If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Many of the state’s older mainframes still relied on COBOL, a coding language over 60 years old that few modern programmers are familiar with. This wasn’t a pressing issue—until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
Suddenly, thousands of people needed to apply for unemployment benefits, but the outdated systems couldn’t handle the demand. The result? A full-blown crisis. With no prior modernization efforts to fall back on, the state government had no choice but to publicly seek volunteers to help get the systems running again.
Unfortunately, by the time integration and modernization became priorities, the damage had already been done: Employee morale plummeted, customer trust eroded and the state’s agility was severely impacted. It was a costly lesson; however, it helped everyone gain a clearer understanding of why integration is crucial.
As experts in file transfer integration, we’ve created this blog to explain what it is and highlight its key benefits.
What Is File Transfer Integration?
Let’s start by clarifying what managed file transfer (MFT) solutions are. MFT solutions provide capabilities for both ad hoc file sharing and automated file transfers, whether within an organization or between external partners. They simplify and secure the file exchange process while offering a centralized platform for administrators to create, manage and monitor file exchanges.
File Transfer Integration Challenges & Solutions
Effective file transfer integration is essential for modern businesses, yet it often presents significant challenges that can disrupt operations and hinder growth. Below are three examples of the challenges organizations face in file transfer integration, along with their solutions:
Example 1: Connecting with an Integration Platform
Challenge
A retailer recently implemented a new iPaaS to streamline the connection between its data and applications. However, the company continues to rely on SFTP servers for file transfers, which has become a source of frustration for the IT team. These servers provide little visibility, leaving the team in the dark about whether files have been successfully delivered. When issues arise, they are forced to sift through logs—a tedious and time-consuming process.
Recognizing that the iPaaS isn’t designed for file transfer, the IT team realizes that phasing out their SFTP servers in favor of the iPaaS alone would require creating point-to-point connections for each partner and manually coding guaranteed delivery into every workflow. Instead, they decide to explore a more robust file transfer solution to address these challenges.
Solution
The IT team selects an MFT solution that seamlessly integrates with their iPaaS and enhances its capabilities. With built-in features like guaranteed delivery and persistence, the MFT solution not only meets their technical requirements but also significantly improves overall business agility. By reducing development time, simplifying and stabilizing partner configurations and improving communication with partners, the organization is able to streamline operations, minimize errors and maintain strong, reliable connections with its network of stakeholders.
Example 2: Client/Server Connectivity
Challenge
A manufacturer relies on SFTP servers to transfer files to its distributors daily. Its distributors use a mix of FTPS and SFTP servers and clients. Similar to the retailer example above, the manufacturer also struggles with lack of visibility and control over its file transfers. To address these issues, it seeks a new file transfer solution that provides better oversight without requiring its partners to change their existing endpoints.
Solution
The manufacturer chooses an MFT solution that supports multiple protocols and offers both client and server functionality. This allows the company to gain full visibility and control over file transfers without altering the way transfers are executed. Partners continue to use their existing systems without any disruption, ensuring a seamless experience. At the same time, the manufacturer can easily meet its business and security requirements, creating a more efficient and secure file transfer process that aligns with its operational goals.
Example 3: Connecting to Other Applications via APIs
Challenge
A bank uses security information and event management (SIEM) software to display all its applications’ alerts and metrics in one dashboard. However, alerts from its MFT software are still not included in the SIEM dashboard. To track those alerts, emails and phones are manually monitored.
Solution
The bank adopts an MFT solution with an API that integrates with its SIEM software. The API enables the SIEM to search and retrieve alerts from the MFT solution, consolidating this critical information into the SIEM’s centralized dashboard. As a result, the bank gains increased visibility into file transfers, allowing the IT team to monitor activity more effectively. This integration not only enhances oversight but also improves IT team efficiency by streamlining workflows and reducing the time spent tracking and resolving transfer-related issues.
Benefits of File Transfer Integration
Adopting file transfer integration for your iPaaS simplifies the movement of files across different systems and results in several key benefits for your business:
- Guaranteed Delivery with Persistence
Most iPaaS are built with no or limited persistence, meaning that they can’t store files until delivery. MFT has persistence and can ensure files reach their destination reliably, reducing errors and minimizing disruptions to critical workflows. - Enhanced Visibility and Monitoring
Gain real-time insights into file transfer status with centralized dashboards, making it easier to track, troubleshoot and maintain compliance. - Large Payload Capability
Handle high volumes of data transfers across multiple endpoints without overloading your systems or creating bottlenecks. - Any-to-Any Capability
Enable smooth data flow between applications, platforms and endpoints, even if they use different protocols or formats. - Improved Efficiency
Automate file transfer processes to eliminate manual tasks, speed up workflows and reduce the risk of human error. - Secure Transfers
Protect sensitive data with built-in encryption, access controls and compliance with industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA or SOC 2. - Simplified Partner Onboarding
Seamlessly connect with partners and systems using pre-built or custom connectors without requiring major changes to existing endpoints. - Reduced IT Burden
Free up IT resources by replacing time-consuming custom coding with flexible, easy-to-manage file transfer integrations.
Don’t Wait for File Transfer Integrations to Break!
When it comes to integration, there are two options:
- Wait until a rare event forces a rushed integration, risking significant damage to customer trust and operational efficiency.
- Proactively integrate systems to ensure readiness for unexpected events while maintaining agility.
Fix File Transfer Integrations Before They Fail
Thru’s cloud-native MFT solutions provide a wide range of integrations. Our certified connectors for Boomi and MuleSoft preserve the core strengths of iPaaS while adding guaranteed delivery, enhanced visibility and any-to-any file transfer capability. Our connectors for Outlook and Salesforce eliminate file size send limits, offer comprehensive audit capabilities and integrate seamlessly without disrupting the user experience. Additionally, Thru offers APIs that enable custom-built connectors for real-time, API-based data integration.
By combining the strengths of Thru’s MFT and your iPaaS, your business can achieve greater agility, reliability and scalability while streamlining processes and maintaining high standards of security and compliance. To learn more about how Thru can help your company achieve an integrated IT ecosystem, visit our file transfer integration page »
New Jersey needs volunteers who know COBOL, a 60-year-old programming language
Unemployment checks are being held up by a coding language almost nobody knows
