Sterling Commerce Connect:Direct Reviews

The primary use case for Connect Direct is for transferring data from Linux or Unix systems to mainframe systems. I am the mainframe support person responsible for Connect Direct, Xcom, and other products. 

My task is to compare this product with Connect Direct and Xcom. This task involves evaluating which is the best product to maintain the integrity of critical data files for a bank's special data transfer needs.

One valuable feature of Connect Direct is its capability to recover from any communication issues through its dedicated transfer processes. This differentiates it from FTP Common. 

Furthermore, Connect Direct offers Check Point functionality to ensure data integrity during transfers. The data is transferred reliably from Linux or Unix systems to the mainframe. 

Additionally, Connect Direct and Xcom are used within the banks to maintain data transfer integrity. 

Moreover, all banks use Connect Direct and TecCom, which shows the product's acceptance and reliability.

The solution is a proprietary tool built by Sterling, which was acquired by IBM. It is a peer-to-peer file transfer protocol. If I want to send data from one location to another, the solution should first be installed in both locations. Only then can we transfer the data.

The solution's good point is that it has never been breached compared to other tools. The solution's file transfer speed is quite high. You can send GBs of data within a couple of minutes.

Its primary use case is secure file transmission. We are currently providing support for it to a client. They are using ConnectDirect in their environment, and it is a vast implementation of ConnectDirect. 

The most valuable feature is that it provides 100% reliability for file transmission. It ensures that files get delivered in a secure manner. When you use Connect:Direct, your file 100% gets delivered to the next delivery location. If the log shows that a file got delivered, it will have all the transmitted data without truncation or other data issues.

We use Sterling Commerce Connect:Direct primarily for transferring files using different protocols like SFPP and FTPS. We also use the mailbox platform and certified gateway connectors.

It has helped our organization by providing flexibility in handling different types of encrypted files. We can receive an encrypted file, decrypt it, change its name or file extension, and route it to anyone inside or outside the company. This capability to transform files is very beneficial for us.

We use Sterling Commerce ConnectDirect for limited transfers where the third party only wants to use this protocol. 

Currently we have five administrators that manage, maintain and set-up the exchanges with other partners.

We are actually looking to decommission this product to migrate to IBM's Sterling B2B Integrator because it is has a built-in Connect Direct and is easier to manage.

We primarily use the solution for file transfers.

The solution effectively reduced large transfer file transit time across global regions by over 50%.

We are using Connect:Direct to move some application files from point to point, from one application to another application, which might be used by another application and which should maybe use the tool process and make selections on these files. So, simply, we are using Connect:Direct to move one application to another application.

For me, automation is the most valuable feature.

We mainly use this solution for node-to-node file transmissions.

The Security Plus feature of this solution is excellent, and allows you to send encrypted files very securely to remote destinations.