NetSuite sFTP Transfers Made Easy

This article is relevant if you need to transfer files to and from NetSuite using sFTP technologies.

Background

A few years back, NetSuite developed a new sFTP SuiteScript library (N/sftp) that can be used to help transfer files back and forth between remote sFTP servers and NetSuite. In NetSuite’s early release of the scripting library, it was difficult to use because you had to know the exact name of the file that you wanted to retrieve — its utility was limited only to use cases where you knew the files to retrieve ahead of time.

More recently, NetSuite enhanced the library to help with remote file specifications which made it easier to discover the distant files and thus name them to pull them into NetSuite.  As such, the library is now ready for more serious work.

Clarification: sFTP is not FTP

It is important to distinguish sFTP and FTP.  sFTP is basically a secure file transfer protocol that leverages the SSH transport layer. SSH uses private key infrastructure and is recognized as industrial strength.  However, the older and less secure FTP protocol is a completely different technology that allows for the transfer of files between remote systems. NetSuite does not natively support the FTP protocol.

Nonetheless, I have written about an enterprise mechanism my team created in 2015 and used by many of our clients to transfer files between NetSuite and remote systems that require sFTP, FTP, HTTPS or any remote connection that is supported by the Apache Camel framework. See my article, Link NetSuite to FTP via Open Source Middleware.

Introducing a NetSuite sFTP Connector Accelerator Tool

In a recent implementation for a client of NetSuite’s Electronic Bank Payments, our client wanted to send ACH requests to collect monies as well as send bank wires and ACH instructions to pay vendors. NetSuite does not offer any connectivity options with their bundle. The client’s bank system worked with sFTP. While we had an Enterprise sFTP offering to give to our client free of charge, it required that we set up an intermediate server to act as an agent to transfer files between the bank and NetSuite.

Instead, the client liked the idea of having all the infrastructure hosted by NetSuite. Since we had a number of different files that needed to be transferred back and forth, and we planned for a multi-phase implementation, it made sense to extrapolate the effort into a profile-driven sFTP framework making it easy for the NetSuite administrator to setup future file transfer situations.

Key Capacities of the sFTP Connector

The client had the typical requirements for file transfer for hands-free automation. As such, we needed to support these capacities:

1. Profile Driven: we need to be able to set up a profile with the pointers for the target sFTP server and the local NetSuite file cabinet. This includes the connection parameters, keys (N/key), and file specifications.
2. Bidirectional: we need to be able to send and receive files in either direction.
3. Archive File Management: we need to have job control and thus move files to an archive folder on the remote and local file system after a successful file transfer.
4. File Specifications: we need to be able to specify patterns for files to be picked up and for transfer.  If necessary, we need to be able to overwrite files.
5. Scheduled Routines: NetSuite supports a scheduler that is granular up to every 15 minutes. If needed, we can have other events trigger immediate file transfers.
6. Testing and Logging: when doing the setup, it’s important to see if connectivity is working. Logged operations are provided to help build dashboards to check for any errors and ensure troublefree operations.

Demonstration and sFTP Connector Technical Interview

Our technical consultant, Borko M., helped create the Connector. Since he and I created the Enterprise FTP system in 2015, he knew the general pattern we had previously proven and that experience would be valuable to build as a simple NetSuite sFTP transfer tool.

In the following video, I interviewed Borko as he did some packaging so we could make the software easier to maintain. The interview will help a NetSuite Administrator understand how it works.   Shortly after, I worked on the application to help make it more refined including providing a user guide.

Get the Prolecto sFTP Connector Accelerator

Like all the tools we create, the application is available to all of our clients without a license charge. Because it is an accelerator, it is designed to jumpstart an implementation to minimize the need for any software development — yet if we need to tweak it for special requirements, it’s easy.

If you found this article helpful, click here to be notified of new posts. If you would like to get a handle on your sFTP or other NetSuite file transfer challenge, let’s have a conversation.

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Marty Zigman

Holding all three official certifications, Marty is regarded as the top NetSuite expert and leads a team of senior professionals at Prolecto Resources, Inc. He is a former Deloitte & Touche CPA and has held CTO roles. For over 30 years, Marty has produced leadership in ERP, CRM and eCommerce business systems. Contact Marty to set up a conversation.

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