Managed File Transfer Solution
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1234 Select and Implement a Managed File Transfer Solution Secure file transfers today and avoid worrying about tomorrow. Info-Tech Research Group, Inc. Is a global leader in providing IT research and advice. Info-Tech’s products and services combine actionable insight and relevant advice with ready-to-use tools and templates that cover the full spectrum of IT concerns. © 1997-2015 Info-Tech Research Group Inc. Info-Tech Research Group 1 Our understanding of the problem This Research Is Designed For: This Research Will Help You: The Enterprise Architect of a small to large Choose the right managed file transfer organization, looking to enhance their solution, while taking into consideration your business integration and file sharing organizational use cases and requirements. capabilities. Avoid the common challenges made when An organization that is looking for a managed implementing a managed file transfer solution. file transfer solution that will meet its specific needs and requirements. Outcomes of this Research: Help sell your organization on the benefits of a managed file transfer solution and gain the buy-in necessary to move forward with your specific selection. Create a project charter that will help define the project goals and objectives, as well as the key stakeholders and the project team. Select the right tool that meets your specific needs and requirements. Create an implementation plan that will circumvent challenges and enable a successful managed file transfer implementation. Info-Tech Research Group 2 Executive summary Situation Info-Tech Insight • Every business, regardless of industry, is required to exchange information • FTP is no longer seen as a viable with internal and external partners. Traditional file transfer techniques such option to manage file transfer as FTP are no longer viable options for transferring files due to business securely inside and outside of the pressures for fast, efficient, and secure file transfers. Managed File enterprise. MFT has filled that role Transfer (MFT) solutions are now recognized as a necessity for and is seeing rapid adoption as organizations. compliance standards extend their reach. • Vendors recognize demand for Complication deployment flexibility, but buyers are still wary of potential security issues • There are many changes in the industry as big players are continuously surrounding compliance. acquiring small vendors and advanced features become table stakes • Vendors are starting to offer mobile features. functionality, or at the very least, are • It can be difficult to choose a solution that scales with the needs of the putting it on their vendor roadmaps. enterprise. Resolution • Moving away from traditional file transfer techniques and homegrown solutions needs to be done using an effective step- by-step approach. Prior to implementing an MFT solution, organizations need to conduct a thorough analysis of their current state and file transfer requirements. • Gather requirements by not only soliciting the needs of the business today, but also collecting the requirements the business may need in the future. • Create a shortlist of vendors that meet the organization’s wants and needs. Avoid post-implementation challenges by governing the application with the appropriate metrics, policies, and procedures. Info-Tech Research Group 3 Info-Tech Research Group walks you through the following steps to help you select an MFT solution 3 Gather requirements and interview stakeholders 1 Make the case for MFT 4 Analyze vendors in the MFT market 6 Deployment and installation 1 Assess the value of MFT 6 Test solution and train staff 4 Shortlist vendors 6 Migrate existing data 2. Select MFT team 5 Select your vendor 5 Conduct a Proof-of-Concept and 2 Structure your project evaluate vendor solutions 6 Evaluate project metrics Locate your starting point in the research based on the current stage of your project. Milestones Effort Importance Phase Low Average Launch Select Implement Your Solution Solution Greater Project Major milestone High Info-Tech Research Group 4 PHASE 1 Launch Your MFT Selection Info-Tech Research Group, Inc. Is a global leader in providing IT research and advice. Info-Tech’s products and services combine actionable insight and relevant advice with ready-to-use tools and templates that cover the full spectrum of IT concerns. © 1997-2015 Info-Tech Research Group Inc. Info-Tech Research Group 5 Phase 1: Launch your selection project 3 Gather requirements and interview stakeholders 1 Make the case for MFT 1 Assess the value of MFT 2 Structure your project 2. Select MFT team Estimated Timeline: 1-2 Months Info-Tech Insight • Project launch Outcomes from This Phase Major • The MFT market is becoming more • Completion of mature and has started to compete with Milestones requirements gathering MFT social collaboration vendors. Vendors Reached and documentation Procurement are enhancing their feature offering and Project working to lower the price of the Charter solution. • Readiness assessment Key • Project plan / timeline To narrow your evaluation and focus on • Activities • Stakeholder buy-in vendor options that best fit your Completed • Technical assessment organization, understand the business • Functional assessment needs and your architecture capabilities. Info-Tech Research Group 6 SECTION Phase Make the Case for Managed File Transfer 1 1 2 3 Info-Tech Research Group 7 Section 1: Make the case for MFT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Make the Structure the Identify the Produce your Select your Create an case for MFT select and requirements vendor MFT solution implementation MFT implement for your MFT shortlist plan project solution This section will walk through the following activities: This step involves the following participants: 1.1. What is MFT and why is it important? • Director of Enterprise Integration 1.2. The benefits of MFT. • Systems Engineer 1.3. MFT market trends. • IT Manager • Project Manager of the select and implement project • Core Project BAs Outcomes of this step: • Identification of the opportunities associated with managed file transfer. • Confirmation of the organization’s suitability for an investment in a managed file transfer solution. • An appraisal of Info-Tech’s Vendor Landscape market overview for managed file transfer. • Determination if now is the right time to proceed with this project. Info-Tech Research Group 8 1.1 What is a managed file transfer solution? A managed file transfer solution securely transports data, while ensuring a timely delivery to the recipient. MFT solutions offer business automation that helps simplify the management of transferring files. These solutions provide an alternative method for ad hoc file transfers that are commonly done through FTP and HTTP protocols. Although many organizations are still using FTP to transfer files, MFT solutions are quickly becoming the method of choice as they meet strict regulatory compliance standards and ensure a high degree of security is supporting SSL encryption, X.509 encryption, and proxy certificates. Managed File Transfer Solutions: Send files securely to recipients over public and private networks in a timely manner. Automate file transfers between trading partners to increase the efficiency of business to business. Support multiple file transfer protocols to enable file exchange with almost any business. Generate reports to monitor user file transfers and evaluate performance. Info-Tech Research Group 9 1.1 Make sure you are ready to invest in a managed file transfer solution Signs Your Organization May Need MFT Facts Managed File Transfer It is difficult to send big files. Companies using MFT reported 26% 26% fewer errors, exceptions, and There needs to be transparency and traceability in file exchange activities. problems. (Ipswitch) The business is subject to compliance laws and privacy regulations. Traditional methods of sending data, such as FTP, aren’t secure. 4.8 times faster at getting back Processes need to be more agile and adapt to changing network conditions. 4.8X to business after a problem has occurred. (Ipswitch) The business needs to share information and collaborate more effectively. Employees need to be able to send small and large files on their own. The speed of file transfers needs to be increased. An MFT file transfer is 30 times 30X faster than an FTP. (OpenText) Inability to comply with government reporting requirements. Every business needs to connect internally and externally. However, the limitations presented with traditional methods of communication are forcing businesses to move towards a reliable and secure alternative. Traditional methods such as FTP are hitting the business with increased costs and security risks. Info-Tech Research Group 10 1.1 Trends in the workplace are making managed file transfer solutions necessary Employees Receive Employees are sharing a prolific amount of information through their emails. On average, employees receive 15 email attachments per day. When you look at that number over the course of a year; it 15+ translates to 5,000 attachments per person. The information being shared needs to be secured and protected from unauthorized viewing. Attachments/ Day Less Than With such a large amount of employees sharing information through email, companies have begun implementing policies for the transfer of sensitive information. However, only 47% of employees think 50% their companies have policies in place. Which leads to the belief of Employees that employees aren’t following any policies to safeguard the transfer