Pinion's desktop package is a simple, individual user-oriented digital rights management program. We tested the Workgroup Edition.
The product sits on the desktop and allows the user to package or, as Pinion calls it, "Pintect" a document. Once the file is encrypted and recipient rights are attached, it may be sent out. To open the document, the recipient needs the Pinion Receiver, which can be downloaded for free from the Pinion website.
Desktop Packager supports a broad array of file types, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes email messages and Cad applications such as Autodesk, Solidworks and PTC. In addition to encryption, other protections may be applied selectively to the document. Actions that can be prohibited include making a screen grab, cutting-and-pasting, copying the document or transferring the file to another user.
The user can limit the time the document is viewable. After that period of time the document will be destroyed. The user can also indicate the earliest date on which the document becomes accessible.
We found both the desktop packager and the receiver easy to install and it integrated seamlessly with our copy of Outlook. The receiver also went in well, although the download for the version we tested was fairly large and some of our computers required a restart after installation. Documents we Pintected were undamaged and we were able to view them easily according to the rules by which they were secured. When the allowed viewing periods expired, the document self-destructed and was not recoverable by any means.
Support is excellent, consisting of the web portal, a knowledge base, documents, case studies, email support and phone support during working hours. The documentation was simple and effective, with a quick reference guide available online and in PDF format, as well as a full online user guide. All documents are also included on the distribution CD.
If there is a downside to this product it's the price, which may keep it out of reach of most small companies.
