How to Automate FTP Transfers

Most businesses tend to use a traditional FTP client to work with the data on an FTP server. The FTP client is used for moving, synchronizing and working with your files over such a connection, and in many cases it may seem a satisfactory solution. However, finding a way to automate FTP transfers can greatly speed up the process, especially if you deal with large numbers of files over an FTP server.

If you are the one responsible for keeping track of files on an FTP server and you need to recognize when your files have been added or other files have been updated, then finding way to automate the process will not only make your job a lot easier, but it will also save a lot of time. Using a traditional FTP client, the only way to do this job is by going through each folder manually, one at a time. This might not seem like a big deal if you only do it occasionally, but once you have to manually search for a huge numbers of folders to see which files have been added or updated, it becomes extremely time consuming.

As in any business, time is money, so you need to consider how much time you or your employee spends going through these FTP servers manually to work with the files. Chances are, that there is no time to waste on such activities, and you could be using this time for more valuable areas of your business.

Consider for a moment the entire process that you need to go through just to add, synchronize or update a file on an FTP server. Doing it the traditional way requires you to log into your FTP client, and then you have to search through all the available folders to manually find the file that you need. While you are doing this, you can wait for files to upload or download as required. Doing this for a single file every now and again is not really a big deal, but when you need to work with multiple files throughout the day, it can become a major chore.

People don't tend to realize that there is actually a reliable alternative which allows you to automate FTP transfers. Automating the process greatly reduces the amount of time that you need to work with the files over your server, and it also helps to eliminate the risk of human error.

One program that lets you automate the process is called FTPGetter 3 Professional ( http://www.ftpgetter.com ), a program which includes an advance scheduling feature which you can use to set up specific times when you want tasks to be carried out. You can configure the software to check for various file changes or additions throughout the day. You can also have the scheduler focus only on specific folders on your FTP server. All you need to do is set up the scheduler and the software will do the work for you.

File masks are also supported for uploading and downloading files and you can synchronize directories between a remote server and your PC. This ensures both files are kept up to date at all times.

This solution is also easy to use, not requiring any extra special knowledge. Start saving time today, and automate FTP transfers.
Article Source: Articles For Knowledge Sharing

About the Author

FTPGetter 3 Professional helps manage data transfer workflow and automate FTP and SFTP transfer tasks by taking control of uploading and downloading files and folders.