We Need a Napster-like Service for B2B File Transfers

In my last two posts I described how B2B integration infrastructures at major corporations are choking on the increasing number of large files transmitted crossing their firewalls.  Most of the existing approaches to large file transfer are expensive, proprietary and complex.  It is interesting to note that corporations have yet to achieve a simple, open, universal file sharing model comparable to what consumers enjoyed with the original Napster in 1999.  Yet, business users expect to be able to share large files at work the same way they do in their everyday consumer lives.  Recent technology advances compound the problem.  Broadband connectivity has become nearly ubiquitous in most developed countries.  For example, Verizon FiOS offers an Internet package that allows home users to buy Internet connectivity at speeds up to 50Mbps.  Furthermore storage costs continue to decline rapidly.  Grocery stores now sell 16GB USB memory sticks in the check out aisles for $20.  Despite these advances in networking and storage technologies, the corporate world continues to struggling with large file transfer. 

A Napster-like File Transfer Service for Business Users

So how do we solve the large file transfer problem in B2B?  I think we need a Napster-like service, but for business users.  Unfortunately, for many people, the original Napster service reminds them of college students illegally sharing MP3s with one another in an effort to outwit Hollywood’s recording industry.  From my perspective, Napster was the key catalyst for the explosion of digital media content that has revolutionized the home entertainment experience.  I also credit Napster as a key pioneer in the large file transfer segment.  Napster provided end-users with the ability to exchange high volumes of MP3 files across the Internet. 

Napster changed the World

Although each MP3 was only a few megabytes in size, the capability was revolutionary at the time it was introduced.  If only we could create a file transfer service that was as easy-to-use, as widely-deployed and as reasonably priced as Napster, but for corporate use.  Key features would be:

• Ease of use – Users familiar with Internet browsing would be able to upload or download. There would be no need to write file transfer scripts or otherwise engage IT resources.
• No vendor lock-in – No proprietary communications protocols would be used to perform the file transfers.  Open standards would be used.  Furthermore no desktop software clients would be necessary.
• Low cost – The service should be considerably cheaper than the cost of licensing MFT software packages.  Users should have the option of paying per file transmission or subscribe to unlimited usage for a monthly recurring fee.

The introduction of such a commercial service would create a viral effect that promotes widespread adoption quickly throughout the business community.  There are a few legitimate concerns that business users would have with sharing their critical IP and sensitive documents over a Napster-like service.  Therefore, I would propose a few key additional services for business users:

• Store-and-Forward – Files would only be housed on the hosted servers temporarily.  Once the transmission to the receiving entity is completed only metadata such as file size, sender, receiver, date/time would be retained for tracking purposes.
• Data Security – Users could encrypt sensitive file transmissions to protect sensitive corporate IP.  The service should offer higher levels of security such as 128 bit SSL encryption in a premium package.

The good news is that such a B2B file sharing service is not far-fetched.  With the recent explosion in cloud computing numerous highly scalable, secure, reliable file transfer services have been introduced by start-ups.   Hosted file sharing services such as Gigasize, Leapfile, YouSendIt and Rapidshare are available today with relatively large transmission capabilities and very affordable prices.  We have also introduced a first generation file sharing service at GXS.  But, perhaps, most interesting is a cloud-computing file transfer service that I will detail in my next post.