subject: Situations where companies need to seek out alternatives to using ftp to send documents [print this page] Every company needs an effective way to send and receive documents in order to conduct business. If you are sending large documents electronically, an attachment to an email does not typically work because most email programs place restrictions on the file sizes they can transmit. In these cases, many turn to FTP, or file transfer protocol, as one means of electronically transmitting documents. This system is not without its problems, however.
FTP software can often be quite complicated to learn and use, and this is a definite downside when your company routinely sends and receives large documents throughout the work day. In these common cases, many companies try to seek out FTP alternatives, which do exist online.
Architectures, engineering and construction (AEC) companies are among the kinds of businesses that need to find viable FTP alternatives since they routinely send and receive large blueprints and CAD files. In the past, one way that this was handled was to print and then ship the documents to the client, or even use a courier service for sensitive material transfer, but this is a costly way to handle routine business transmissions. But using FTP file share software, even though it is less expensive than printing and mailing hard copies, can be cumbersome, especially for very large documents. It can also be tedious and time-consuming setting up employee training on the software programs that are usually involved in FTP file transfer.
Another cause for concern is that FTP systems are not terribly secure. This is a problem when confidential and secure documents for projects that you are working on must be transmitted online.
Another reason why many architecture, engineering and construction firms choose an FTP replacement is that FTP takes several steps in order to send those large documents. When you count up the time spent doing this type of repetitive and routine chore, you can see that you will want an FTP alternative to help streamline your document transmission and thus improve your office's workflow.
There are currently FTP alternatives that require no special computer equipment, but simply utilize the Internet and a common browser such as Firefox. These systems also have the added benefit of multi-level security protocols in place, making document distribution much safer, and have tracking of all aspects of work performed on the document built into the system for your and team members ease of use.
Situations where companies need to seek out alternatives to using ftp to send documents
