Now that you have all of your important documents scanned and filed it is easy to find them via a spotlight keyword search. But what about when you are away from  home?

I store copies of my files on DropBox but there is no content search option. To access a file I need to know it’s location and filename. The ability to enter keyword searches  as per spotlight is missing. I tried alternate ways via PogoPlug and Tonido but they are also limited in content file searches. I can use a VPN app such as Parallels of Logmein but that is  a clumsy way to obtain the information I need.

The only viable solution I have found is Presence (formerly called FarFinder). After installing the server software on your Mac you can then remote access your files via either a web interface, iPhone or iPad app.

Apart from being able to view your files via the file manager you can also run spotlight like keyword searches to locate the document that you are after. The searches will break down the results by a number of different categories including  PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, contacts and web history. The only type that it is missing is email messages. Search results can be viewed, emailed or downloaded to your remote device then opened in another app.

Presence is not a one trick pony as it has a number of other functions such as uploading and downloading of files to your remote device, enabling file sharing and taking photos via your isight camera remotely.

This app is definitely recommended  for all paperless office aficionados.