FTP Software

[Shadeslayers09]

So the company that i work for is looking at ditching Box/Sharefile/Dropbox and utilizing our server in the office as a means to share files with subcontractors. What FTP programs are out there that would allow us to send links to certain folders and/or individual files, mandate that the recipient who gets the link to enter his name, email, and company name first before he can view/download the files. Then the system sends us an email letting us know who accessed the files, what files he viewed/download, and what time. That way we can keep track of who has the files (need this so that if there is ever a conflict between the subcontractor and us about the subcontractor not receiving the files, we can go back to this log and prove he did receive it. This is an extremely useful tool that Sharefile has and why we used that program). we would also like to have it so that the FTP program has a "Drive" so that it is extremely easy/convenient to access the FTP through the File Explorer when we are away from the office.

 

I did do some research and stumbled upon crushftp which appears will do everything we want, but want to make sure that we look at all the available options instead of just one. If you have any recommendations, that would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[Dujith]

FTP is very outdated and insecure (both FTP and SFTP) and you should not use that anymore.

If you want to manage your own server and allow access depended on rules then you should look at Owncloud or Nextcloud. (the latter being a fork)

 

We used that for exactly this reason (sub contractors, clients ect) and its relatively easy to setup.

Having said that we now run Onedrive with the same kind of rules and that works for us. (Sharepoint)

[Windows7ge]

I disagree with Dujith statement that SFTP is outdated and insecure as there's great ways to lock SSH/SFTP down to stop unauthorized access. FTP on the other hand yes. Very old. Outdated. Insecure. Don't use it.

 

For a business though typically services like OneDrive or Google Drive are preferred.

[Shadeslayers09]

sorry for the misunderstanding, we would be using SFTP/SSH and not FTP.  

[Shadeslayers09]

The reason why we are looking at programs like crushftp, is that it is a one time cost of $2500, but then $500/year for maintenance and support. I did just look into the Owncloud and Nextcloud, but those are really expensive at several thousand per year. all we are looking for is to send files to subcontractors while being able to track what files they download.

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 hour ago, Shadeslayers09 said:

but those are really expensive at several thousand per year.

huh? there both free nd open source. You cn run on your own hrdwre for free.

[Shadeslayers09]

11 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

huh? there both free nd open source. You cn run on your own hrdwre for free.

sorry, did not see on the website the free version originally. I see it now. Will Owncloud interfere with our current Windows Server? i believe it is Windows Server 2012

[Electronics Wizardy]

4 minutes ago, Shadeslayers09 said:

sorry, did not see on the website the free version originally. I see it now. Will Owncloud interfere with our current Windows Server? i believe it is Windows Server 2012

nextcloud and own cloud need to run linx, so setup a hyper-v vm or simmilar and run it in there.