How a Global Appliance Manufacturer Enabled VPN-Free Collaboration and Stronger Data Security

Modern appliance manufacturing isn’t just about production lines—it’s about fast-moving collaboration between engineering, operations, sales, and suppliers across multiple regions. For one appliance assembly and sales company with nationwide operations and overseas collaboration, data management became a daily bottleneck.

They needed a better way to share files, protect sensitive information, and keep projects moving—without relying on VPNs or risking version confusion and data loss.

The real-world challenge: cross-border file access, slow networks, and security risk

This organization faced a combination of issues that many manufacturers will recognize:

• International collaboration hurdles (especially for users in regions where common cloud services may be unreliable or inaccessible)

• Poor or inconsistent connectivity made large file access frustrating and unpredictable

• Version confusion and accidental overwrites when multiple teams worked on the same documents

• Security concerns around sensitive internal files, user access, and data loss

• Limited visibility into who accessed what, when, and from where

They weren’t simply looking for “file sharing.” They needed a cloud file server experience with enterprise-grade control and auditing—while keeping workflows simple for end users.

What they looked for in a solution

After evaluating options and realizing that typical consumer-grade platforms weren’t a fit for their environment, the team narrowed their requirements to a few must-haves:

• VPN-free access, including reliable access for users working in China

• Version control to reduce rework and eliminate “which file is latest?” confusion

• File locking to support simultaneous work and prevent overwrites

• Offline access for productivity during travel or unreliable internet periods

• Granular permissions at folder and user levels

• Two-factor authentication (2FA) and stronger safeguards for sensitive data

• Detailed activity monitoring and auditing for accountability and compliance

• Business intelligence integration, including Microsoft BI, for reporting and insight

The approach: a cloud file server built for control and productivity

They implemented CentreStack as the foundation for their cloud file server strategy—designed to support modern, distributed work without sacrificing governance.

CentreStack helped them deliver a consistent, secure way to access company files across locations while layering in the protections that manufacturing and operations teams need:

• Built-in version control to protect against accidental changes and enable fast recovery

• File locking to reduce conflicts when multiple users collaborate

• Offline access so teams can stay productive even with unstable connectivity

• Granular permission settings so access aligns to roles and responsibilities

• 2FA and security controls to reduce unauthorized access risk

• Detailed activity monitoring so administrators can track usage and respond faster

• Remote data wipe capabilities to reduce exposure when devices are lost or offboarded

• Microsoft BI integration to connect file-based workflows with operational analytics

Just as importantly, the VPN-free design meant international users could collaborate more reliably—without the friction and performance penalties of VPN dependency.

The outcome: stronger governance, smoother collaboration, and less operational drag

Once the solution was in place, the organization saw meaningful improvements across both productivity and control:

• Better access across multiple office locations, including overseas collaboration

• Fewer file conflicts and less time wasted on rework or duplicate versions

• Improved security posture, with tighter controls and better monitoring

• More confidence in data integrity, supported by versioning and auditing

• Operational efficiency gains driven by reduced friction in everyday workflows

Instead of forcing teams to work around technology limitations, the company moved to a system that supported how they actually operate—across borders, time zones, and varying network conditions.

Why this matters for manufacturers and distributed teams

Appliance manufacturing (and manufacturing overall) often depends on fast coordination across engineering files, documentation, procurement records, and operational reporting. When file access is slow, inconsistent, or insecure, the impact shows up everywhere: missed deadlines, duplicated work, and higher risk.

A cloud file server approach like CentreStack can be a blueprint for organizations that need:

• VPN-free collaboration across challenging regions

• Stronger control than consumer cloud storage can provide

• Secure access without sacrificing user experience

• Auditing and governance that support accountability

Call to action

If your organization is juggling international collaboration, permission control, and data security—especially in regions where VPN-based access creates friction—CentreStack can help you modernize file access without losing control.

Reach out to explore a deployment approach that fits your workflows, security requirements, and distributed teams.