FTP Fear

[ajr]

Why do some customers have problems downloading from an FTP site where others love it and use it all the time. Is it because some people dont know what they are doing and wont ask for fear it will make the m look stupid!....

I'm sure all my customers know what they are doing.???

A

[david]

Many clients are not able to use FTP as their corp network will have port 21 closed. This is why most file transfer options used in web solutions stick with port 80. Also many corps don't allow users to install applications - such as FTP client apps.

FTP was not really designed for use in the way most printers try to use it. it is fine when you have a limited number of users and don't need to closely control access rights for large numbers of individual users.

For most printers that have many users and users that come and go, better solutions can be found with web based file transfer systems. The web interface is easier to control user account info, security is higher, the interface is easier for clients to use, and no port problems.

In our OnTimeProof we have implemented a Java upload tool where users can select single or multiple files and upload them to their private account - with a job ticket to get the info you need for production. It then notifies you about the upload ( and has automated production and proofing as well).

David Lewis

[ajr]

We use Rumpus which has a web interface, people seem to have a problem entering a user name and password.

A

[Hopkins Printing]

Hi ajr,

We use Rumpus as well (love it!). Do you have your customers use the web interface? If so, you can have the URL include the user name and password so they don't have to enter it.

I'm not sure if this useful or not but I thought it worth mentioning :-)

Cheers,
Jon Morgan
Hopkins Printing

[Kristian]

Another user of Rumpus here! We needed a web interface as expecting our customers to use a true ftp client was causing multiple problems.

Since moving to Rumpus we've had no issues. Had no negative feedback from customers or any login issues so all is good.

[ajr]

Most customers don't have a problem, but you can see on the log files their repeated attempts at entering the correct user name and password. We do have alink on our emails and our website so they can upload files only, they also have to fill out a form with all their info before it lets them upload. I then get an email with all the job and client info sent to me. Works well for most customers(not stupid ones).

A

[prepressguru]

We use rumpus as well. Works great. I think you will have to trust your customers some more and not worry about it. You don't know what is happening at their end. Could be a junior who is fumbling the info.

Good luck

[mattbeals]

Rumpus is the best FTP server I have used.

[PrePress Guru]

Rumpus is fantastic. We only use the web interface and have never had any serious issues.
Some versions of IE dont work well with it but other then that its the best thing we have ever used.

One thing about FTP, in most transfer apps you have a check box for passive communication.
Some servers require it checked other not. I cant remember if passive comm is also an isp thing.
We use Transmit for ftp transfers. Its one of the best ones for the mac i have used.