(iTers News) - Telstra announced today it would enter into a commercial agreement with innovative US-based technology company Box to offer secure file-sharing and collaboration solutions for the Australian business, enterprise and government market.

Telstra Ventures Managing Director, Mark Sherman, said the agreement with Box would enhance Telstra’s growing cloud business and to drive more value from our core network.

“Box offers a world leading collaboration capability for file-sharing and synchronisation services,” Mr Sherman said.

“Customers are harnessing the power of cloud, social and mobility in their desire to increasingly collaborate not only within their own business, but also with vendors, business partners, investors and other 3rd party providers. In the past, the challenge was maintaining control of file access and user privileges through the collaboration process.

“With Box, we will have the tools to overcome those issues. Additionally, using Box on Telstra’s mobile network means customers can enjoy a faster and more reliable experience when accessing and collaborating with files on smart phones and tablets.

“We know the traditional workspace and customer collaboration are undergoing a huge shift. They are moving from simple to complex, desktop to mobile, employees to partners and suppliers, so access to your files on the go is now becoming more and more important in the business world. Therefore solely using traditional inside-the-firewall platforms is becoming an outdated practice and customers are looking for secure cloud based solutions like Box”.

Box’s CEO and co-founder Aaron Levie said the combination of the cloud and post-PC devices is fundamentally changing the IT industry, creating new ways for people to work and collaborate at businesses of all sizes.

“This strategic relationship with Telstra is critical to our entering new regions and cultivating our ability to connect with customers everywhere and helping them manage the once-in-a-generation transition to the cloud,” Mr Levie said.

Telstra expects to offer Box to its Business and Enterprise customers in the coming months