Couchdrop connects to over 20 cloud storage platforms with native connections. Across the site, you'll see us mention that Couchdrop can also connect to any other system that supports FTP, SFTP, AS2, or S3 connections. But how do you connect these systems to Couchdrop?
This guide will give you general guidelines on what settings to look for so that you can integrate any system with Couchdrop for secure file transfers.
Connecting your system
Before you can transfer files to or from a system without a native integration, you'll need to prepare to send/receive files with that system first.
Setting up the virtual file system
Couchdrop uses virtual folders as a way to organize directories from multiple storage systems. Since these are virtual paths, the files still reside within the connected platform, and you can transfer files to these systems directly.
When working with external parties, you'll want to set up where you want the files to land before you give them connection details. This could be either a directory on Couchdrop hosted storage or a folder in any connected cloud storage platform.
You can also create a folder that links to a remote SFTP server, such as a directory on a partner's remote server that you would grab the files from, and download/move those files elsewhere, including connected cloud storage platforms.
Once you've set up the endpoint for sending/receiving files, you'll need to enter/send the connection details to be added to the source system.
Getting your connection details
You can get your Couchdrop connection details from any page. Click the cloud icon near the logo to open up your connection details and see how to connect using different protocols. You can select a user from the dropdown to see how to connect as different users, and you can create a new user for the system connection directly in Couchdrop if needed.
For connecting via SFTP, you can copy the details directly with the Copy button or share them via email directly from Couchdrop, which generates an email with the connection details and instructions.
Inbound file transfers
A common use case for Couchdrop is that external parties like partners, vendors, and suppliers need to send you files securely, but those files are generated from a legacy, proprietary, or on-prem system. Fortunately, nearly every system supports FTP or SFTP connections, so by configuring an S/FTP connection with Couchdrop, these parties can send you files from their system directly to a folder in your cloud storage.
For inbound file transfers, where you intake files into Couchdrop, there is most likely an SFTP or FTP setting in the source system that lets it connect to a file transfer server. If the system breaks down connection types further, such as inbound and outbound, choose the outbound setting, as the system will be sending files to Couchdrop.
Most commonly, you'll be asked to specify a hostname, port number, username, and password. Check your connection info for these details for your connection type. Once set up, you'll likely need to specify a directory or specify which files will be sent to Couchdrop over that connection.
Once connected, retrieving/receiving files is straightforward and can even become an automated process.
Setting up a scheduled pull
Another option for inbound file transfers is setting up a scheduled pull using Couchdrop automations.
While you can have files generated from systems sent directly via SFTP, you can also have Couchdrop pull files from the storage platform where the files are saved. Often, the endpoint is the trading partner's FTP/SFTP server, but another possibility is connecting Couchdrop to an on-prem file system, which can be done using the Windows File Server or OSX File Server connector.
An easy way to move these files to a location connected to Couchdrop is by setting up a transfer automation. After connecting the folder, use the automation to pull the files on a schedule, with options to pull a single named file, all files in the folder, or all files in the folder & its subfolders.
When the files are on a partner's server, the retrieval has to be time-based since Couchdrop connects as the user the partner has created and can't see anything happening on that server.
Emailing files to a Couchdrop Mailbox
One other way to transfer files from a system into Couchdrop is by setting up a Mailbox for a system. This is only possible when the system can email out files, and as it's less secure than other transfer methods, we only recommend using it when it's not possible to connect via SFTP or FTPs.
First, set up a new Mailbox in Couchdrop to generate the email address and specify where the emailed attachments will be saved (which again, can be a virtual path to any storage platform). Then, simply use this email address as the recipient in the target system.
Many systems will allow you to schedule sending certain documents, such as generating a report daily and sending it to a specific email. When that email is to the Couchdrop Inbox, you're essentially creating an automated workflow to transfer that file to cloud storage.
Mailboxes can also be used as automation triggers to expand this functionality, letting you copy, rename, and transform emailed files before they land at their final destination.
Outbound file transfers
If you need to send files from a Couchdrop folder into a system without a named integration, there are a few ways to do this.
First, look into the general connectors to see if those can accomplish what you need. There are options for S3-compatible storage, and you can also create automations that use HTTP(s), or connect to S/FTP servers to get files as close to the final destination as possible.
If the system checks and intakes files from a directory on an on-prem or cloud system, Couchdrop can add files close to or into that directory, depending on permissions and access level, essentially sending files to the system.
Using an outbound iPaaS connector can also help, especially if file metadata like filenames need to be in a certain format. Couchdrop can create the connection to the iPaaS, and the workflow there can transform and move the file as needed for the system to work with it.
Getting help with your connection
If you're having trouble getting the connection to your system set up as expected, check the Couchdrop documentation for information and details on different types of configuration and connection types.
If you still can't find what you need, reach out to us at sales@couchdrop.io and let us know what you're looking to connect.