Managed file transfer (MFT) platforms enable organizations to securely transfer files both within and across organizational boundaries. However, there is a wide range of options and possibilities in the space and no definitive information about what MFT platforms are and what they include.
Because there is no concrete definition for managed file transfer, we'll start by defining what we mean when we use the term and how specifically Couchdrop works in this context.
This article will cover the following:
- What is Managed File Transfer?
- Overview of Couchdrop
- Transfer support
- Security
- Ease of use and additional features
- Storage support
- Users and permissions
- Visual automation builder
- File transfer tools
For more information or a demo about any of these features, feel free to book a call with our team.
What is Managed File Transfer (MFT)?
There are a lot of different ways to move files. Transfers can involve various protocols, technologies, and user approaches.
To cover these different approaches, Frank Kenney of Gartner coined the term Managed File Transfer to refer to "a technology that provides the secure transfer of data in an efficient and a reliable manner." So unlike transfer protocols, which have clearly defined parameters, MFT is much more nebulous.
Nowadays, an MFT platform would typically refer to a secure and centralized hub that facilitates and directs file transfers and file-based automation. These solutions are technology platforms that provide administrative control and configurable security to support companies in exchanging data securely.
For a detailed look at what managed file transfer is, see our article What is managed file transfer?
MFT use cases
MFT provides a more robust method of file transfer and includes scalable functionality that provides control, visibility, and longevity.
Some common use cases for MFTs include:
- The ability to securely and reliably transfer files between companies, individuals, or software
- Digital transformation that encompasses modern ways of working with a centralized data location that is secure and accessible from anywhere
- Governance and security to fall in line with strict security and compliance standards.
- Automations for regular, secure file exchange between the organization and external parties
Overview of Couchdrop
Couchdrop is a fully managed modern file transfer platform that includes a cloud SCP/FTP/SFTP server and several file transfer tools that can be used to securely transfer files. The platform acts as an all-in-one solution for transferring, monitoring, and automating transfers.
A major differentiator is that Couchdrop requires no infrastructure. This means even large enterprises can get up and running in minutes. Job settings and scaling are also done automatically, so setting up transfer jobs is as simple as connecting the source and destination and then transferring data using the versatile suite of file transfer tools.
Here we'll cover transfer support, security, and ease of use.
Transfer Support
Couchdrop supports the following transfer protocols and transfer methods:
- SFTP, FTP/S, and SCP
- AS2
- S3
- Email attachments to storage
- Web upload portal
- Secure sharing links
- API
- File transfer tools - Upload portal, mailboxes, and secure shared links
Security
Couchdrop is secure by design, with enterprise-grade security while also giving you full control of your data. This entails:
- The option to bring your own storage providing you with complete control of your data at rest
- Direct storage-to-storage transfers with no temporary storage layer
- Automatic updates and patching with no downtime required
- 2048-bit RSA key support
- Active monitoring and threat detection
- Granular user permissions down to the folder level
- Firewalling, ensuring that only the right networks are able to log in
- 2-factor authentication for user accounts
- End-to-end encrypted transfers
- Configurable security for file sharing and intake methods, including password protection and expiry
- Separate HIPAA-ready infrastructure
Ease of use and additional features
Couchdrop was built to be the simplest file transfer platform on the market, handling all the complexities behind the scenes. Here's how Couchdrop keeps things simple:
- Your service is ready instantly at sign-up up and you can transfer files immediately
- Simple web-based management through a modern, intuitive interface
- Connect to any storage platform in minutes
- White labeling and custom domains to instill trust and security
- Comprehensive API
- Configurable alerting and notifications for successful and failed uploads
- Global infrastructure with 7 global data centers
- Automatic scaling and job optimization
Configuring Managed File Transfer with Couchdrop
As the simplest MFT platform on the market, Couchdrop makes configuring storage, users, and transfers incredibly easy, including setting up automations with the visual workflow builder.
Configuring storage
Couchdrop plans also include hosted storage, but one of the main benefits is the support for over 30 cloud storage platforms as well as on-prem file servers. This allows you to bring your own storage and let Couchdrop facilitate transfers between external parties and any of your platforms.
Setting up a storage integration is simple and only takes a minute. Most integrations connect using OAuth, and the few that involve extra steps still only take minutes, with the platform guiding you through the connection process during setup.
Connecting to partners and providers is just as easy. For instance, you can integrate remote SFTP and FTP servers and authorize as your user on the server and easily transfer files to and from the server and your connected storage platforms.
Users and permissions
Creating users is just as easy, and Couchdrop can even autogenerate users with specific permissions and access sets.
These permissions can be adjusted granularly, including:
Write Only — this only allows the user to upload files to the storage bucket, they cannot see the files in the directory either.
Read Only — the user can only download files and can also see the files in the directory.
Read/Write — the user has full upload and download permissions and can also delete and see the files in the directory
Whatever root directory you set for your user, your user will be isolated to this directory and any sub-directories under it. They can not go up the directory to your root directory. This ensures that external users are locked down to specific folders and cannot access wider company data.
By default, if you did not add a sub-path when configuring your storage, the connected folder will reside in your root/top level of the user's storage.
Advanced user settings
User Role — Users are set to external user by default. Other roles include team member, owner, and administrator. The admin user level provides the user access to modify other users and Couchdrop settings, and is not recommended if the user is outside of your organization, as they will have full admin access to your Couchdrop account
Allowed IPs – Restrict connections to specific IP addresses that you designate.
Features and Services — Allow or restrict access to specific services and features, such as allowing the user to connect via FTP or create new automations.
Group Membership — Organize users into groups for streamlined file sharing and secure access control in Couchdrop
Expiry — Set an expiration period so that the user's credentials can automatically expire after a specified time
Visual automation builder
Automating file transfers provides a number of benefits, including improved efficiency, reduced risk of errors, and better scalability. Often, a major obstacle is creating these automations.
Couchdrop simplifies this process through a simple and intuitive automation builder that requires no coding. Create workflows using the visual builder and automate scheduled transfers and file processing without scripts or cron job maintenance, with support for multiple steps and conditional pathways.
File transfer tools
Couchdrop includes a number of file transfer tools that can easily be integrated into your workflows.
Connecting via SFTP client
Users can access files on Couchdrop via SFTP clients, with support for any SFTP application, including Filezilla, Cyberduck, and WinSCP. For a comparison of clients, see our article on the best SFTP clients for business.
For your user to log in, they require three items:
- Username
- Password/RSA key, and,
- Hostname/URL
You can see your server connection details and how to connect as a specific user from any page. These details can also be sent via email directly to your user.
Upload portal
Sometimes, using SFTP software doesn’t work for all customers who prefer a simpler way to upload files to your virtual data room/storage. For these users, Couchdrop has created an upload portal. This is available for users to upload files directly into their specified directory without using any third-party software.
Upload links support multiple files and form data that can accompany uploads. This data will be sent along with the file(s), and Couchdrop can optionally create a subfolder for each submission based on any form field.
Email attachments to storage
Much like the upload portal, email is a simpler way to receive files. Many systems that don't directly support SFTP connections can still email files. By adding the unique address to your Couchdrop mailbox, those files can be emailed directly to your connected storage as well.
While this feature can also be used for users who don’t want to install software or attempt to use technical products such as an SFTP application, we recommend using a more secure option like upload portals to receive files from customers or clients whenever possible.
Secure file sharing
Securely sharing files is important, especially when you have users outside of your organization who need access to specific files regardless of their location. Couchdrop’s file sharing supports the following;
- Individual file sharing
- Folder sharing
- Expiry timers on shared links
- Password-protected shared links
- Access via allowed emails only
You can also send ad-hoc files with the send files feature, which uploads the file to a secure, temporary location on Couchdrop-hosted storage.
All file-sharing methods are completely tracked and auditable, and you can choose to receive notifications whenever a link is used.
Try the simple, versatile MFT solution
While Couchdrop is versatile and can easily slot into transfer workflows, the simplicity is the main element that sets it apart from traditional MFT platforms. The setup takes less than a minute and requires no technical experience or infrastructure, and all the complexities are handled behind the scenes. This means you can focus on your primary business while file transfers are handled securely and reliably.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact sales@couchdrop.io, and the friendly team will help you out or answer any questions you have. You can also try Couchdrop free for 14 days with no credit card required by signing up for a free trial.