The Effectiveness of FTP File Sharing

Friday, November 25, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
When it comes to file sharing, many people rely on an email service. However, one can still suffer numerous setbacks when sending files via email. It is inconvenient to use email when sending large files because of the size limit for file attachments. Another concern is the lack of security. Since this file sharing method is not encrypted, sending documents with sensitive client information is not recommended.

SmartFileWhen email just won’t do, FTP file sharing can do the job of sending files for you. A file transfer protocol file sharing service has become one of the most popular services being offered on the Internet. Both easy and effective, file transfer protocol is now widely accepted by casual Internet users and serious business owners for their respective file sharing tasks. It has several features that make it ideal for sharing sensitive and large files.

SmartFile understands that confidentiality can never be compromised. We offer online file storage services with encrypted channels through SSL for data exchange. Our service gives you the option to set permissions for folders, custom branding, multiple connections and fast file exchanges. If you want to learn how effective this service is, consider signing up today for our 14-day free trial.

A Comparison of FTP and HTTP in Online File Exchanges

Thursday, November 17, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
File Transfer Protocol is a method of transferring files from one computer to another in a network. To use this method of file exchange, users only need to drag and drop files from one location to another or input console commands. Highly convenient and efficient, this has become a popular choice among Internet users and business owners.

The advantages of FTP over HTTP in file transfer are batch file exchanges, that they can be accessed by aSmartFile terminal (for Linux/Unix) or a command prompt (for Windows) and that they have the option to use Secure Socket Layer encryption to protect your files during exchange. You have the option to set file/folder permissions to deny access to other users. It also does fast file transfer because it is straightforward and designed for large file transfers. HTTP is slower because it has to perform several jobs like reading headers, detecting the user agent and other routines before it starts the transfer.

SmartFile is one of the providers that offers convenient file sharing solutions using file transfer protocol. If you are interested in this service and want to try it out first, sign up for our 14-day free trial and enjoy the benefits with no limitations. This will let you determine how this service can benefit you.

A File Sharing Service Allowed by The Great Firewall of China

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
The Golden Shield Project or the Great Firewall of China blocks a lot of websites that are considered harmful or a threat. Some of the popular file sharing websites are blocked, making file sharing very difficult. If you are looking for a storage solution that isn't blocked by China, check out SmartFile's storage service.

SmartFileMany people try to bypass China's firewall in order to share files. However, this can be cumbersome. You need to install programs, look for proxies or edit system files. SmartFile offers a simple solution for sharing files with people in China. You don't have to worry about dead links or intercepted data. Our online media storage service also offers great features like FTP access, API access, multiple users, file permissions, online file zipping/unzipping and secure file encryption.

You can also use our service as a backup solution. Your files are safe from damage caused by hardware or software issues since your files are stored in our remote servers. Even if your office network or computer system crashes, you can use another computer to access your files.

Try our service today by signing up for our free trial. You get 14-days of unrestricted service to give you ample time to evaluate the features.

Investing in Online Storage Service to Improve Business Processes

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
In this fast-paced world, investing in different technological advancements can help maximize your revenue. Online storage is one of the services that can help increase the efficiency of your business processes. You should choose a provider that is trusted by many to ensure that you'll get the best out of your investment.

Consumers are opting to online media storage services because it allows them to have more savings. Since they no longer require hardware or physical storage devices, they can use their savings for other matters such as equipment upgrades. Accessibility is unquestionable, because online data can be accessed wherever they are in the world. This service also offers several security features like easy file transfer with SSL, access permissions and user limitations.

These are just some of the reasons why it is good to invest in a reliable online file storage solution. Out of the many services available, it is best to partner with a trusted and reliable provider. A good choice to consider is SmartFile.  Our clientele includes Microsoft, Accenture, Yahoo!, and Dell. Sign up for a 14-day free trial for you to understand why we are the smartest choice when it comes to FTP and file sharing services.

Advantages of Having a Large Online Storage for Data in Logistics

Thursday, September 22, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
Logistics involves the proper management of the flow of various goods and services. Given the customer’s specific objectives, everything must be done with utmost efficiency. From the planning down to the execution, monitoring the movement and placement of the goods/services must be implemented the best way possible.

SmartFileThis is the reason Logistic companies rely on large online storage to help them manage data. Online data storage helps even small logistics companies accomplish secure file sharing and storage. By adding users and setting permissions, Logistic companies are able to share files with their clients without worrying about unsecured file transfers and file size limitations email services have.

You can get all these and more from SmartFile. You will be able to manage your files conveniently and back them up in our secure and reliable servers as often as you need to. This can be done via any web browser or FTP programs. Other features you will get are unlimited number of users connected to your account, timed-user sessions and the ability to set file and folder permissions.

Improve the business processes of your Logistic company. Let us help you manage your data. Sign up for our 14-day free trial today.

SmartFile Offers Secure Data Management

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
File Transfer Protocol offers a convenient way of sharing files from one location to another without worrying about unauthorized data access. Because every session is encrypted, you can be confident that your data is secured even during the process of transferring files.

SmartFileSmall and large scale businesses in different industries can benefit from an online FTP service.  Aside from giving different people permission to access your files, you can also schedule file back ups through a reliable and fast FTP service. One of the many things people tend to forget is to regularly back up their files. With a scheduler, you simply have to choose how often you want to back up your files, which folders you want to back up and what time of the day you want to do the process.

Businesses with virtual offices should have an online file management service they can rely on. This means choosing a service that has zero downtime, a friendly UI and RAID configured storage mediums. You need to look for a service that has an easy-to-understand interface to make sure all users who need to access your files will be able to do so even if they don't have knowledge about the different FTP command lines.

Sign up for SmartFile's free 14-day trial and see an improvement on your business processes.

Mail Big Files Efficiently with a Reliable FTP Server

Thursday, September 15, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
One of the common methods people use to mail big files is to compress the files and attach them to several email messages. Another method people resort to, is to use different online applications to transfer bulk files. While all these are plausible means of moving files, it is often hard to rely on these services. Also, you cannot always be confident that file transfers are done on secure servers. If you are dealing with confidential files online, security is one of the most important things you have to consider when looking for ways to send and receive files.

SmartFileLaw firms are some of the many businesses which need a secure way of sharing files. If a law firm simply depends on conventional means of sharing files, anyone can break into the system and have unauthorized access to your clients' files.

A secure FTP software provides a venue for a network of users to share, store, and transfer data easily. You won't have to worry about unauthorized access to your files as you can set the level of permission for different users. This is especially important if you have to share confidential files to different clients. You can have your files on different folders and send access permission to these folders to different clients without worrying about directing them to other parts of your database.

SmartFile offers a secure and convenient venue for sharing files. Sign up for our free 14-day trial now and give your firm the security it deserves when it comes to handling confidential data.

Improve Business Efficiency with Automatic FTP Upload

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
SmartFileAutomatic FTP upload is part of the standard features of an online data management service. This means that transfer and sharing files becomes easier since you can schedule all your tasks. With this feature, you won't have to worry about forgetting to update files and folders, which improves business efficiency. Aside from this feature, online storage services also allow anyone with permission to access, edit, update, download and upload files in your account.

The beauty of online file storage service is that you can stop worrying about losing important data due to hard drive problems like head crash, virus infections or faulty controller electronics. As long as a user has access to the Internet - retrieval, storage, and sharing of files are possible. Manufacturing and health care industries all around the world are vastly shifting to this technology because of the risks involved in losing confidential and important information. Features such as file transfer, multiple access to files and automatic file upload over a secure system take the worries away of many businesses.

Are you ready to give SmartFile a try? You don't have to sign up for a contract immediately. You can try our services for free for 14 days so you have time evaluate our features and see how we can help your business.

The Convenience of Automatic FTP Download

Monday, August 8, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
One of the features you have to look for in an online multimedia storage service is its capability for automatic FTP download.

automate FTP downloadFTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is one of the many ways you can opt to send, receive and manage files online. This service is important, especially when you are managing your own website.

When you are able to automate FTP download, you’ll only be asked to provide configuration settings during the first session. The settings will serve as guidelines for subsequent sessions and will ensure that the necessary files are uploaded or downloaded automatically at the right time and to the right location.

Depending on the features provided by your chosen service such as SmartFile, you may specify the files you wish to queue for automatic FTP upload or download according to their timestamps or file size. You can also automate their conversion to a different file name and the deletion of source files once the transfer has been completed. Higher-end servers also allow users to configure settings for setting access permissions and automate the process for subsequent sessions or transfers.

We offer various FTP features you can use to make managing files online convenient for you. Sign up for our 14-day free trial today and earn the opportunity to try a business-class FTP server that offers a full list of features for automation.

Keep Sales Records Safely With Online Media Storage

Friday, June 24, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
Businesses that process a lot of sales need to ensure the safety of their records. If you lose your records, auditing can be a problem. It is necessary to backup your data often to prevent data loss that may disrupt your business.

Online storage websiteCommon storage solutions like network attached storage or external hard drives are bulky and can be very expensive. Many small businesses cannot afford these devices. Most of them are often in high risk of losing all their important files because they don't have back up storage for their data. A good solution to this is getting an online storage service. This service is a secure way to store important data and be able to access them even if your system crashes. Data is transferred using an FTP client or through a web based control panel. A nice feature of this service is it allows you to set several levels of user permissions. This lets you limit your employee’s access to your files. You can also incorporate the provider's API backup module into your order processing software to automate the storage process. This lets you process orders and the record is uploaded directly to your storage account.

Get affordable online storage solutions from SmartFile. We offer storage plans that are streamlined to your needs. Take advantage of our 14-day free trial and experience the convenience of online storage and file management.

How to Choose the Right File Transfer Protocol Service Provider

Friday, April 29, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
File Transfer Protocol SiteIt’s very important to choose the best File Transfer Protocol software for managing your company’s files. This is even more critical if you are doing business online since your FTP server is responsible for storing and managing all your files. If the server fails, your website and business consequently fails. Your website isn't able to access files needed for your store’s shopping cart and cash register system to work. These are just some of the consequences you could suffer when you choose the wrong company that uses bad FTP software.

Choosing the right FTP service provider doesn't have to be difficult. While you may find a lot of free FTP programs online, you shouldn't rely on these programs to cater to all your company's needs. Consider the range of features offered by different providers. Never sign up with a service that can’t offer automation and scheduling. Look for a service provider that will allow you to quickly and easily set up sub-accounts for other users as well as configure access permission for each and every sub-account in your group.

Find out other exciting features you can enjoy with SmartFile's online file management service. Take advantage of our free 14-day trial now.


FTP Automatic Services- A Convenient Way of Managing Online Data

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
When you’re looking for an online management service for your business, make sure that you choose one that offers a comprehensive range of FTP automatic services.

File Transfer Protocol SiteYou should look for a service that will allow you to automatically resume broken transfer. A lot of things could interrupt file uploads and downloads. To save time and avoid further problems, make sure you choose a company that offers automatic uploads, downloads and scheduled backups. This way, you can put file management at the back of your mind because you know you have a trusted company that is managing your files.

When files are uploaded, there are some services which allow you to automate access permission for the newly uploaded files. SmartFile for instance, allows you to determine which users in your group or account can read, write, or execute specific files in the server.

File deletion may also be automated. Once files are uploaded or downloaded to another destination, you can authorize your server to automatically delete the source files. This is one of those tedious and time-consuming tasks that people tend to forget or are reluctant to perform, which is why it’s a great thing if your File Transfer Protocol site can do it for you.

If you have been looking for a convenient and reliable online management service, you should take advantage of our 14-day free trial. Experience how easy managing your data is with a service like ours.

Reseller Program Allows Your Customers to Enjoy Secure File Transfers

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
mail big fileAn email service has limitations when it comes to file sharing. It is rare that an email service will allow you to attach large files in your emails. Even if you purchase a premium email account, the increased attachment size will be rarely matched by the receiver. This results into bounced emails and failed data transfer. Online storage websites offer a more secure and effective method of transferring files. This service offers secure file transfers through a SSL encrypted connection, password protection, file folder permissions and user restrictions. This service is easier to maintain and is cheaper because you don't need to buy additional hardware to take advantage of this service.

FTP download sites and online storage solutions are cost-effective options which can greatly help increase productivity and efficiency in your business. If you have a growing business and are in search for other ways to increase your profits, you can share this great service to your customers through our Private Label Program. This allows you to resell storage services and brand it under your company. This program also fully integrates with your current business processes like the processing of orders and payments. There is no need to redesign your website or redirect customers to another page.

Increase your business revenue with our reseller program. Get a custom domain name and a custom branded website with your company logo. Be a SmartFile reseller today.

A Beginner’s Guide to FTP File Permissions

Friday, March 18, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
FTP file permissions are more easily understood when you divide the term into two concepts.

FTP file permissionFTP stands for file transfer protocol, and this refers to programs or systems that are made up of very specific rules and commands which identify the ways you may or may not send or receive files. In most cases, this system can be accessed, managed, and utilized online although there are also file transfer protocol programs that only operate within a given local area network (LAN).

File permissions, on the other hand, are rules that the account owner or administrator sets to determine who gets what kind of access to which folders.

The type of restrictions you can set will depend on the range of features or services that your preferred data hosting and management provider can offer.

For starters, some systems allow account administrators to create sub-user accounts to enable other parties to access their data. These accounts may have variable limits, depending on the administrator’s preferences.

One sub-account, for instance, may only access a certain group of folders. Another sub-account may only add or download data but will not be allowed to edit or delete them. Yet another sub-account could only stay online for thirty minutes a day before his account gets automatically logged out for the whole day.

SmartFile is a file transfer protocol site that offers online data management for your business. Sign up for our free 14-day trial and see how this service works.

Transfer Big Files through FTP

Friday, February 11, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
mail big fileSending data, especially bulk files through email can be a very tedious process because attaching files can take a very long time. Also, you may not be able to share some files or send a batch of files in one email because of the size limit an email service has. Sending a video with a huge file size would be impossible to do through email.

Today, you now have a great alternative to sending files via emails. By using a file transfer protocol site, you can easily share, transfer and mail big file sizes easily. Most people have second thoughts of using this kind of service because they think they have to learn codes and numerous command lines. If you are one of these people, there is good news for you: you don't have to know a lot about FTP to use it. In fact, with a great service provider like SmartFile, you don't have to know a single command code to accomplish your tasks. A few clicks here and there and you're job is done.

By signing up for our service, you can securely share data with other people through our permission based folders, access your account through FTP, web interface or API and use your own domain name, logo and color scheme. Try our service for free for 14 days and know why a lot of people have chosen us over other services. 

Secure Sharing with Online Media Storage

Saturday, February 5, 2011 by SmartFile Marketing Team
Many businesses share large amounts of data especially companies with several branches. Business processes, updates and other company-related information are passed around the Internet all the time. Common ways of sending data are sometimes not reliable because of limitations like file size limits.

online media storageSharing information with other users is common in many businesses. Email service is one of the common methods of sending data. Most email services have file size limits that don't allow you to send files larger than 10MB. Your data may also be compromised and exposed to unauthorized individuals because this method doesn't have security features. If you want to share files securely, consider employing an online media storage service. This file storage service allows you to save files online and can be accessed by authorized users using FTP or web interface. You can share large files by sending a download link to the file. This service has safety features like password protection, user permissions and SSL connection.

If your business is looking for an effective way to share data, consider online data storage from SmartFile. We provide fast upload and download speeds so you can access your files easily. You can try our service for free by signing up for our 14-day free trial.

Basic File Data Storage Websites and their Limitations

Thursday, December 9, 2010 by SmartFile Marketing Team

There are many file storage websites available in the market. Some offer free storage for a limited space. While it may sound like a very good deal, you should know that there are disadvantages with this kind of storage service.

File storage services online offer a small disk space and only uses HTTP for data transfer. Your data’s security can be compromised because it is transmitted as is. The best way to store your files securely is to use FTP storage service. This service uses FTPES or SSL over FTP to encrypt your connection during data transfer. FTP transfers are faster than HTTP transfers because unlike FTP which sends raw data, HTTP has to send extra data like Meta data and headers before transmitting the actual data.

With FTP storage, you are able to set several levels of users with different permissions to access your data. This is ideal for businesses with several administrators. FTP also has a feature that allows you to send big files through email. This Link-2-email feature allows you to send links to your clients using email so they can download large files directly to their computer.

If you have a business and are looking for a secure way to store and share files, try SmartFile's free 14 day trial and see what SmartFile can do for you.

How FTP Works

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 by SmartFile Marketing Team

FTPFile Transfer Protocol was written by Abhay Bushan on April 16, 1971. It was first published as RFC 114 then replaced by RFC 765 and RFC 959 which is the current specification for this protocol. It is used in transferring files from one host to another over a TCP/IP network. This protocol is usually employed in FTP online storage service. Have you ever wondered how FTP transfers files between computers?

The control connection is made by the client to the server using TCP on port 21 which is the default port. Once the connection is established, the server opens port 20 depending on the negotiation. This port is the data connection where data is transferred. The client sends FTP server commands over the control channel and data is transferred on the data connection. FTP uses short text commands such as LIST, PWD, APPE, DELE to manage the files on the server. FTP file permissions can also be modified by sending commands over the control channel.

FTP is a protocol that can be used to transfer large files between computers. If you are looking for an affordable file sharing service, take advantage of SmartFile's 14 day free trial today and see how FTP can make handling files easier.

Limiting Users Access to Files/Folders

Monday, November 1, 2010 by Brian Dowden
     Lets say you have a folder that all of your clients log into. Within that you have a folder for each of your 4 clients and a "community" folder. You want them to be able to access their specific folder and the community folder but not have access to the other clients files. Here is how you would set that up.
    
For this example we will have a folder called Clients. In that folder will be folders called Client 1, Client 2, Client 3, Client 4, and Community. When creating the user you will set their home directory to Clients. Make sure that they have "Show Contents" permission only to that folder. Now give them full access to their folder by going to Actions -> Edit Access Rights to the right of the Client 1 folder.  Do the same by granting permissions to the Community folder. If you only want then to be able to download files in the community folder, check the show contents and download permissions and then click save. 

Now when Client 1 logs in They will only be able to upload/download files in the Client 1 folder and download files from the community folder. They will not be able to view or edit any files in the other Client folders. These permissions will be in effect for both HTTP and FTP. 

With SmartFile, sharing and managing files online is very easy. Click here to start using your FREE trial.
    

How Much Does It Really Cost To Setup And Maintain Your Own FTP Server?

Thursday, April 8, 2010 by Brian Dowden
Let’s face it, most people in Information Technology love control. Control over systems, control over data, and most importantly control over YOU. I’m not suggesting these are bad characteristics to possess when you are trying to protect your company’s most crucial asset, such as your data. Let’s face it, I would be a little nervous if the thing that kept me gainfully employed was taken away from me because it was cheaper and easier than having it in-house. This often creates a problem when a person on the business side of the company needs to make a decision based on the limited amount of information he or she is getting from IT.

This article is written to outline the expected costs involved in getting your FTP solution in place, thus giving you the facts when it comes to making an important business decision. There are several ways to go about configuring an FTP server, below is the most common:

1. Hardware ($2500)
Price ranges on processor speed and how much hard drive space you need. Here are the specs of a slimmed down server:
  • Dual Xeon 1.83Ghz Processors
  • Windows Server Web Edition
  • 1 Terabyte of storage
  • Raid 5 (For hard drive redundancy)
  • 4 Gigs of Memory
  • 3 Year ProSupport

2. Software ($500)
There are many FTP server software programs to choose from. They range in price based on product features and how many users can access the account. There are many providers offering this type of product, but I have chosen three popular programs:
  • Serv-U ($199-$999)
  • GlobalScape ($696 – $1,995)
  • FileZilla – (FREE)

3. Bandwidth (Soft Cost)
Hosting an FTP server in-house will certainly eat into your bandwidth when users start uploading and downloading files. This can cause a dangerous ripple effect on other employees trying to perform important functions such as emailing, web browsing, video conferencing and in some cases, phone calls.

4. Setup Time (1 Day)
  • Configure Windows
  • Purchase SSL (If security is a concern)
  • Configure Network
                   - IP addresses
                   - Hostnames
                   - Firewall Provisioning
  • Configure FTP software
  • Configure Backups
                 - Create user accounts
                 - Create directories
                 - Create file system permissions
                 - FTP server permissions

5. Support (Ongoing)
Must have tech-savvy person on staff to do the following:
  • Manage
  • Backup
  • Troubleshoot problems
  • Apply patches to server
  • Upgrade
  • Monitor
It’s easy to say that you can spend $5000 in creating an FTP server that people can use, not to mention ongoing costs. Cost aside, it will still not have features like custom branding, a web interface that allows anyone to upload/download a file, and a way for any non-IT person to administer.

Before making the decision to bring FTP in-house, I would highly suggest giving SmartFile a try (for as little as a $108.00 a year). Who knows, you might even make your IT person happy.
A Dell PowerEdge server