The FileCatalyst platform offers fast file transfers, enabling files of any size or format to be sent at blazing speeds of up to 10 Gbps across global networks. Being immune to packet loss and latency, FileCatalyst solutions achieve transfer speeds hundreds of times faster than FTP while ensuring the reliable and secure delivery of files with sizes into the terabytes. The FileCatalyst software-only approach to file transfer also simplifies international collaboration, quickly sharing big data between cities, countries, and even continents – learn how here.

FileCatalyst Workflow

FileCatalyst Workflow is web portal for all your file transfer needs. It simplifies file exchange and boosts productivity by streamlining submission, distribution, and file sharing workflows on the web. By integrating directly into your corporate infrastructure, Workflow makes receiving files easy by acting as an online file submission inbox for anyone outside of your network submitting files into your organizational workflows. Workflow also turns file distribution via email into a simple task by enabling users to securely send files to any email address.

FileCatalyst Workflow combines three powerful web-based managed file transfer workflows: submission, distribution, and online folders.

Use Cases

Email Distribution

Used for “distribution”, FileCatalyst Workflow solves the problems of file transfer size and speed by acting as a middle-man for the file transfer process. Files are sent to the FileCatalyst Server with acceleration and management, and then recipients receive an email for downloading the files (also with acceleration and management).

File Submission

Used for “submission”, FileCatalyst Workflow creates a web portal for uploading files and also collects any information (meta-data) needed to process those files (for example, processing instructions or quantity of goods ordered). Files and meta-data combined are called a “job”. Jobs may go through any number of phases while being tracked through the system until finally reaching the completed state.

Online Folders

With FileCatalyst Workflow as the central storage location for one or more “web folders”, users have remote access to shared or personal files from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Both upload and download are supported, and sharing can be at individual account or group levels. Group folders along with read/write permissions can be assigned to any number of users.

Benefits

• Put an End to Lost and Forgotten Files: When files are sent ad-hoc via email, FTP, or physical media they can go missing, with zero tracking or accountability. Adding FileCatalyst Workflow to a website gives you the ability to immediately insert files into your workflow and track the delivery of these files and their progress throughout your organization to ensure no files get left behind.
• Access Files From Anywhere: Access files in FileCatalyst Workflow’s online file areas anywhere through the web interface, with support for every major OS and browser. These file areas can be set up on an individual or group level, for sharing and working on files in a team setting.
• Distribute Files to email: FileCatalyst Workflow allows users to send files of any size securely to any email address.
• Quickly create web portals to receive large files. File submission portals can require a login or just simply be “anonymous” drop boxes.
• No End User Software Installation: End users may exchange files via Workflow without downloading or installing any software on their machines – all that is required is an Internet connection and a web-browser. This also eliminates any network issues which frequently arise when using FTP, such as firewall or proxy servers blocking the data transfers.
• Integrate into your existing IT infrastructure. FileCatalyst Workflow offers flexible deployment on almost any operating system and/or virtual server. Integration With LDAP, Active Directory, SSO, SecureAuth, 3rd party FTP servers, Anti-Virus and many others is available out-of-the-box.
• Fine Tune IT Administration Settings: Manage FileCatalyst with a web-based administration console and varying administrator privilege levels from basic account management to super administrator status. IT administrators can also grant specific privileges to user accounts and groups, automate user management, enable real time tracking and auditing of transfers, set IP-based user permissions, and more.
• Customize to match corporate identity: All user-facing aspects of FileCatalyst Workflow are customizable to match corporate brand guidelines. Customize the web portal and messaging from the administrator interface to match your corporate look and feel.
• Upload files from your smartphone: Quickly submit files via your smartphone, with FileCatalyst apps available on iOS and Android devices.

Deployment Options

FileCatalyst Workflow is software-only, you can download and install it on your own server. Like all FileCatalyst solutions, Workflow integrates seamlessly with all other products in the FileCatalyst suite.

On Premise

FileCatalyst Workflow’s software-only approach allows IT administrators to download and install the application on their own infrastructure. FileCatalyst Workflow is platform-independent and can be deployed on any recent Windows, Linux, Solaris, OSX or virtually any other platform that has an official Sun Java 7 run-time. The use of server virtualization technologies (VMware, Virtual Box etc.) is supported and welcomed. Ability to run a hot stand-by instance in case of a disaster is also possible. Licensing is available as a perpetual one-time fee or as an annual lease.

Server Requirements

• Multi-core CPU with minimum of 2 cores (virtualization is supported)
• 6GB RAM or more
• 80 GB of disk space
• Server Operating system: Windows 2003 or higher, Unix, Linux, Solaris, OSX

For a complete list of requirements click here.

FileCatalyst Direct

FileCatalyst Direct is a suite of client and server applications that enables point to point accelerated file transfers at speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Utilizing the FileCatalyst UDP-based file transfer technology, FileCatalyst Direct is immune to the effects of packet loss and latency on a network. It can quickly deliver files of any size or format between cities, countries, and even continents. FileCatalyst Direct is more than just a tool for fast file transfers over global connections, it also boosts organizational IT efficiency.

Transfer big data at blazing speeds

Transfer big data and send large files at full line speed regardless of file size, to save time, share information, and collaborate faster than ever before.

Secure files during transfer

FileCatalyst employs several security features to ensure your files are safe. Authentication against enterprise directories or database ensure data is as secure as the rest of your enterprise. Data is secured using industry standard AES encryption, while all communications are sent over a secure SSL channel. Access to the server is further secured using a series of IP filters and intrusion detection features.

Guarantee file delivery

FileCatalyst will make sure your files arrive in the fastest possible time, while ensuring 100% integrity of the files. Upon completion of a transfer, each file is verified byte by byte using MD5 to ensure there is no data corruption. If a transfer must be resumed for any reason, such as a network interruption, FileCatalyst will perform MD5 checks on the partial files, and resume the transfer with no loss of data.

Transfer growing files

FileCatalyst has the unique ability to begin transferring a file while it is still growing. Even files that have long pauses in their growth can be accommodated. Whether transferring a video file while it is being encoded or transferring an archive file as it is generated, FileCatalyst will deliver the file without needing to wait for the file to be completed.

Manage file revisions quickly

FileCatalyst can significantly reduce the amount of data needing to be transferred using its unique incremental feature. When a file already exists at the destination, FileCatalyst will detect what portions of a file need to be transferred, and only sends the bytes that have changed. For certain types of transfer, i.e. backups, this can sometimes reduce the data by 90% or more.

Transfer data into cloud storage

Integrated with Leading Cloud Providers The FileCatalyst cloud storage integrations for Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure Blob storage directly leverage the APIs provided by Amazon and Microsoft. Unlike competing solutions, FileCatalyst does not use third party tools or drivers to access the object storage. Learn More

Compression

In addition to providing line speed transfers, FileCatalyst can further reduce transfer time by using various lossless compression techniques. Files may be compressed on-the-fly using GZIP or LZMA algorithms to provide effective transfer rates higher than line speed. It can also combine smaller files into larger compressed archives to reduce the overhead during transit, thus enabling the continuous transfer of large volumes of small files, removing individual file “set-up” and “teardown” time.

FileCatalyst Development

FileCatalyst provides many options for integration into 3rd party applications and workflows. Our SDK boasts a full range of components for a variety of development languages and environments.

Component	Technology	FileCatalyst Product
Client API	Java, C++*, iOS*, Android*, .NET*	Direct, Workflow
Java Applets, JavaScript API	Any recent web browser with the Java Plug-in	Direct
Remote Administration	Java, REST	Direct, Workflow
CLI / Shell Scripting	Command Line*	Direct, Workflow
C++ API / CLI	Non-Java Command Line & API	Direct

*Transfer to and from Workflow and Webmail File Areas only.

The Development Kit is the foundation of our products; if you own any qualifying products, the Development Kit may be licensed as an add-on. For standalone development, the SDK is typically added on to FileCatalyst Direct; however, some components are designed to interact with FileCatalyst Workflow.

 

Client API

Our well-documented API gives access to every method needed to establish a connection to a FileCatalyst Server for accelerated file transfers. With a few short lines of code, you can be underway. Default values are used for most functions, with a full range of method calls allowing you to access advanced features.

The Client API also allows you to programmatically submit jobs and files to FileCatalyst Workflow or Webmail.

Server API

The Server Java and REST APIs expose every method needed to manage users and request session information on the FileCatalyst Server.

Mobile APIs

Easily create fast file transfer apps for Apple iOS and Google Android. FileCatalyst provides a native Objective-C API for iOS and a Java API for Android Dalvik.

Built using the mobile API, the FileCatalyst app is now available for Android and iOS.

 

HotFolder REST API

The HotFolder REST API exposes methods to add new watch folders, add new sites, and create/manipulate/execute tasks.

TransferAgent JavaScript and REST API

The TransferAgent JavaScript and REST APIs allow for tight integration with any web application.  It allows web applications to access/browse the local file systems, add files to a queue, initiate and monitor ongoing file transfers.  All of this can be done though JavaScript, or directly through REST calls.

Central REST API

The FileCatalyst Central API provides access to all reporting data for all connected nodes, and also acts as a reverse HTTP proxy to access the REST APIs of individual connected nodes, like Server, HotFolder and TransferAgent (coming in v3.7).

Workflow REST API

A RESTful API for FileCatalyst Workflow exposes a number of management functions through the web. These include:

• Add/Edit/Delete Users
• Add/Edit/Delete Groups
• Add/Edit/Delete Order forms
• Add/Edit/Delete FTP Sites
• List Job Fields

.NET Wrapper

The .NET wrapper offers transparent and thread-safe access to the FileCatalyst command-line in .NET. One potential application is to use FileCatalyst technology to develop within the Microsoft development framework. The .NET wrapper requires an official Java runtime and FileCatalyst CLI. click to view sample screenshot

Command Line Interface

Using the CLI, access FileCatalyst functionality through virtually any scripting language, or from many other programming languages. Any tool able to output to the command line can be used to trigger FileCatalyst file transfers.

C++ Native Client Library

FileCatalyst products are built using Java as the main programming language. This has always allowed us to keep a centralized code base and be compatible across multiple platforms and browsers (via Java Applet Plugin). 95% of systems (desktop/laptop/servers) found on the market today, including Windows, MacOSX, Linux, Solaris, and AIX, can utilize our existing software.

However, there are certain systems where Java is not available. In many set top boxes and embedded systems (network appliance, gaming consoles), Java is not installed or available. This ecosystem was unable to take advantage of our solutions.

In light of this, we have developed a C++ client solution. Available as both a native C++ API or as a native command-line executable (.exe for Windows, 32 or 64-bit binary for Linux), our C++ client will allow file transfer acceleration on systems that do not have Java installed.

FileCatalyst Central

FileCatalyst Central is a web application used to monitor an organization’s entire FileCatalyst deployment. View ongoing transfers in real time, dig into transaction histories, and manage or monitor alarms. Administrators may also stop and start transfer tasks on any connected FileCatalyst HotFolder. Like all FileCatalyst solutions, Central integrates seamlessly with all products in the FileCatalyst suite.

Receive Real Time Updates

File transfers are monitored in real time on the overview page and in greater detail on a dedicated transfer overview page. Transactional data includes: source and destination node ID, start time and ETA for each file, transfer speed, and progress of individual file transfers.

Stay Notified With Alarms

Set alarms for file transfer events including successful, failed, or canceled transfers. The web interface enables users to configure optional SNMP and email alerts, disable individual alarms, and clear alarms.

View Transfer Activity Summaries

FileCatalyst Central provides compact views with the most important information regarding connected nodes: current transfers, current alarms and notifications, registered nodes and their status, and general file transfer statistics.

Communicate With Your ERP

FileCatalyst Central provides tools and delivery mechanisms for enterprise resource planning including a realtime view of the entire deployment, file transfer statistics and data, and a consistent user interface for monitoring and management. Each node is easily installed and registered to Central without integration by an IT department.