” Enter the full name or email address of the person you want to share with. Alternatively, you can invite external users as guests or create a public sharing link. For public links, it’s recommended to set a password and an expiration date, if available. Sharing directly with specific people allows for better control over access.
6. Where can I get help with problems related to bwSync&Share?
If you have questions or technical issues, please contact your university’s IT help desk first. If the problem cannot be resolved there, the help desk can forward it to bwSync&Share’s second-level support. For more information, see the official bwSync&Share FAQs and help pages.
