Transferring large files

Started by Ian Blundell, June 18, 2012, 01:28:56 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Ian Blundell

We sometimes needs to have the ability to send and receive files that are too big for email and are looking for the best solution.
We have used services like yousendit in the past but that is only really good when we what to send somebody else a file.  If they need to send us a file then most of these services would require that the sender sets up an account first don't they?

What I would like would be something that we could put a link to on our website so that the sender would click on, maybe enter a code we would give them (to control who is sending us stuff) and then an email is sent saying that the file is available for download, with the link expiring after a set period.  Ideally, there would also be a (different) link on our internal home page for when we want to send large files to people outside of our organization.

What solutions have others out here come up with?  I guess that an alternative solution would be for us to do it ourselves and set up an FTP transfer option on one of our servers but that would probably involve hiring somebody to set that up and I see possible security issues in allowing outsiders to download files to our servers.
Ian Blundell
BHB Insurance
35 users, TAM 10.7, Fax@vantage 7.2

Lance Bateman

We're looking at the ShareFile from Citrix.

Bob

I agree with Lance!  What's nice it's not just some shared FTP site, each client and company situation is unique with encryption and separate credentials to access.

JohnGage

We like ShareFile but decided against it once we realized that we would not have an exact record of the attachments.  For better or worse we archive every message sent/received.  To that end archiving a message with links to ShareFile that couldn't be followed years later leaves us with a message but not the attachments. 

Since we don't have a better solution I wish we would have purchased the service, but then I'm not sold on archiving "everything forever" procedure in the first place.
John Gage
Systems Admin
Knight Crockett Miller Insurance Group - Toledo, OH
4 locations in Ohio and Indiana

53 users TAM Online

Jim Jensen

I currently use Logmein.com. The paid version allows secure file sharing. Logmein creates a link that I can email to the recipient and they download the file directly from my computer. I can set limits on the time and the number of downloads that are available. The downside is that I have to have the file on one of my physical drives, not a network share drive.
Jim Jensen
CIC, CEO, CIO, COO, CFO, Producer, CSR, Claims Handler, janitor....whatever else.
Jensen Ford Insurance
Indianapolis

Conan_Ward

Another alternative might be Globalscapes secure FTP solution, it should be able to handled limited use secure sites. It should be possible to create random user/pass combinations that expire after a set amount of time (like 2 weeks). Not sure if thats exactly what you need, but maybe...I've only got experience as a user of it, so i can't speak to the setup.

http://www.globalscape.com/eft/
Former TAM support, P&C licensed in Maryland, LFW

Billy Welsh

From what I understand (seminar info - have not yet personally researched) Sharefile allows you to set up a custom portal with 2-way file transfers and email notifications.  I believe it started out with CPAs and is now branching out with the purchase by Citrix.  No idea on pricing.  The other user would need an account, but you would control it.  You could certainly link it on your site.

A more simple solution would be Dropbox or similar, but you would need accts on both sides and not really a fit for what you want.  Could be done, but you would not want a public link on your site to the file/folder, and I don't believe you'd get the email notifications.
Billy Welsh
VP of Accounting
CableSouth Media, LLC dba SwyftConnect

Lance Bateman

Billy is correct - and the cost is significantly less than other solutions, at least at this time.

Cindy Russo

Hi All,

We use a YouSendIt site drobox www.gregoryappel.com/dropbox.  This accomplishes most of what Ian is looking for.  We use it internally as well as externally.

The dropped file notifications are routed to our receptionist who then forwards the link to the appropriate employee.  When using it internally, the employee puts their name in the Subject field, uploads the file(s), our receptionist receives the email notification, forwards the email with the link to the employee who can cut and copy or forward the link.  For our external clients, it's the same workflow except once our employee receives the link it doesn't typically need to be forwarded.  You can set how many days until link expiration and you can also control the number of downloads instances if desired.

Last summer to get a branded site dropbox we had to order the minimum 2 user plan $29.98 (which we don't use) and pay the Site Drop monthly fee $29.99.   At about $720 a year it's well worth it to us.  Hope this helps.

Gregory & Appel Insurance
TAM 12.0 - Moving to Epic 08/4/2014
Office 2010; Exchange 2010; 120 users
Indianapolis, IN

Jim Jensen

Welcome Cindy - glad to see you here! Haven't seen you much since Usenet groups - missed your presence. Hope it's wetter on your side of town than ours  ;)
Jim Jensen
CIC, CEO, CIO, COO, CFO, Producer, CSR, Claims Handler, janitor....whatever else.
Jensen Ford Insurance
Indianapolis

Cindy Russo

Thanks, Jim!  I decided I was overdue to participate, and will make a better effort to contribute going forward.

Anyway, thanks for the wishes, but not a drop here either and none predicted in the near future!   Cindy
Gregory & Appel Insurance
TAM 12.0 - Moving to Epic 08/4/2014
Office 2010; Exchange 2010; 120 users
Indianapolis, IN

Ian Blundell

Thanks Cindy
What is the monthly bandwidth allowed for your $60 per month?  ShareFile seems to have a $30 per month 2 user / unlimited clients plan.  Comes with custom branding and 5 GB (effectively 2.5 GB if every uploaded file is downloaded once) bandwidth.

Quote from: Cindy Russo on June 18, 2012, 04:12:15 PM
Hi All,

We use a YouSendIt site drobox www.gregoryappel.com/dropbox.  This accomplishes most of what Ian is looking for.  We use it internally as well as externally.

The dropped file notifications are routed to our receptionist who then forwards the link to the appropriate employee.  When using it internally, the employee puts their name in the Subject field, uploads the file(s), our receptionist receives the email notification, forwards the email with the link to the employee who can cut and copy or forward the link.  For our external clients, it's the same workflow except once our employee receives the link it doesn't typically need to be forwarded.  You can set how many days until link expiration and you can also control the number of downloads instances if desired.

Last summer to get a branded site dropbox we had to order the minimum 2 user plan $29.98 (which we don't use) and pay the Site Drop monthly fee $29.99.   At about $720 a year it's well worth it to us.  Hope this helps.
Ian Blundell
BHB Insurance
35 users, TAM 10.7, Fax@vantage 7.2

Ian Blundell

Thanks Conan
Their website isn't the most informative.  It looks like they want you to contact them with questions and a sales person will talk to you.

Quote from: Conan_Ward on June 18, 2012, 02:55:58 PM
Another alternative might be Globalscapes secure FTP solution, it should be able to handled limited use secure sites. It should be possible to create random user/pass combinations that expire after a set amount of time (like 2 weeks). Not sure if thats exactly what you need, but maybe...I've only got experience as a user of it, so i can't speak to the setup.

http://www.globalscape.com/eft/
Ian Blundell
BHB Insurance
35 users, TAM 10.7, Fax@vantage 7.2

Ian Blundell

Jim
GoToMyPC also has the file transfer option.  I don't think that I want people connecting into my computer to send or receive files.  I would then get involved with helping computer illiterates find the file on their system.  Not a place that I want to go.

Quote from: Jim Jensen on June 18, 2012, 02:50:38 PM
I currently use Logmein.com. The paid version allows secure file sharing. Logmein creates a link that I can email to the recipient and they download the file directly from my computer. I can set limits on the time and the number of downloads that are available. The downside is that I have to have the file on one of my physical drives, not a network share drive.
Ian Blundell
BHB Insurance
35 users, TAM 10.7, Fax@vantage 7.2

Cindy Russo

Our plan (enterprise) is 200GB/month download.  Upload isn't counted in that allocation.

Another option you may want to look at is www.zipsec.com, however that solution only takes of outbound needs.

Cindy
Gregory & Appel Insurance
TAM 12.0 - Moving to Epic 08/4/2014
Office 2010; Exchange 2010; 120 users
Indianapolis, IN