Al discusses 5 qualities that are essential in a next-generation cloud MFT platform – iPaas-ready integration, content collaboration capabilities, APIs to integrate with business applications, self-service management for partner file exchange, and real-time monitoring.
Today’s leading technology companies (e.g., Amazon, Airbnb, Netflix, Spotify) have each disrupted their particular industry by successfully implementing a groundbreaking digital platform that serves customers and partners with speed and scalability. Their success has provided a new pattern for IT leaders to follow. As a result, organizations are increasingly transforming their application portfolios and integration strategy by leveraging modern cloud and integration services to gain a competitive advantage.
Not surprisingly, this disruption has created immense integration challenges for companies still using legacy, on-premises managed file transfer (MFT) systems that need to connect their file exchange processes with other systems (e.g., integration platforms as a service [iPaaS] and content collaboration platforms [CCP]).
To solve the challenges of integrating legacy MFT with your network of applications, you should evaluate a cloud-based MFT platform that can easily integrate file exchange activity into your business ecosystem. To assist with your evaluation, this article explains five critical features that you will find in a “next-generation cloud MFT platform.â€
5 Qualities of a Next-Generation Cloud MFT Platform
1. iPaaS-Ready Integration
iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) is “a platform for building and deploying integrations within the cloud and between the cloud and enterprise.†With iPaaS, users can develop integration flows that connect applications residing in the cloud or on-premises and then deploy them without installing or managing any hardware or middleware.
As illustrated below, file exchange started to evolve in the early 2010s as companies began to combine MFT systems with cloud services, APIs, mobile devices and integration platforms (like iPaaS).
If your company is still using legacy, outdated MFT systems and integrating with iPaaS, then your developers are likely spending countless hours manually configuring tightly-coupled MFT processes. Speed up flexible, seamless integration by finding a cloud MFT platform that provides out-of-the-box iPaaS connectors that allow developers to reuse file exchange connections for multiple processes rather than struggling with a burdensome point to point configuration and maintenance.
2. Content Collaboration Capabilities
Traditionally, companies have adopted separate solutions for MFT and content collaboration, MFT for automating system-to-system transactions and content collaboration platforms (CCP) for “mobile access to content repositories; file synchronization across devices and cloud repositories; file sharing with people and applications inside or outside the organization (2018 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Content Collaboration PlatformsOpens a new window )â€.
Keeping system-to-system and ad hoc file transfer processes separate makes it difficult for IT to monitor and track file transfers between the two solutions. The next generation cloud MFT platform should support both of these capabilities to simplify and improve the efficiency of your digital transformation initiatives.
3. APIs to Integrate with Business Applications
This article by MuleSoft defines APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) as “a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other.†The ideal cloud MFT platform should provide a set of APIs (REST, SOAP) that your organization can use to connect to your existing applications like CRMs, ERPs, email, proprietary software and more.
4. Self-Service Management for Partner File Exchange
Most companies need to exchange files with partners, customers, etc. Many require timely file exchange with a large and dynamic group of partner organizations as part of its operating model. Onboarding, managing connectivity, and monitoring status of these exchanges can be cumbersome.
This process is particularly challenging when companies use some uncontrolled technologies and protocols (FTP, email, shared drives, consumer-grade solutions, etc.). Alternatively, consider a cloud-based MFT platform with a self-service management portal where partners can log in and set up/manage their own pickup and drop-off endpoints without IT support.
5. Real-Time Monitoring and Control
One of the most critical factors to weigh in a cloud-based MFT platform is the ability to provide real-time monitoring and control of all file transfer activity. Operators of the system should be able to effortlessly view, monitor, and report all actions of each endpoint connected to the system (e.g., file uploads, transfers, notifications, web service calls).
This is a strong trait that gives you full insight into how your file exchange processes are performing across your business ecosystem.
Cloud-Based MFT: Enabling Digital Business Transformation
In summary, choosing a cloud-native MFT platform that provides CCP capabilities, exposed APIs and iPaaS-ready connectors will prove to be the most cost-effective and adaptable strategy for adding agile and efficient file exchange processes to your business ecosystem.