Big and fast. Speedy and large. It’s a combination that’s sometimes tricky to execute, especially when it comes to sending large data files rapidly. Do you sacrifice speed? Do you risk having files interrupted mid-stream? Or do you roll the dice and hope your file won’t be rejected from the starting gate? You don’t have to make these kinds of choices when you use a file transfer solution that can take on the heft and speed.
Large Files Can Cause Big Headaches
Let’s talk about those large files you need to send regularly, or maybe even only on an ad-hoc basis.
If you’re sending that big file via a traditional email client, most attachments are limited in size to about 10 MB to 25 MB (that starting gate rejection mentioned earlier). If you do manage to get past the initial send, you then run the risk of having your file interrupted mid-stream if it’s on the higher side of that size limit.
If you need to regularly send large files by email, a dedicated file transfer solution or even an email add-on is a more secure, reliable way to send them. Secure email is another way to send ad-hoc email messages without size or file type restrictions.
First, Table These Options for Big File Sends
- Free file transfer tools: This choice is fine if what you’re sending does not need any security or privacy precautions. If, however, your file does contain sensitive data (and most do feature at least some – names, personal identifying information and more – free file transfer technology should not be an option. The risks are just too high. Plus, if you need to meet any compliance requirements or need to track or audit file activity, free is a choice that could end up costing you in terms of exposure.
Related Reading: What is Wrong with Free File Transfer?
- FTP and Homegrown Scripts: First, FTP doesn’t stand up to the cyberthreats that exist today. You’ve got more secure options, such as managed file transfer and secure mail. Second, those scripts you’ve had around forever are tough to keep up with, should you need a change. And, if the individual who created the script’s not around, changes are pretty tough to make and waste valuable IT time. There are just too many “what ifs” with homemade scripts to keep using them You’ve got more secure options.
Relief Options for Big File Troubles
While a few choices should be immediately scrapped when it comes to your large file sends, you do have good choices for those weighty files, including:
Email. Yes, You CAN Still Send Large Files by Email
Despite the hazards noted earlier, email can and does work to send large files with a few caveats in place, such as:
- Zipping files to shrink the attachment size
- Sending multiple files separately, or splitting files up and attaching to individual emails
- Reducing images, although this can be a problem if the image is for a print of web piece if high-quality images are required.
If these options don’t appeal or fully meet your requirements, transfer your large files with secure email, such as that provided with managed file transfer (MFT).
Secure mail allows anyone in your organization to send those ad-hoc emails without the restrictions otherwise made on size and file type. Bonus: you can attach files of any size. And these files are immediately encrypted and made secure before sending. Rather than a standard attachment, your recipient receives an email with a unique link to your secure “package.” Then, through secure HTTPS, the message and files can be safely downloaded. This option provides you with more control over the files you send, including how many times it's downloaded and how long the file is even viewable.
Secure File Transfer for Large Files is Your Best Choice
Managed file transfer is an excellent choice for organizations needing to send large files, and to send them fast. Robust solutions, such as GoAnywhere MFT, automate and streamline the process of exchanging sensitive data both within and outside organizations.
GoAnywhere is a centralized, enterprise-level solution that easily works within your current processes, features a centralized, dashboard-friendly user interface, and translates data between many popular, familiar formats. With GoAnywhere in place, you can easily meet compliance requirements for auditing, tracking, and reporting as well as encryption and authentication.
And, unlike free file transfer or homemade scripts, GoAnywhere has auto-resume, to both restart a file transfer should it be interrupted (and alert you before your recipient ever knows it didn’t make it). Plus, by keeping information out of the DMZ, GoAnywhere keeps your sensitive data out of the hands of cyber criminals while in transit and at rest.
Related Reading: Here are 19 Ways to Transfer Big Files
Why Choose GoAnywhere MFT for Big (and Fast) File Transfers?
- Size doesn’t matter: Whether ad-hoc or multiple large file transfers, MFT has the muscle to send files of any size quickly.
- Scalability and high visibility: Send multiple big files without throwing off your entire system.
- Automation ease: Take the load off personnel when you let GoAnywhere’s automation features take over manual, repetitive tasks.
- Security: With secure file transfer, information is encrypted throughout its journey.
- Speed: Large files are transferred over UDP data channels for acceleration.
Have a Need for Even More Speed? FileCatalyst Has It.
If your organization regularly needs to send large and even growing files fast, like broadcasters, film studios, medical facilities, and more, FileCatalyst, part of Fortra suite of security solutions, delivers accelerated file transfer.
FileCatalyst was designed specifically to allow the transfer of large files over remote networks experiencing high latency or packet loss. This fast file transfer service lets you work on data as it arrives, even if the entire dataset isn’t fully delivered – helpful to organizations sending data via video or from remote locations.
The solution’s UDP-based protocol transfers large data much faster, compressing files as they are sent, rather than requiring time-consuming compression and decompression before and after a file is transmitted.
How fast is fast? Check out this file speed calculator and see for yourself.
How Does FileCatalyst Send Files Fast?
TCP streaming allows for FileCatalyst’s file transfer acceleration to take place even when UDP is not possible. And it supports delta transfer algorithms. This allows users to revise their files and send just the revision instead of the entire file, saving valuable time. Once the revision arrives to its destination, the original file is modified.
Organizations depend on FileCatalyst to accelerate their file transfers wherever they are in the world, regardless of network strength, a huge plus in situations with remote locations and unreliable networks. Collaboration needn’t be halted as secure file exchanges can be conducted quickly as needed, whatever the situation.
Industry Leading Options for Streamlining Large File Transfers
Both GoAnywhere MFT and FileCatalyst are part of Fortra’ data security suite. Depending on your unique file transfer needs for size and/or speed, one of these solutions can help your organization expedite and secure your large file transfers.
Try a Better Way to Send Big Files Fast
GoAnywhere MFT offers centralization, flexibility, security, and simplicity for fast large file transfers. And if speed no matter where you are in the world is your primary goal in file transfers, be sure to give FileCatalyst a free try.
