How to Automate and Integrate with Managed File Transfer

Manually transferring files through legacy protocols such as FTP is a painful memory you would probably like to forget. That's where Automation comes into play.For one, FTP is awash with hundreds of vulnerabilities as it transfers data in the open, unencrypted. And don’t even get me started on the horrors of manually creating multiple scripts, which could run an entire organization to the ground.

Moreover, data transfer systems no longer exist in a vacuum. A functional business file transfer should also integrate with a variety of third-party apps using APIs.

Enter Managed File Transfer: The Future of Business File Transfer

Data transfer across internal, external and private networks is necessary for business survival in this information age.

That said, having data transfer across endpoints is not enough. In fact, it’s the bare minimum by today’s standards.

Your firm probably transfers files recurrently, once or twice every week, day, month or at your custom time. For one or two files, this is easy, and your technicians can handle it manually.

However, doing this for hundreds of millions of files across multiple endpoints opens another can of worms. Manual file transfer is not only inefficient and labor-intensive, it’s also insecure.

These issues create the need for a platform that can unify, simplify and automate your data movements; a central point of truth that your firm can use to streamline file transfer. All these should happen in an abstracted and straightforward process that even a non-technician can handle.

That is Managed File Transfer (MFT) in a few words.

Reasons to Automate and Integrate with Managed File Transfer

Managed File Transfer is a platform that allows your firm to move files across multiple internal and external endpoints securely. 

You probably don’t have all day to hear all the pros of Managed File Transfer. However, its most notable ones include its security through industry-standard encryption, multiple integrations and scalability.

Though these are crucial, they are not the biggest selling points of Managed File Transfer. If you ever come to use Managed File Transfer, half of the reason is probably its ability to build and automate end-to-end workflows.

Some benefits of MFT automation include:

Cost Savings:

Mass file transfer is labor-intensive. You need quite a hefty workforce to manually transfer files across millions of endpoints and an equally heavy wage bill. With Managed File Transfer automation, you can automate these redundant processes and channel these resources to more productive aspects of your business. 

Regulatory Compliance:

Manual file transfer for dinner will always come with human error as a side dish. So long as you manually share data across thousands of endpoints, you will always be a few minor errors away from a major HIPAA, COPPA or GLBA violation.

Automating with MFT takes human error out of the equation. With Managed File Transfer, your firm can now pre-determine regulatory compliance reducing the risks of non-compliance significantly. 

Improved Efficiency:

Before Managed File Transfer, one could still ensure secure data transfer. However, this would come at the cost of inefficiency since your firm would have to run several parallel and siloed systems. 

Managed File Transfer provides efficiency by consolidating all requirements of secure data transfer in one place. Be it the analytics, notifications or security features, MFT offers a one-stop shop for all things file transfer.

Data Protection and Security:

Most data breaches occur during the transfer of files and data, 30% of which are insider attacks. That said, the fewer the people manually operating your file transfer, the lower the chances of a data breach. 

This is where Managed File Transfer automation comes in. It allows your firm to create self-operating workflows that are independent of manual operation, significantly reducing the chances of data breaches.

Customize Your File Sharing:

The days of one-size-fits-all file sharing solutions are long gone. Unlike FTP, having a Managed File Transfer platform enables your firm to fit your file transfer solution to your needs.

This includes everything from increasing your bandwidth, attaching new features and integrating more third-party programs, to name a few.

Scale Your Business File Transfer:

The most crucial selling point of Managed File Transfer automation is the ability it gives your firm to scale. Your file-sharing needs will not stay the same forever. Sometimes they will undergo gradual and rapid growth, while at other times, emergencies like COVID and remote working could require a swift solution.

Download our free Automate & Integrate Whitepaper today!

How to Automate File Transfer with MOVEit MFT

There are several options for automating file transfer with MOVEit MFT. The features are also innumerable. In this procedure, we will show a simple overview of how to automate file sharing with MOVEit.

MOVEit Managed File Transfer has both custom and built-in scripts. Built-in scripts play a crucial role in file transfer automation as they reduce human error and increase functionality.

How to Automate File Transfer with MOVEit MFT

• Log in to Your MOVEit Automation Host.
• You will automatically be redirected to the host page. Configure your hosts, which are the endpoints (sources of data and the destination).
• Click on the Task tab for your created tasks.
• Click on the More Options (…) tab beside the selected task for more functionalities.
• Click On the + Schedule tab.
• Choose the time you want to send your files.

Day: Choose the day or days on which you want your files transferred. 

Week: Choose the week in which you want your files transferred.

Monthly: Choose the month in which you want your files automatically transferred.

Automating File Manipulation

In some circumstances, you may want to have your files manipulated as they are in transit.

Some of these manipulations may include renaming files or zipping them. In most instances, you can do this manually, but in the case of several files, this can become both labor-intensive and time-consuming.

• Log into Your MOVEit Automation Host.
• You will automatically be redirected to the host page. Configure your hosts, which are the sources of data and the destination.
• Click on the Task tab to the task page.
• Click on the More Options (…)tab beside the selected task.
• Click on the + Step 
• Click on the Process tab to add scripts for manipulation such as Zipping, renaming, or changing the destination format.
• Go back to the task tab and click the + Schedule tab to automate the recurrence of this procedure by day, week, or month.

Automate Your File Transfer with MOVEit

With MOVEit, you will no longer have to be a jack-of-all-trades to have efficient file sharing. Our solution offers security, efficiency, analytics, and automation all in one package. For more information,  contact us today and we will be more than willing to help.

Download our free Automate & Integrate Whitepaper today!