The pros of incorporating tech in the work process outweigh the cons by a large margin.
Interacting with customers has been a lot easier compared to before, and using technology has paved the way to several new markets where businesses can earn more.
Among the contributions of tech innovation, perhaps the most notable is file transfer technology.
It’s easy to downplay the positive impact of file transfer technology, but just imagine how pesky it was to wait in line for that old fax machine to send and receive documents.
Do you still remember the rickety sounds it makes and how inconvenient it was to wait for the person in front of you to get finished using the machine?
Or the time when you had to drive for hours to get a client to sign a document? Or that moment when your office table is cluttered with invoices and forms?
The mountain of paper is a nightmare, but recall how terrifying it was to organize them.
Simply put, file transfer technology is the unsung hero that revolutionized the work environment.
If you’re thinking of upping your game and upgrading your current file transfer tech, here are four factors to consider when selecting file transfer technology:
Security
It’s as plain as day that security should be your topmost concern, not only with file transfer tech but also with everything that concerns the business.
For one, the company must protect its assets from internal and external threats, because all forms of security breach can even cost you the business.
The caveat of using file transfer technology is that it may pose a vulnerability, especially if the method you’re using is outdated and the encryption is not end-to-end.
When it comes to cybersecurity, you’d want to stay atop of it at all times, and that includes updating your digital processes regularly.
However, given the dynamic nature of the workplace, keeping tabs on what goes inside and outside of the company’s network can be quite a chore.
The IT team can take over this job, but file transfer tech is not the only digital process in the company.
Because of this, many owners are presently considering managed file transfer (MFT) services to take on the task of updating, troubleshooting, and maintaining the file transfer system.
Updates are half the battle when it comes to cybersecurity, and the remaining half ensures that there’s no downtime at any given moment.
You can check out https://www.goanywhere.com/solutions/managed-file-transfer and other similar sites to know more about MFT.
Customization
So, here’s the catch: not all file transfer systems are compatible with your work processes. Some file transfer systems are limited, one way or another.
In addition, although all of these systems can do what they’re intended for (i.e., to transfer files), some of them have functionalities (or a lack thereof) that may or may not work with your current workflow.
That’s why it’s crucial that you first check out the functionalities and the benefits of any file transfer service you’re eyeing. Ensuring that they will improve and not hamper your workflow will let you get the bang out of your buck.
Likewise, the service you will get must also have a variety of permission customization settings. This is because limiting employee access based on their job description, commonly known as the principle of least privilege or POLP, is another layer of security that you must make.
Moreover, POLP makes it easier for you to audit who sent what at any given time.
Security aside, having to audit who has access to transferred files and who transferred them in the first place will help you know who needs to be accountable if problems arise.
Accessibility
With cloud storage incorporated into most file system services, your file transfer service must have a cloud-compatibility system that allows employees who are not within the company’s premises to still have access to files.
There may be some security reservations for this, but depending on the type of encryption, the pathway for the file should be safe despite outside access.
This is critical, especially for employees who work remotely or those who primarily do fieldwork.
Furthermore, you can curb the security threat it poses by limiting the privilege of those who access the system outside.
You can limit it to receive-only and other extra tasks that need to be performed inside the company’s premises.
Cost
After guaranteeing that a service is the best fit for your company, consider how much it costs. File transfer systems are indeed a worthy investment, but they shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Be wary of the terms and conditions of the service that you’ll get. There are times when contract lock-ins are too good to be true, granted companies offer discounts with them.
However, lock-ins make it difficult for your company to switch to a better file transfer system.
Additionally, ensure that the provider you’ll get is compliant with laws and has different certifications.
While this can potentially make the service more expensive, it’s better to spend a few more bucks to have the assurance that your file transfer system is certified.
Final Thoughts
File transfer technology is heaven-sent in making your workflow efficient and more robust. Finding the right file transfer system for your company may be challenging, but it’s all worth the hassle.
Read more: How To Improve IT Support Efficiency
