I keep reading about managed file transfer (MFT) vendors adding new features–the latest ones include:  antivirus, the ability for customers to upload/download over 2 gigabytes from any Web browser, analytics with reporting, and better security.  Several claim to be the first to introduce these features, but Thru’s cloud-based managed file transfer solution, for the enterprise, was built on these features ten years ago.

• Take antivirus, Thru has been using Symantec for years to secure files sent and received by anyone using the Thru Cloud (incidentally, it is a “true Cloud” solution). Thru can also plug-in to any antivirus solution, by the request of a customer, it is part of the design.
• 2GB upload and download in the browser, not a problem.  Thru has been doing this for years–in fact several terabytes can be moved as there no limit on file sizes using Thru.
• Analytics: Thru is a 100% database driven application, meaning anything that takes place is logged and can be reported on to meet compliance regulations.
• Security is core to the Thru platform, which is why we invest in SAS 70 II data centers, ISO 9001:2008 and ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certifications. Three factor access control (fingerprint, access card and PIN) and 24 x 7 x 365 CCTV- Tier III+ fully redundant infrastructure to ensure no single point of failure and business continuity.
• Data-at-rest encryption – Microsoft EFS is used for encrypting data at rest using AES, SHA, and ECC cryptographic algorithms compliant with Suite B encryption requirements as defined by the National Security Agency to meet the needs of United States government agencies for protecting classified information.
• End-to-end SSL encryption – for HTTP and FTP data transfer: 3DES for transport encryption with AES-256 client browsers support. SHA-1 hash function.
• Advanced Integration - Integration with Active Directory and secure Single Sign-On (SSO).
• Database isolation for each deployed instance of Thru services – Each Thru instance can run in a standalone environment to isolate all documents and related database information.
• Storage in a virtualized file management system – Storage which can only be accessed by the application layer.
• FIPS 140-2 certified.

Thru is a platform so all of its features are available through the API allowing flexible alternatives for administrators and developers to embed custom functionality into any application.

Having participated in several Gartner conferences over the years, as a Gartner Analyst covering Managed File Transfer (MFT), I am very familiar with Gartner research and trends. While working for Gartner I have seen the Cloud evolve from a curious little topic, covered by a handful of analysts, to a fully-recognizable and viable global resolution included by all analysts in their research agenda. However, in the years from inception, one trend has always remained: skeptics among the audience, regardless of what analysts and the industry are saying.

Having jumped to the dark side (the “official” jargon used for anyone from Gartner moving to the vendor side), I found myself in a situation where I knew “everyone” attending the event, but at the same time being someone on the outside looking in.  This provided me with a unique opportunity to connect with clients in a different way and get closer to what was happening on the grass-root level.

In previous years, the analysts have been telling clients to consider and possible embrace the Cloud, because it makes sense from a scalability and cost perspective.  The key difference I noticed this year, was the amount of clients requesting the Cloud for various projects including:  CRM, Cloud Services Brokerage (CSB), ERP, traditional B2B integration, SOA and more.  Attending a few case studies and tracks where both analysts and clients talked about some of the benefits of the Cloud, some interesting points arose:

• By using the Cloud an organization can focus on business processes and less on IT
• We wanted a dial tone (something that always works), so we turned to the Cloud
• Cloud Services Brokerage (CSB) is emerging as a viable solution for clients to connect–not only for B2B and different Cloud providers but also for A2A
• CSB is seen as a viable alternative to Mega Vendors–both ultimately provide one integrated solution
• Managed File Transfer (MFT) is increasingly used in Cloud-to-Cloud and on-premises to Cloud Integration scenarios.
• Ad-Hoc MFT was hugely popular

Yes, just as in year’s past, there were some skeptics at last week’s Gartner Application Architecture, Development & Integration Summit, but it was amazing that the majority of attendees were finally embracing the Cloud.

More and more businesses are embracing cloud computing as a way to enhance their business processes, reduce time to revenue, and deliver new services more effectively. Business users are adopting the cloud 4 to 5 times faster than their IT departments – in a survey conducted by Avanade earlier this year, of 573 C-level executive and business unit leader respondents, 20% said they had actually gone around their IT department to provision cloud services. In addition, 61% said it was easier to provision the services themselves, and 50% said it takes too long to go through IT. KPMG also conducted a survey in which 80 percent of respondents said the switch to Cloud was driven by efforts to improve processes, offering more agility across the enterprise.

For applications from customer communication management, to electronic software distribution, to secure statement delivery and project management, the cloud is brilliant. The flexibility and scalability the cloud brings to content delivery and file management, along with transparent integration with today’s email and customer relationship management systems, allows business users to expand and optimize their business processes without changing existing workflows. As business leaders continue to translate their business strategies to IT, the cloud will unquestionably be adopted by IT departments to fully support the organizations’ business requirements.

If you are attending this year’s Gartner Application Architecture, Development & Integration (AADI) Summit in Las Vegas, November 29-December 2, please stop by our booth NN to learn more about Thru’s innovative cloud-based services and solutions.

We are excited about this year’s Gartner Application Architecture, Development & Integration (AADI) Summit in Las Vegas, November 29-December 2.

Gartner says, “This Summit delivers on today’s key applications issues—from understanding the real business value of cloud computing and learning when, why and how to adopt cloud and agile methods, to making your SOA application development more productive, dynamic and simple.”

We’re looking forward to some of the discussions we’ll have on why organizations are moving many of their business processes to the cloud:  financial statement delivery, electronic software distribution, project management, and patent processing.  We welcome the opportunity to confer on the advantages of a cloud-based managed file transfer solution.  Thru, Inc. will be in booth #NN at the conference, and we hope you stop by and chat if you are attending.

There is a rumor that your first bet at the Caesars blackjack table is on Thru—stop by Thru’s booth to find out the truth.

In this second video, on the trends in the file transfer market, Lee Harrison and Thomas Skybakmoen, from Thru, Inc., discuss the drivers behind these trends, and what they see for 2012.

While FTP replacement has been one of the key trends in the file transfer market there are three additional trends that have caught our attention.

1. Managed File Transfer consolidation
2. Managed File Transfer solutions in the cloud
3. Managed File Transfer enables compliance efforts

The term “Managed File Transfer” (MFT) started to emerge in the mid 2000’s as a means to clearly distinguish between the 1980’s “File Transfer Protocol” (FTP) and the fresh approach companies were beginning to use to transfer data.

As defined by Gartner, “Managed file transfer software and services enable users to manage and monitor file transfers within and between organizations.”  In this definition Gartner uses “manage” and “monitor” to highlight and explain the key differences between MFT and FTP.

• Manage – means to manage all file transfers using one interface (one place) across all business units, operations, systems, applications, partners, etc.
• Monitor – means to monitor all file transfers in one centralized location which in turn means better governance, compliance and reduced IT costs.

Driven by increasingly stringent privacy regulations and the need to quickly transfer and track files globally, many organizations are in the process of replacing their legacy FTP systems and moving towards MFT solutions.  In fact, cloud-based managed file transfer solutions are gaining the most momentum (more on this subject in future blogs).

In an article in Cloud Computing Journal, PaaS is once again highlighted as the future of the enterprise market.

The article Cloud Computing: AppFog Gets $8 Million states that “Industry analysts have told the start-up and its backers that Platform-as-a-Service is beginning to eclipse bare bones Infrastructure-as-Service (IaaS) and should be in for ‘big growth,’ especially in the enterprise market.” Why is this the case?

PaaS can be compared to Lego blocks. As with Lego, PaaS is built using one platform, where only one “product” exists. PaaS may come in different colors, sizes and shapes, but all product enhancements, such as updates, security and new features, is all fed back into one code base, thus everything benefits all customers.

Lego blocks have seen updates over the years, such as better and more durable plastic, more colors as well as the introduction of different sizes and new shapes. The main principle has always remained in focus: Lego did not change the core or the standard of the Lego block, just improved the product and created more solutions to adapt to the changing marketplace. One platform, many opportunities, repeatable success.

The AEC industry is going through phenomenal changes as it positions itself to use electronic technology as a core corporate strategy for tomorrow’s business models. Ready access to information is the key driver pushing the AEC industry into a digital world. Architects have found that the ability to provide timely exchange, and the review and approval of critical project data is a vital component of the project workflow and project success. It is not surprising that many AEC organizations are turning to virtual file systems to ensure their project files are tracked, secured, versioned, updated and synchronized across all members of the project team and the around the world. Before turning to the cloud as a platform to exchange and manage your project information you need to ask yourself some important questions:

• Is reliable and rapid transfer of large volumes of data such as BIM and CAD files with and between your project team members a constant challenge?
• Does your project workflow and review/approval process rely on multiple insecure and unmanaged FTP file transfer operations to transfer critical project data?
• Is control and tracking of project changes and revisions through file downloads and uploads a management nightmare?
• Do your systems and processes struggle to meet internal and external standards for audit and compliance?
• Do you need accurate reports on file management overhead to bill back costs to your clients?

Thru’s proven global file collaboration network enables users to securely track and deliver all aspects of project data across the world, be that to China or Dubai. This new network offering from Thru moves project data as close as possible to where it needs be resulting in fast low-latency uploads and downloads and Thru’s patent pending acceleration technology means files are delivered at local wire speeds. For more information, visit our our Web site.