Managed file transfer (MFT) is an all-in-one application used to secure, automate and manage file transfers. A tool can be an application or instrument that helps you achieve a particular task. The reference of MFT being a tool is in the context that it fits into a larger landscape of other tools. It enables IT to connect multiple applications, people and businesses to complete an overall architectural design to transmit data.
How Does an MFT Tool Work?
Here is an overview of how an MFT tool works:
- Use MFT solution either as a hosted service (SaaS) or self-hosted.
- Create and schedule file transfers by connecting source and target endpoints.
- Receive alerts on file transfer statuses.
What Are MFT Examples?
Imagine a company with 1,000 employees, 500 customers and 30 suppliers. Between these people and the systems used to connect with customers and suppliers, lots of files are transferred.
Examples of departments using different methods to transfer files include:
Marketing teams use an online webform tool to send large files to an ad agency.
The purchasing business unit uses SFTP to send purchase orders to suppliers.
The finance department uses another SFTP system to exchange sales reports with its merchant bank.
This causes a landscape of disparate applications, file management difficulties and inability to meet security compliance requirements. Using an MFT tool enables the organization to have secure, centralized and routed file transfers under one system, which results in better controls for IT.
Take a look at these top 10 MFT tool questions to help evaluate your vendors »
