Field Teams on iPads, Files on Your Server: Secure PDF Access Without VPN

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Field crews and inspectors don’t have time to drive back to the office just to look up a plan set, permit attachment, or GIS-related PDF. But giving remote access to file servers can quickly turn into a security and usability headache—especially when you’re trying to preserve NTFS permissions, avoid duplicating data, and keep everything compatible with existing workflows.

This is the story of a public-sector organization modernizing field operations by equipping staff with iPads—while keeping documents exactly where they belong: on the organization’s own file servers.

The challenge: iPads in the field, documents behind the firewall

The organization’s Department of Public Works teams, building inspectors, and GIS users relied on network-stored PDFs, drawings, and supporting assets to do their jobs. The problem wasn’t the quality of the information—it was access.

They needed a way to:

  • Open PDFs and project assets on iPads while on-site

  • Avoid VPN complexity that slows down field work and increases IT overhead

  • Preserve NTFS permissions and file integrity

  • Keep 100% file server compatibility—no “copy to cloud and hope it syncs” approach

  • Scale access as more teams adopted mobile workflows

They had already seen how traditional approaches can fall short: remote access that disrupts the user experience, permissions that don’t map cleanly, or solutions that require migrating data to a new structure that doesn’t align with how departments actually operate.

What they needed: secure HTTPS access that respects file server rules

The turning point came when they found a solution designed to publish file server access securely—without changing the underlying storage.

Instead of migrating files or creating shadow copies, the platform provided:

  • VPN-less access over HTTPS

  • A user-friendly experience on iPad for accessing network PDFs and assets

  • Full NTFS permission preservation so the right people see the right files

  • True file server compatibility to protect existing workflows and data integrity

This mattered most for GIS and field users who needed dependable access, not a “best effort” sync that might leave a critical attachment behind.

The solution: CentreStack for secure, mobile file server access

Using CentreStack, the organization enabled field personnel to securely access network-stored PDFs and related assets from iPads—without forcing a data migration and without weakening permission controls.

Key capabilities that made the difference:

VPN-less field access over HTTPS

Field users can access documents through a secure connection, reducing friction for mobile work while maintaining security standards.

NTFS permissions preserved end-to-end

Permissions stayed consistent with the file server, so IT didn’t need to reinvent access rules for mobile devices.

100% file server compatibility

The organization maintained file integrity and existing folder structures, avoiding disruptive changes that slow adoption.

Scalable, practical for government operations

As more teams adopted iPads, the model scaled without requiring a redesign of how files were stored or managed.

The outcome: faster work in the field, stronger control for IT

While the evaluation process was ongoing, the organization established a clear path to modernizing field operations without compromising security or governance.

The expected operational impact was straightforward:

  • Less downtime waiting for office-based access

  • Faster inspections and field decisions with PDFs and assets available on-site

  • Lower support burden by removing VPN friction

  • Improved security posture through permission-consistent access and HTTPS delivery

In public service environments, that combination—speed for field teams and control for IT—is the difference between “mobile access” as a pilot and “mobile access” as a reliable standard.

Why this approach matters for other public-sector teams

If your organization is rolling out tablets for inspections, DPW work orders, GIS workflows, or field documentation, the biggest risk isn’t the device—it’s the gap between mobile access and file server governance.

A solution that extends your file server securely, preserves NTFS permissions, and eliminates VPN friction can modernize field work without forcing a complete overhaul of your infrastructure.

Call to action

If you’re looking to enable secure, iPad-friendly access to file server PDFs and assets—without moving your data or weakening permissions—CentreStack can help. Reach out to see how a VPN-less, HTTPS-based approach can support your field teams while keeping IT firmly in control.

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