What Is Extreme File Transfer (XFT)?

There is a growing trend in the data transfer arena. What is extreme file transfer and why is there an increasing need for it?

There’s a new type of file transfer solution gaining traction in the IT world, and it focuses on larger files. As the advancing of technology has allowed for the larger dissemination of data, popular file transfer solutions, such as email basic and basic FTP, have become less effective in moving larger files further distances.

Businesses have turned to compression, or even physical delivery, as methods to send large files. Compression is a known attack vector. Physical delivery gets pricey and leaves companies at the mercy of the delivery services to ensure that data to its destination on time. Additionally, moving large files long distances over the wire creates various issues, such as slow upload and download speeds as well as a risk of data corruption that could bring a data transfer to a screeching halt. If you have service level agreements (SLAs) delivering that data, moving large files becomes risky.

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This is where extreme file transfer (XFT) comes in. These days, companies need to move a larger amount of data quickly and reliably. XFT is a newer type of file transfer solution that allows businesses to move a large amount of data faster and farther than ever before.

Just recently, Ipswitch gathered some intriguing results from an extreme file transfer and cloud survey of 323 customer and prospect respondents. Responses came in from multiple industries – technology, manufacturing, healthcare, government and more in North America, EMEA and other locations.

We asked respondents how they would rate their company’s need for extreme file transfer capabilities. These capabilities include transferring large files faster, more reliably and farther standard transmission techniques would allow for. We asked respondents about their plans to put key systems and applications in the cloud. Finally, we asked them to indicate any sensitivities they have to moving data to the cloud.

The results showed that data security and compliance with various data protection regulations are on the minds of the majority. 72% of respondents indicated that they transmit regulated data externally and 20% said they transmit non-regulated data externally. Further data illustrated that the healthcare is the industry that transmits the most sensitive data externally, followed by banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), technology, and finally, government.

The need for extreme file transfer shook out as follows – 10 percent have a large need, 30 percent have a growing need and 44 percent have an occasional need. The top three priorities were 1) transferring extremely large files quickly, 2) conserving bandwidth while transferring extremely large files and 3) transferring extremely large files long distance reliably. The industries with the biggest need were BFSI (96 percent), technology/software (90 percent), healthcare (84 percent) and government (80 percent).

The majority of companies are sharing, transferring and storing data in various locations. 84% expressed a need for extreme file transfer and 92% indicated a desire for externally sharing data. We can anticipate that XFT is going to become a more pressing requirement as video, hi-res and similar data types gain more prevalence.

Responses to questions about cloud vendor preference made it clear that there is a wide range of vendors respondents use. were included as well. Nearly 34% of respondents have plans to deploy key applications and systems to the public cloud, and 28% already have key applications and systems in the public cloud.

Data security is important in selecting a cloud vendor for 43% of respondents. The data also indicates that data security is critical, and requires keeping all data and file transfer systems on premise, for 43% of respondents. Nearly 14% of respondents indicated they would buy file transfer solutions from a cloud vendor. This suggests that cloud solutions are becoming increasingly popular, despite security concerns. This is important to be aware of because cloud vendors need to accommodate customers’ concerns if they wish to accelerate this transition.

With companies’ need for a quicker, more secure, and more reliable method of transportation for large files, we’re noticing growing trends in XFT. All vertical market segments should pay attention to the range of solutions available that will meet their needs.