Wow. It’s only been half a year since we introduced our Managed File Transfer solution (SEE MFT) and it’s already won another award. Info Security Products Guide just awarded it the 2012 Global Excellence Award in the Database Security, Data Leakage-Protection/Extrusion Prevention category.

Judges were impressed by SEE MFT’s comprehensive security framework and its ability to keep sensitive files safe and sound. SEE MFT prevents data loss, regulatory and compliance violations, and many of the other risks associated with sharing files inside and outside your business. With guaranteed file delivery and a lot more, you can probably guess why the awards keep coming in.

Part of our Business Integration Suite, SEE MFT has continued to make waves (the good kind of course) ever since entering the market. Having already earned a Global Business Excellence Award and Golden Bridge Award, I’d say SEE MFT has led a pretty charmed life thus far — a well-earned one.

Want to know more? Check out the recent press release announcing the award or visit the SEE MFT section of our website for videos, white papers, case studies and more.

Did you know that FTP is 40-year-old technology? Forty may be the new 30 in human years, but in the world of technology — 40 is ancient history. Today’s plethora of FTP solutions lacks even the most basic controls that are necessary to protect the integrity and security of your data.

Now that new business requirements and FTP protocol just don’t meet in the middle anymore, what do you do? Turn to Managed File Transfer (MFT), the next-generation file transfer solution. It interfaces with SAP solutions seamlessly — as well as other email and document management systems. At SEEBURGER, our MFT solution:

• Provides automated content filtering
• Ensures delivery over erratic connections
• Automates partner provisioning and management
• Provides a built-in end point translation engine

MFT eliminates the upfront cost of multiple FTP solutions, hidden resources and time costs, as well as the potential cost of lost data and security breaches. And with SEE MFT, you’ll have the only solution that provides a single view of all file transfer activity — saving time and money while supporting your compliance efforts more than ever before.

Read the SAPInsider article today to learn more.

While originally implemented to solve problems and save money – outdated legacy B2B integration systems now create problems and waste money.

When integration systems first came out ─ they were a major hit. They made it possible for companies to connect with customers, vendors, financial institutions and other business partners efficiently.

Unfortunately, the increasing number of expansions, mergers and acquisitions in today’s global corporate world is rapidly causing those standalone, site-specific B2B integration systems to become obsolete. What once was revolutionary is now holding many companies back.

Outdated B2B architecture is no longer competitive

Companies with many standalone solutions are quickly losing ground in today’s dynamic and competitive environment. Organizations worldwide are coming to the conclusion that old, complex B2B platforms are reducing their ability to remain competitive. These legacy systems:

• Require manual intervention
• Need constant monitoring and maintenance
• Hinder the efficient flow of data
• Are expensive and prone to errors

A Forrester study of EDI and B2B applications found that 80 percent of IT managers planned to consolidate their B2B systems over the coming year. The researchers also concluded that B2B integration is a vital component of customer service. Automated supplier communication is essential if orders are to be processed quickly ─ and clearly ─ companies with flexible, innovative systems have the advantage.

Need for B2B consolidation reaches urgent levels

While most companies are aware of the problems caused by disparate B2B technologies, many are simply biding their time when it comes to consolidation. What they often don’t realize is a “wait it out” mentality is costing them dearly. They’re losing money and the ability to remain competitive.

An AMR Research International study of ERP and B2B integration found that 47 percent of companies increased their B2B capacity as a result of projects like introducing SAP ERP or migrating data from a legacy SAP system. But many of these companies are failing to adequately prepare for the changes.

They tend to underestimate the time, resources and other requirements involved in B2B consolidation, and fail to carry out adequate testing before introducing ERP. Poor B2B connectivity can have serious consequences like the loss of production.

Advantages of progressive B2B solutions

Let’s break it down. The biggest costs of outdated B2B systems to your business are:

• Software
• Maintenance
• Server operations
• Human resources

That’s where consolidation comes in. Consolidating existing EDI and B2B solutions onto a single platform is the ideal way to save money by eliminating the need for human intervention and maintenance, and minimizing software and power supply costs. A progressive B2B solution will not only save you money, but will support your needs as your business grows and evolves.

It will also allow you to integrate easily with applications like CRM and partner ERP systems, as well as advance to the highest level of secure enterprise file transfer ─ Managed File Transfer (MFT) ─ which provides comprehensive control of the file transfer process.

Taking the risk out of system modernization

Companies must consider a number of factors to prevent problems when they’re ready to take the next step and consolidate and modernize their B2B landscape. That’s why it’s critical to ensure that the chosen solution provider offers not only the best integration technology ─ but also in-depth knowledge of commercial and logistical processes. SEEBURGER has a seven-point plan to ensure successful migration to a modern B2B platform.

B2B integration solutions differ widely in the number of formats they can handle. The more trusted and stable the offering, the greater the depth of process integration and the greater the breadth of communication media. The chosen solution should also follow a holistic B2B strategy.

Leading B2B suppliers also offer reliable analysis tools in order to prevent problems before they happen. When the right supplier is selected, companies can rest assured that data will be transferred safely and cost effectively. Then consolidation and modernization can begin taking their business to the next level.

For more information, visit www.seeburger.com

Watch this short video to learn more about how managed file transfer and data loss protection solutions work together and about the new partnership announcement.

ATLANTA, GA – SEEBURGER today announced the integration of its SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite (BIS), including the multiple-award-winning SEEBURGER Managed File Transfer (SEE MFT) platform for protecting shared files, with Code Green Networks’ TrueDLP solution for content-aware data loss prevention (DLP). The integration allows SEEBURGER MFT customers to apply content-aware data loss prevention policies to block transmission of any file containing data that violates corporate security or regulatory compliance. The combined SEEBURGER/Code Green Networks offering is available immediately from either SEEBURGER or Code Green Networks sales representatives…. Read the Full Press Release

Guest blogger, Michelle Jones.  Vice President Global Channels & Alliances

My last post addressed the need for software vendors and channel partners to adapt to changing market conditions, industry regulations, technology landscapes and ever-shifting customer requirements. My take of “adapt or be left behind” has proven true.  In the few short months since that post we’ve seen significant acquisition activity among vendors (and between partners of vendors), endless debate/discussion regarding the risks and opportunities of social business, growth on all fronts “cloud” and  massive attention to the resulting privacy implications.

So what does this mean?  It means that focus is more important today than ever before.  Before hopping on the latest buzzword bandwagon, companies should look at their core competencies- be it technology, consulting, services- and determine how to leverage the new forces at play to make them the best they can be.  Most importantly, keep your compass pointed to customer value.  In my opinion, all roads must lead there.

I am in no way suggesting businesses do not innovate-  innovation is key to the success of any company working with technology.  It does, however, mean do not get distracted by the next shiny thing that emerges for it may prove to be fad vs. future.

Do your homework and remember, your customers and partners chose to do business with you for a reason.  Validate their choice of you as their trusted partner with constant innovation, investment, improvement and modernization of what you do best.  Then exploit new technologies and methods of deployment, strengthen relationships via all channels possible and never forget the end game- customer value. (more…)

If you missed our recent webinar with Forrester and SAP Insider titled “Closing the Compliance Gap in File Exchange”, here is a transcript of the portion presented by Forrester’s Ken Vollmer, a principal analyst in the analyst firm’s application development and delivery research group.

Ken Vollmer:  “It’s my pleasure to be with you today to discuss the increasing importance of managed file transfer.  I’ve been covering integration strategies and technology for the past several years and I’ve been particularly interested in what we’ve been seeing in the MFT space most recently.

Basically, we’re seeing a tremendous increase in MFT.  The interest is skyrocketing.  The number of client inquiries I have personally taken on MFT has soared since 2009.  We did a calculation last week and it was over 300% increase from 2009 to 2011 so something is obviously going on.  Typical questions we’re getting from customers about MFT is, “Who are the leading providers and what features should we be looking for in an MFT solution?”  The key question I want to delve into today is, “What’s driving this increase level of interest?”

There’s a couple of things that are driving the increased focus on MFT.  The first one I believe is the number of increasing compliance regulations.  You have things in the United States, for example, like HIPAA which is very strict privacy concerns over patient data, you have Sarbanes-Oxley which is in the financial area and very strict controls over financial reporting.  And then the European side you’ve got things such as Basel II which are specific rules for covering managed file transfers among other things, and then the European Union Data Protection Directive which deals with the protection of personal information.  There are many other instances as well and I believe Rohit is going to provide a little bit more information on this in his part of the remarks.

And the second key driver I believe is the high visibility security failures that we’ve all heard about in the past couple of years.  We’ve heard about frequent reports of compromised customer account information, compromised employee private information related to social security and other sensitive data.  And we’ve also all heard, even most recently as today, about the increasing repercussions related to the Wiki Leaks exposure of sensitive government information.  All of these things have come together, all of these lapse that have significantly increased the awareness of related risk on the part of CEOs and just as importantly on the part of auditors, both internal and external.  This is driving increased focus and increased visibility of the file transfer area and we believe that the risks related to file transfers will continue to rise and continue to increase.  This will result in more demand for better controls over file transfers and that is one of the key capabilities of MFT solutions so there does seem to be a good solution here”……

Read the full transcript and learn:

1. Findings from a recent survey of 300 senior IT Manager and what’s driving their need for MFT
2. What to look for in an MFT solution
3. Future of the MFT market

When it comes to making IT changes, there are bound to be plenty of questions. So I’ve compiled a list of the questions we hear most often when it comes to making the switch to Managed File Transfer (MFT).

Q. What is MFT and why would I want it?

A. MFT is a way of securely transferring data or large files across an internal or external network. It’s a business process that uses software and secure communications protocols that to ensure secure, policy-based file transfers, and provide end-to-end monitoring, logging, auditing and tracking.

Q. Why should I get it when I already have a way to send files?

A. Traditional methods such as email, flash drives and CD/DVDs are unreliable, costly and outside corporate governance. It doesn’t take much to deliver a DVD to the wrong suite number, and sending 20 GB files via email will take you foreeevvvveer. With MFT, you know your files are secure and compliant with business policies.

Q. My staff has limited IT skills. How hard is it to learn to use MFT?

A. It’s easy to get started with MFT. Everyday business users can send files automatically from Outlook or another email client, or from a user-friendly secure Web portal. As MFT will free your IT staff from time-consuming FTP tasks, they’ll have more time to support anyone who needs basic training.

Q. What are my options for getting your MFT solution?

A. If you currently use SEEBURGER Business Integration Server, you’ll simply need to purchase a license key. If you’re not a SEE BIS user, you can still get it anyway you want — as on-premise software, a public or private cloud solution, a managed service or via remote management.

I encourage you to contact us to get answers to your own unique set of questions. Then take a look at our white paper, Streamline, Speed and Secure the Supply Chain with Managed File Transfer, to learn more.

Today’s CIO knows that the key to efficient IT is modernization, innovation and risk reduction. With such an overwhelming array of MFT, B2B and EAI environment products and solutions available on the market today, the answer is consolidation. For more than 25 years, SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite (SEE BIS) been trusted by more than 8,500 customers across the globe to help them achieve that goal.

• Leading Technology Company: This global computer manufacturer was able to replace multiple products with the end-to-end platform of SEE BIS — something none of our competitors were able to do. The replaced products cost $510 thousand annually before administrative expenses.
• Automotive Supplier: As one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, Magna wanted to consolidate its global information network. SEE BIS allowed Magna to cut costs by supporting consolidation of all formats and business processes with complete integration in six months.
• Retailer: One of Switzerland’s largest retailers, Coop was able to meet the demand set by a rapid doubling of EDI partners and processes with SEE BIS. The solution met Coop’s OS requirements and enabled direct integration with sister companies through various BIS integration points.

With just a single platform, SEE BIS provides 100 percent integration. Learn more today by reading our complimentary white paper, Modernization and Consolidation of Existing B2B Landscapes.

Today’s CIOs share similar challenges, regardless of vertical industry, geographic location or company size:

1. Cost Reduction
2. Drive Core Revenue – making IT a revenue center rather than cost center
3. Reducing Risk

These problems can be addressed with the following solutions:

1. Consolidation to reduce costs
2. Modernization to drive revenue
3. Data security to reduce risk

Today, I want to share with you some information about the cost reduction that can be achieved with the right Consolidation and Modernization strategy.

We interviewed a global sampling of our customers to learn how they stay competitive in today’s economy.  The findings show that by consolidating and modernizing their EDI/B2B along with file transfer technologies on a single unified platform like the SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite (BIS), they were able to cut application and project costs by up to 80% while maintaining high levels of satisfaction of internal and external partners*.

These well run companies also achieved the following savings by modernizing their EDI/B2B and large file transfer environments:

• Operating and maintenance staff costs                             50%
• Creating new B2B/EDI interfaces                                      65%
• Software maintenance costs                                              60%
• Search costs (status, errors, document tracking)              96%
• Transfer costs                                                                     30%

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing practical tips for how you can achieve similar savings for your organization, grow your business and reduce risks.  In the meantime, for more information, pls visit us at www.seeburger.com/modernization-consolidation

* (Survey done with International automobile suppliers, ODETTE conference, 2011).

Many of us today are managing a wide selection of business integration, file transfer and process management software and applications. Like a poker hand with a bunch of ill-matched cards, a wide range of IT solutions from different companies just won’t get you where you need to be. Instead, a grab bag of solutions tends to leave you inflexible. It’s costly to maintain and manage, and not likely to integrate well with SAP.

SEEBURGER Business Integration Suite (SEE BIS) is a centralized integration platform that lowers operating costs, improves customer satisfaction and alleviates risks. Along with a precision-engineered platform and complete set of integration tools, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing SEEUBURGER is a long-time strategic SAP partner. SEE BIS provides:

• Pre-defined, standardized SAP solutions and content on a single platform
• Real-time, relevant information from a central location in SAP
• Industry-specific content and components that support SAP best practices

Visit our solution page to learn more about risk-free modernization and consolidation. Discover what SEE BIS can do to meet your SAP integration needs — and more.