Having recently spoken to a number of existing customers about recent functionality added to StingRay it appears that many are unaware of the ability to configure StingRay to allow for secure file transfer using the HTTPS protocol.
HTTPS has been an option in StingRay since April 2010 but with the increased awareness around data security we’re finding more StingRay users want to ensure that they are able to comply with, for example, the Data Protection Act and also PCI DSS.
HTTPS provides for a secure encrypted tunnel for the transfer of data ensuring that sensitive data can be transferred over the Internet without the risk of being intercepted which isn’t the case when using standard unsecured protocols such as FTP or HTTP.
HTTPS file transfer using Hermstedt StingRay
If you would like to set up HTTPS on your StingRay our support department will be willing to assist. Please click here to find out the process in our FAQ and then contact Support using the normal contact details.
StingRay regularly competes for the title of ‘pre-media file transfer solution of choice’ but has in recent times added functionality which has allowed it to pull away from standard FTP servers and provide significant integration capabilities.
Everyone knows that automation is the name of the game when it comes to driving down costs and this can be achieved in a pre-media environment by not just getting the files where they need to be, but also knowing a little more about the files too.
StingRay has in recent times added this capability with information able to be captured at the time of files being uploaded to it, in the shape of a web form (see below). These web forms are completely customisable and allows for meta data to then be associated with the files uploaded as a separate XML Job Ticket (see below).
Web form data converted by StingRay into an XML Job Ticket
This functionality allow StingRay to be an important component in any pre-media workflow, helping to be able to provide information to the workflow or MIS system to be able to know what to do with the files received.
In recent times we’ve been working with a number vendors in both the workflow and MIS marketplace to ensure their compatibility and so far we are happy to confirm that StingRay can integrate with Enfocus Switch, Esko Odystar, Dalim Twist, DFlux and we’re testing more.
If you’d like to know more about how StingRay can provide you with the capability to integrate file transfer with your production workflow contact Adaptive on +44 (0) 333 123 1240 or to learn more take a look at our FAQ’s below:
Helping your customers to get files to you in the most simple manner is paramount, as many may struggle with standard FTP clients and email servers tend to block large attachments.
Hermstedt StingRay, the pre-media file transfer solution, provides you with a desktop utility to simplify the process of getting files in. You’re able to create branded Mac and PC desktop droplets which provide for metadata capture, automatic compression, package renaming and a progress bar.
Take a look at the short video below to see how the desktop utility could help you to receive files into your agency, print or publishing workflow.
Although a minor update, please note 2.5.2-2 is now available for all StingRay 2.5 users to download here. So if only a minor release, why should I bother updating I hear you say?! Well, this release addresses a few small bugs inherent in 2.5, therefore if you have been experiencing any of the issues outlined in StingRay’s ChangeLog this update will address them.
We couldn’t just leave it at that though, that would be dull! Instead, we have decided to include a little gem for all of our 2.5 users. Take a look at these…
2.5.2-2 now enables all StingRay users to upload their company logo to StingRay’s external interface for all customer’s to see. Adding that personal touch to your customer facing file transfer interface helps promote your brand and instill confidence in your users.
So if you are currently running StingRay 2.5 you haven’t yet taken advantage of what 2.5.2-2 has to offer, go to the Updates section on the Hermstedt StingRay website and download it now, free of charge. If you experience any problems when running the update you can either download our guide to ‘Branding your StingRay’s external web interface’ or call the Pro2col support department on 0333 123 1260.
Its been a little while since our last post which is rubbish as I’d set ourselves the target of making sure that we stay on top of keeping in contact with our customers. It has however been a very busy last couple of months for us here and we’ve now added a Twitter account for all those StingRay file transfer servers who want to keep up to date with news, views and release details.
Follow us on twitter
If you use Twitter add us and we’ll Tweet you all the latest updates. You can find us at - http://twitter.com/filetransfer
