Spendrups Bryggeri AB, founded in 1897, is the largest and most well-known family-owned and independent brewery in Sweden. Four million hectolitres of beverages are produced annually by the company, which employs 1100 people. These beverages are bottled and distributed to Swedish restaurants, the monopoly retail chain Systembolaget, and grocery stores. Looking for software that would enable quick, simple and secure integrations, they are now happy using GoAnywhere for Managed File Transfers (MFT), implemented by BlueFinch.

By Jaimie van de Braak

Getting rid of complex, lengthy integrations

Spendrups already works with several integration solutions, such as BizTalk for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). “However, these are very large and complex systems to use”, says Kjell Bjärud, manager IT Operations at Spendrups. “A complex data exchange flow requires four to six months, due to a shortage of programmers. A real bottleneck for Spendrups’ integrations development. Therefore, we needed an MFT solution that did not heavily rely on developers to create an integration.”

Project kick off and cooperation with BlueFinch

Kjell: “And that is how we got to GoAnywhere, implemented by BlueFinch. A perfect match due to the ease of use, secure workflows, and excellent support provided by BlueFinch. In addition, the solution is incredibly cost effective.”

“We started the project with a training by the experts of BlueFinch”, Kjell continues. “GoAnywhere is a very user-friendly program, so we mastered it quickly. After a Proof of Concept (PoC) we were up and running in just one week with our first dataflows. In the beginning of the project, we had some questions due to our lack of knowledge. Fortunately, the experts of BlueFinch are highly knowledgeable about both Managed File Transfer processes and the specifics of the software. Thus, they did a great job of helping us. Resulting in the implementation of the test and production environments of GoAnywhere without any delay.”

Great testing environment

Spendrups is working with two GoAnywhere environments: one for testing and the other for live production. “This is fantastic, because it allows us to test every flow and parameter before implementing the integrations in a live environment”, Kjell says. “We mix and match the software’s standard components and parameters to create custom integration flows. Before going live, there is no need to revoke code. This is a lot more fail-safe, compared to changing the code first.”

“We do not see any limitations on where to use GoAnywhere”

With the GoAnywhere MFT solution Spendrups has 68 scheduled integrations running and another 100 which are executed manually. Kjell: “The software is simple to use and the integrations do not necessarily require the help of developers. Even I can create an integration as a team lead. With the predefined parameters the deployment process is incredibly quick, which accelerates time to market.”

“The more integrations we build, the more critical the software becomes to the brewery”, Kjell continues. We use GoAnywhere to send labels from our ERP system to the label printers, to transfer images from a photographer to e-commerce in our marketing department, but also in HR and for our car fleet. We do not see any limitations on where GoAnywhere can be used.”

Monitoring possibilities

When using the MFT software of GoAnywhere, it is possible to send out notifications about errors via SMS. Kjell: “We have not yet used this functionality. But we do monitor all the flows by performing checkups. Sometimes the source data is inaccurate, columns are missing, or the target system is unresponsive. This data is then collected in an external folder, making it simple to modify before sending it further.”

Future plans: redundant servers

“Upgrading our server is on the roadmap ahead of us”, Kjell concludes. “On the advice of BlueFinch, we are currently looking into a redundant server in order to maintain multiple data flows simultaneously. This is a virtual server with the ability to scale up capacity when needed. 24/7 and 365 days a year. Similar to how our plants produce our beverages. It is great to have a partner like BlueFinch that goes beyond just a software implementation and actually helps you use the solution to its full potential.”

Use Case #1 – Healthcare sector

This healthcare facility had a dual need for file transfers: to provide security and to manage the growth of file exchanges with other institutions. The company had initially set up an in-house tool that stored files in its dematerialized area. However, IT teams realized the lack of security of this practice, which is why they opted for an MFT solution that would bring their files back to the private network. In a second step, the institution also needed to better reorganize its human resources in order to avoid the use of night staff in its data centre.

How did the solution meet expectations?

To meet the first need, they were offered the Secure Folder module to end users and the functionality of remote MFT agents for server-to-server exchanges. This enables the facility’s teams to communicate simply, securely and effectively with other healthcare facilities and sites that do not have IT staff.

What is the level of satisfaction?

The use of the solution is a relief for IT teams as well as a significant time saving to perform the various operations. GoAnywhere is used “so extensively” that it is difficult to find a niche for system maintenance.

Use case #2 – Media sector

The videos produced by this company are used in various types of media, including movies, music videos, advertisements, and websites. The productions carried out by this company are therefore often heavy resources to be transferred.

The “simple” answer to their needs

After a solution search, GoAnywhere MFT’s “Secure Folder” and “SFTP Server” modules provide an efficient solution for exchanging large files with their customers.

The SFTP server allows them to securely send and retrieve data using the standardized SFTP and SCP protocols. These protocols create an encrypted tunnel, protecting all data, logins, passwords, and commands that pass through. Any information exchanged during a session is recorded in an audit log.

Secure Folder allows access to authorized files and folders via a simple web browser with identifiers (or complex multi-factor identification modes). The company can thus exchange information securely with its customers without the need for installation and while being protected by a secure HTTPS connection.

Use case #3 – Retail sector

This chain of stores needed to optimize and secure the sending of information, including customer details and photos to its customer service team. It was a complaint that was filed against the company that made him aware of the need for security in the transfer of this information. Originally, the company processed information on IBM i (iSeries), but this slowed down file transfers and response time. The company therefore wanted to replace this aging process with a file transfer management (MFT) solution.

How did the solution meet expectations?

The GoAnywhere solution that has been implemented provides new, more efficient features. The company can create ZIP from image files and customer request details and then securely send them to customer service. This has reduced overall file transfer time and accelerated team response time.

In addition, thanks to the Secure Folder module, external partners can connect to the web client and deposit sensitive files in a secure folder. GoAnywhere Gateway, positioned in DMZ, also allowed the shared folder to be kept in the internal network instead of the DMZ.

Use Case #4 – Insurance sector

This investment group wanted to deploy a platform to manage all file exchanges with its partners. After an audit of the existing flows by the dedicated MFT consultants, the choice fell on GoAnywhere MFT. The technical teams then recommended an architecture to deploy on the group’s private cloud.

How does GoAnywhere MFT meet the needs of the group?

All incoming and outgoing flows of the group are, regardless of the protocol required, centralized and monitored by the MFT platform in the cloud.

Partners can drop files or retrieve them in PeSIT or SFTP on a space dedicated to them and according to the rights assigned to them. A web client also allows you to manage file transfers by users.

Denmark has had a legal deposit law in place since 1781, which is used to collect printed cultural heritage. Legal deposit has now been expanded to include digital publications, as well as radio and television content. One of their tasks as Denmark’s national library is to collect, preserve and provide access to cultural heritage in the form of texts, images and audio. Therefore, the Royal Danish Library was looking for a way to simplify and automate the collection of cultural heritage. The library requested BlueFinch’s help and expertise on the GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution through a tender. 

By Jaimie van de Braak

Manually processing digital materials 

For the digital legal deposit of published material, the Royal Danish Library was looking for a solution to be able to offer the deposit of digital materials and their associated metadata in a flexible way. “Providing digital photos or music was done manually”, says Bjarne Anderson, head of the Royal Danish Library’s data department. “There were a variety of ways to deposit, including e-mail and USB, as well as using an FTP server with larger publishers. For every use case we did something new.”   

This created a significant amount of work for the library’s staff, who had to download the files, enter the metadata themselves, and upload the digital content to their database. “Moreover, we did not receive a lot of these materials, because it was a hassle for the publishers as well”, Anderson adds. “To fulfil our task to collect cultural heritage we needed to streamline this process.”  

Selection process via European tender  

The library issued a tender in their search for the best solution. Claus Jensen, who works in IT at the Royal Danish Library and was involved in the MFT project, says: “There were specific requirements. We wanted a secure webform where individual publishers could upload their materials. Furthermore, larger publishers should be able to use an API to upload their bulk of materials. We also had to comply with the ISO 27001 international standard for data security, so the new system had to meet that requirement as well. BlueFinch and the GoAnywhere MFT solution appeared to best meet our requirements based on the tender.” 

BlueFinch is not unfamiliar with helping libraries with secure managed file transfers. The Royal Library of the Netherlands and the French national library also make use of Bluefinch’s expertise. 

GoAnywhere MFT workflows for different use cases 

Together with BlueFinch the Royal Danish Library implemented the GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer system for digital legal deposits. The MFT solution helps them to centralise and secure file transfers, automate manual uploading processes, manage metadata, and meet data security standards.  

Via the website of the library, it is possible for every Danish citizen to log in with NemLog-in. In Denmark, NemLog-in provides access to government self-service solutions. This authentication process is integrated with the MFT solution. Via the secure webform it is possible to upload music, e-books and programmes from local radio stations, including the metadata such as artist and song title. For the larger publishers an automated workflow is used. Providers who regularly deposit large amounts of digital content, such as e-books with complete metadata files, can use this method to deposit their materials.

A secure MFT solution to collect and process digital cultural heritage 

“The great advantage of our new MFT solution is that you can work with it even if you are not a developer”, Anderson says. “With 12 developers in my team we could have built this system ourselves. However, this would mean that a developer should be involved in every minor change or modification. With GoAnywhere we now have a useful toolbox that non-IT people can easily use to set up new workflows. As a result, it is much easier to use not only for our external publishers, but also for our internal colleagues who must work with it.”

The Royal Danish Library now has an MFT solution that is both user-friendly and secure in terms of data and communication. The MFT tool can be used both internally and externally. Publishers receive a summary of their deposits, as well as a receipt for the materials and metadata they have deposited (or failed to deposit). Internally, the library’s employees also receive receipts in connection with the deposits made.

Developing the MFT solution further

The Royal Danish Library is still developing their MFT solution actively. “The standard GoAnywhere system meets our initial requirements, however there are always things we want to improve”, Jensen says. “What is great is that GoAnywhere as a solution provider listens very carefully to us as one of their customers”, Anderson adds. “We can actively contribute to the product roadmap, and some of our requests have been developed and are now part of the standard MFT solution.”  

A pleasant cooperation with BlueFinch

“It was a pleasure working with BlueFinch on this project,” Jensen says. “We have been collaborating for several years now and they are extremely helpful whenever we have a question.” “I was not closely involved when the project started, but I heard nothing but good about working with them from other colleagues in the legal deposit department”, Anderson concludes.

Data plays an increasingly important role in our society. This requires a variety of measures to deal with this, to process and store data, and to protect it. Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a solution for the secure transfer of sensitive and large files, as well as the exchange of incoming and outgoing files. By encrypting, automating and securely sending data with the new MFT solution, the municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch complies with data security laws and regulations, while optimising existing services with the available data. 

By Jaimie van de Braak

Inadequate Managed File Transfer software 

The municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch aims to collect data from various systems and applications, process it, and then make it available to its business intelligence (BI) environment. “We want to ensure that the data in our systems is not only used for our primary processes and applications, but also to work in a data-driven way”, says Paddy Verberne, Change Management Advisor at the municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch. “As a municipality we have an increasing amount of data at our disposal with which we can improve our services. Because that is what it is all about: providing citizens and businesses, our customers, good value for their money.” 

The municipality’s file transfer software was outdated and no longer met the requirements for data exchange. As a consequence, the API environment was used for this purpose, because it provides the link between the systems and the BI solution Cognos Analytics. However, the API environment was overloaded by the exchange of large data files. “Our API environment is not designed for file transfers”, Verberne explains. “The data exchange then takes far too long and we apply different security standards. Furthermore, we eventually want to get rid of point-in-time data, because that means looking back. We were experiencing serious issues: projects were failing because we needed data that we could not access in any reasonable way. So, we had to look for new file transfer software that would relieve the existing systems.” 

Solution: GoAnywhere MFT via BlueFinch 

Verberne: “Ultimately we want to move towards an environment where we can offer data using smart techniques and algorithms. But we wanted to move forward already. The integration layer enables us to exchange data synchronously and asynchronously, for example with other municipalities. We were only missing a good solution to bring in all the data.” 

“We drew up a shortlist of three MFT solutions that best matched the systems and applications we already had, both functionally and technically”, Verberne continues. “And, of course, fit in with our security policy. One of those three solutions was GoAnywhere MFT and that is how we ended up at BlueFinch, the Dutch partner of GoAnywhere. We then started a Proof of Concept (PoC) with them, and it quickly became clear that the software met all of our wishes and requirements. It is a mature product with a gateway component for a secure connection to any platform and the possibility for file transfers according to the Zero Trust principle. Furthermore, the first contacts with BlueFinch were very pleasant. In the end, we decided to stick with GoAnywhere MFT.” 

Up and running in no time with new MFT solution 

One of the major advantages of GoAnywhere MFT is the ease of implementation. “Actually, it was almost boring”, Verberne laughs. “We had already sorted out all functional and technical wishes and requirements, and then we looked at the set-up of GoAnywhere MFT with the help of BlueFinch specialists. After the PoC we set up the acceptance and production environments together with two engineers from BlueFinch within a day. The result: a pragmatic solution to access data, that met our requirements for manageability, continuity, and safety. After going live, we immediately started to use the MFT solution to support our projects.” 

What results have been achieved?

Verberne: “For us, GoAnywhere MFT is a tool in our arsenal for handling all data requests within the organisation. We are now able to access and share data in a uniform way, according to our policy. Our people involved in business intelligence can once again make good use of all available data, thereby improving the processes and products we have. Because ultimately, everything we do as a municipality is for our customers: the citizens and businesses of ’s-Hertogenbosch. They have no choice but to purchase certain products and services from us. They are entitled to the best service possible and our new MFT solution helps us to do so.” 

The value of an MFT solution in Common Ground 

Municipalities are working together on a modern way of exchanging data, including technology: Common Ground. A good MFT solution can undoubtedly support this. “A lot of data is still siloed and belongs to specific processes”, Verberne explains. “But you want to make the link between data, processes and applications much looser than is currently the case, so that data can be shared more easily. This will always necessitate the use of a facility such as MFT. In order to handle our data in a different, more flexible manner, we are moving towards open standards, good data security, authentication, and authorisation. However, as municipalities and suppliers, we still have some work to do in this area.” 

BlueFinch as a competent ICT partner 

“We live in a world where business is becoming increasingly transactional”, says Verberne. “But with the purchase of a software solution, which is often a complex process, I still prefer a long-term relationship with the supplier. And we experience that feeling in our collaboration with BlueFinch. Is there a problem? Then we have a problem together. BlueFinch is a capable ICT partner in this regard. The lines are short and the specialists collaborate with us not only technically, but also organizationally. As a result, we were able to achieve our goal in no time: a modern solution for Managed File Transfer that allows us to access data safely.” 

If you would like to learn more about how BlueFinch can help your organisation protect its sensitive data and about our Data Security Suite? Please contact sales@bluefinch.com and take a look at our solutions.