Eight reasons companies choose MFT secure file transfer software

MFT secure file transfer, or managed fle transfer solutions, are a crucial component in any organization’s IT infrastructure. Increasingly strict compliance regulations and the risk of fines and reputational damage from data breaches mean it’s essential to have the right tools to secure and audit data flows.

But if you thought that securing business data was the most common reason companies invest in MFT secure file transfer software, you’d be wrong. This blog post explains the most common reasons why businesses choose to invest in managed file transfer.

# 1 – Improve Productivity
It’s no surprise that this is the most common reason for companies to invest in managed file transfer software. Improved profitability is the goal of most organisations, improving productivity goes some way to helping to achieve that; driving costs down, reducing errors, speeding throughput and increased efficiency. Pro2col has worked on hundreds of projects where MFT secure file transfer software has created significant savings and demonstrable ROI for companies. The requirements change from company to company meaning that no MFT software fits all scenarios as they vary in complexity. Our range of solutions aid basic automation whilst others provide deep programmatic integration with other enterprise technologies. This is where the true value of an MFT solution is realised and our expert technical consultants have considerable experience to help with your managed file transfer project.

# 2 -Security Related Incidents
Let’s be honest, security breaches are reasonably common although not always on the magnitude of those that create a media frenzy. Email attachments can be sent to the wrong location, consumer-grade tools might be compromised, an FTP server might be incorrectly configured, the potential flashpoints are numerous. Not wanting to be the next highly published data breach should be reason enough to warrant the investment in an MFT secure file transfer solution.

# 3 – Collaborate with trusted third parties
Being able to communicate securely with customers and trading partners is the lifeblood for every organisation, although the requirements change from business to business the sentiment does not. No business is an island, and being able to securely exchange data in 2015 is mandatory. However it’s imperative to have the appropriate ‘secure data exchange’ technology in place, to be both effective and professional.

# 4 – Improve reliability
Number four has a direct correlation to a company’s financial well-being or its bottom line, thus making it easy for the business to justify the expense. Missed file transfers can cost a business dearly if payment runs are missed, orders are not processed or SLAs are not hit. The direct costs can be significant and it quickly becomes a hot topic. An MFT secure file transfer solution will mitigate that risk.

# 5 – Industry standards and best practice
Some form of industry-standard or compliance affects an increasing number of businesses. Whether it’s PCI DSS, covering all credit card payments, HIPAA ensuring the security of sensitive healthcare data, SOX, GLBA, or the GDPR, there’s a good chance your company will need to comply. Added to that are the information security standards that businesses set out to achieve off their own back, such as ISO 27001. So it’s no surprise this is a popular reason for choosing managed file transfer.

# 6 – Address audit deficiencies
Being proactive and ensuring regular audits of IT systems are imperative, whether delivered in-house or contracted in. Ensuring the right technologies are in place before the problem exists ALWAYS proves a cheaper option than a data breach. Enter MFT secure file transfer!

# 7 – Replace other delivery mechanisms
Quite frequently companies take the approach to develop their own DIY file transfer systems. Building them in-house can result in a bespoke solution, perfect for the company. However, the cost of managing and maintaining them in the future, especially with the fluid nature of IT teams, can prove challenging. An alternative scenario might be that they may have outgrown the incumbent solution making it not fit for purpose. Take a simple FTP server, for example, not providing the visibility, guaranteed delivery and reporting required for mission-critical business processes. Here an MFT secure file transfer solution will solved numerous business challenges.

# 8 – MFT secure file transfer reduces total cost
The total cost of a file transfer technology shouldn’t by any means measured by the cost of purchasing the software. The ancillary costs of managing, maintaining and supporting a solution can significantly out-weigh the initial purchase price, depending upon the nature of the solution and over what term you’re measuring. Various solutions are very ‘professional services’ heavy resulting in high ongoing ‘management fees’. Of course there are those solutions that bring tears to your eyes at maintenance renewal time too!

For more information about exactly how MFT secure file transfer delivers these benefits, download our free Managed File Transfer Buyer’s Guide. This explains all the different features and functionality and how they support security and compliance, whilst driving businesses efficiencies in a hybrid infrastructure. Alternatively get in touch with our team of independent experts who will be happy to answer any questions or provide more information.

Managed File Transfer Buyer’s Guide – Start your research here

What is MFT and how does it enhance security, productivity, compliance and visibility? This free guide is compiled from 16+ years’ experience. It includes definition, product features & use cases.

Download Buyer’s Guide