Sterling Commerce, an AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) company, today announced Sterling File Accelerator (SFA).  SFA combines the power of the company’s Connect:Direct® point-to-point file transfer software ─ optimised for high-volume, secure, assured delivery of files ─ with a new UDP Data Transfer-based file transport (UDT) ─ an application-level data transport protocol that overcomes the latency issues associated with transmission control protocol (TCP)-based transmissions. 

“File transfer protocol (FTP) alone is not a viable option to provide the insight, security, performance and, ultimately, the risk mitigation necessary to responsibly and strategically conduct business,” said L. Frank Kenney, analyst for Gartner.  “Fortunately, there is a set of vendors that offer the technologies, services and disciplines to help manage all aspects of the transfer of information ─ including alternate solutions for across-the-globe, large file transfers.”

“Trends such as globalisation and outsourcing have increased file sizes and the distances they have to travel,” said Geoff Baird, vice president, Global Product Line, Managed File Transfer, Sterling Commerce. “As these demands continue to grow, Sterling Commerce is in a unique position to add the speed of the UDT protocol to our category-leading managed file transfer (MFT) offerings to deliver a solution designed to more effectively use today’s high-speed connections.”

Most file transfers use TCP, which has been used for decades to transport small files short distances.  But larger files, such as those with digitalised content, are experiencing significant delays when traveling long distances. Sterling File Accelerator regulates network traffic more efficiently by using flow-control algorithms, enabling users to speed up file-based business processes and meet tighter processing windows as needed.  

The Sterling Commerce MFT suite assures the delivery of mission-critical data payloads between enterprises in diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, retail, manufacturing and distribution. The company’s MFT suite provides increased performance and aims to remove the risk associated with FTP-based solutions by increasing management visibility and security compliance and reducing management cost. The solutions also provide a scalable environment that supports the growth of partner communities, increases customer retention and decreases liability.

Earlier this year, leading analyst firm Gartner positioned Sterling Commerce as a “Leader” in the Magic Quadrant for Managed File Transfer (1)

More information about Sterling File Accelerator can be found online at http://sterlingcommerce.qa.local/Products/MFT/SterlingFileAccelerator/.