BIOS: Technology Means Business

Ipswitch has today introduced WS_FTP Data Management Suite. The new product delivers workflow-enabled data management with built-in security and FTP products: WS_FTP Professional 2006, WS_FTP Server and WS_FTP Secure Software Development Kit (SDK).

WS_FTP Data Management Suite enables 'everyone' in an organisation to set up and manage reliable and secure data movement and transfer work. End users can use the automation capabilities built in to WS_FTP Professional 2006 to schedule and manage recurring data management applications, and non-programmers can 'build' applications using the automatic synchronisation and scheduling features of WS_FTP Professional 2006. End users can also save and recall any mix of local and remote locations for bi-directional secure transfers.

Server administrators can implement workflows by customising the Notification Engine of WS_FTP Server. Using the Notification Engine, Ipswitch says it is easy to notify and/or automatically start tasks based on the movement of data between and among users and organisations. The Notification Engine of WS_FTP Server offers a variety of conditions and notification options via interactive dialogs. All components of WS_FTP Data Management Suite feature security and encryption.

WS_FTP Data Management Suite also supports application developers working in common Windows development languages, such as C++, JavaScript and Visual Basic. Using the Secure SDK, application developers may create secure, data movement aware applications and integrate them into business and workflow processes. You can also develop custom applications that integrate data management into your business processes such as database updates, electronic data interchange with partners and data consolidation applications.

'Small and mid-sized businesses have many data management challenges,' said Ipswitch's vice president of marketing, Alex Neihaus. 'With the availability of WS_FTP Data Management Suite, Ipswitch is delivering sophisticated solutions for these requirements in a way that matches the needs of SMBs. IT managers, application developers, system integrators, and VARs now have a choice that not only represents the best-in-class products, but also is designed not to overburden them with the need for special training or expensive hardware installations.'

Ipswitch's WS_FTP Data Management Suite combines the company's three standalone WS_FTP products into a single package. WS_FTP Data Management Suite includes 10 client licenses of WS_FTP Professional 2006, one WS_FTP Server license and one license of the Secure SDK. A one-year service agreement is included that provides live technical support and all software updates for the entire suite.

Ipswitch WS_FTP Professional 2006 allows for file transfers over FTP, FTPS/SSL, SFTP/SSH, HTTP and HTTPS protocols and its OpenPGP mode and industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption provides high-end security options. Additionally, WS_FTP Professional 2006 offers many advanced features to automate workflow processes with scheduling, scripting, synchronisation, and e-mail notification features. Workspaces allow users to connect to frequently used local and remote connections and compression mode allows automatic file compression before transfer, to save time and bandwidth.

Ipswitch WS_FTP Server is a secure data management server that provides administrators the ability to control access to data and files with granular permissions by folder, user and group. WS_FTP Server offers 128-bit SSL encryption and includes automation features that enable the creation of business rules and notifications to alert users or initiate automated processes and entry-level workflows on data transfer events.

Ipswitch WS_FTP Secure Software Development Kit (SDK) allows developers to create customised data management applications. Users can embed or integrate all the functionality of WS_FTP Professional into core business applications and platforms such as sales, inventory, financial, database or CRM systems.

WS_FTP Secure SDK also enables users to leverage the advanced secure file transfer capabilities of WS_FTP Professional such as FTPS/SSL and SFTP/SSH. It uses industry-standard COM architecture that allows applications to be written in any universal scripting language such as VB, VB.NET, VB Script, C#, C++ and JavaScript.