Coviant Software
DIPLOMAT MFT v9.2

A: Many managed file transfer products started out as an SFTP server with some back-end functionality and lightweight automations added later. Diplomat MFT was designed from the start with a security-first approach to be a complete and secure managed file transfer solution, scalable to meet the needs of the most demanding, enterprise-grade environments. Diplomat MFT’s features and automations make MFT simple without sacrificing security or performance and include Diplomat MFT managed file transfer software, our Edge Gateway, and the Diplomat MFT SFTP server.

A: An edge gateway sits in your network’s DMZ facing the public internet where it allows and monitors connections from authorized third parties and preventing access from threat actors. That keeps your data protected behind the firewall. Without an edge gateway, sensitive data and authentication credentials for the managed file transfer process are handled in the open, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

A: File encryption is important for keeping data safe because it makes it unreadable and useless to anyone without a decryption key. Without automation, PGP encryption requires complex  and confusing command line applications, and so many organizations skip it for the sake of convenience. Diplomat MFT automates the entire PGP encryption/decryption process, making  it simple to keep data as safe as possible at rest or in transit.

1. Security Features:

• Consideration: Evaluate the security features offered by each vendor, such as encryption methods (SSL/TLS, SFTP, PGP), access controls, and data-at-rest protection.
• Importance: Security is paramount when transferring sensitive data, especially in industries like healthcare, finance, and government.

2. Compliance Support:

• Consideration: Check whether the MFT solution supports industry-specific regulations (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR) and offers compliance reporting features.
• Importance: Compliance is critical in industries with strict regulatory requirements, such as healthcare, finance, and legal services.

3. Integration Capabilities:

• Consideration: Assess the ability of the MFT solution to integrate with your existing systems, including ERP, CRM, and cloud storage platforms.
• Importance: Integration streamlines business processes, making it crucial in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and retail.

4. Scalability:

• Consideration: Determine whether the MFT software can scale to accommodate your organization’s growing data transfer needs.
• Importance: Scalability is vital for industries with fluctuating data volumes, such as retail during peak seasons.

5. User-Friendliness:

• Consideration: Evaluate the user interface and ease of use of the MFT solution. Consider the learning curve for your staff.
• Importance: User-friendly software enhances productivity and reduces training time, benefiting all industries.

6. Performance and Speed:

• Consideration: Test the performance and transfer speed of the MFT software under realistic conditions to ensure it meets your requirements.
• Importance: Industries like media and entertainment require fast data transfer for content distribution.

7. Automation and Workflow:

• Consideration: Explore the automation and workflow capabilities of the MFT solution, including scheduling, triggers, and notification systems.
• Importance: Automation is essential for optimizing processes in industries like manufacturing, supply chain, and energy.

8. Reliability and Uptime:

• Consideration: Research the vendor’s historical uptime and reliability. Look for failover and redundancy options.
• Importance: Reliability is crucial in industries like telecommunications, where downtime can disrupt services.

9. Support and Maintenance:

• Consideration: Examine the vendor’s support options, including technical support, updates, and documentation.
• Importance: Timely support is critical in industries like healthcare, where downtime can impact patient care.

10. Cost and Licensing:

• Consideration: Understand the pricing structure, including licensing fees, subscription models, and any hidden costs.
• Importance: Cost considerations are vital in all industries to ensure the solution aligns with your budget.

11. Vendor Reputation:

• Consideration: Research the vendor’s reputation, customer reviews, and case studies to gauge their track record.
• Importance: Vendor reliability is essential in industries like aerospace and defense, where sensitive data is involved.

12. Customization and Flexibility:

• Consideration: Assess the software’s customization options to tailor it to your specific needs.
• Importance: Customization is valuable in industries like legal services, where unique workflows may be required.

13. Data Transfer Protocols:

• Consideration: Ensure that the MFT solution supports a wide range of transfer protocols (e.g., FTP, SFTP, HTTP/S).
• Importance: Protocol flexibility is essential for compatibility with diverse systems and partners in various industries.

14. Data Analytics and Reporting:

• Consideration: Look for advanced reporting and analytics capabilities to gain insights into file transfer activities.
• Importance: Data analytics are valuable in industries like finance for auditing and compliance purposes.

By carefully considering these factors and conducting a thorough comparison and review of managed file transfer vendors, businesses can make an informed decision that aligns with their specific industry requirements and organizational goals.

Comparing vendors against each other can be challenging due to several factors:

• Specific Requirements: The suitability of an MFT solution depends on the specific needs and requirements of an organization. What may be a disadvantage for one company might be an advantage for another, depending on their unique use case.
• Feature Sets: MFT solutions vary in terms of their feature sets, and what may be a strength in one solution might not be as critical for another organization. It’s essential to evaluate features based on your specific priorities.
• Budget Considerations: Different organizations have varying budget constraints, and what might be cost-effective for one business may not align with the budget of another.
• Company Size: The size of an organization can also impact which MFT solution is the best fit. Smaller companies might prioritize ease of use and cost-effectiveness, while larger enterprises may prioritize scalability and advanced features.
• Industry Requirements: Different industries have unique compliance and security requirements. Some MFT solutions are tailored to specific industries and regulatory standards, making them a better fit for organizations in those sectors.
• Vendor Reputation: Vendor reputation can vary, and the perception of a vendor’s reputation may be influenced by factors such as customer support, reliability, and past experiences.

To conduct a fair and accurate comparison, it’s essential to assess MFT solutions based on your organization’s specific needs, industry requirements, budget, and scalability demands. Consider conducting a detailed evaluation, potentially with the assistance of a qualified IT consultant, to ensure you select the MFT solution that aligns best with your unique circumstances.