This deployment guide simply serves to helping bring to light the definition of Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and how this functions within intelliHR. The below will outline how SFTP works with intelliHR, the limitations of SFTP and the relevant connection and set-up costs to utilise SFTP.
This article covers:
What is SFTP?
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol that provides file transfer functionality and is typically used with the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol to provide secure file transfer.
SFTP integrations send or consume pre-configured Comma Separated files (csv) at automated inteverals. A typical SFTP integrations may be scheduled to create a csv file of new starters from intelliHR once every 24 hours to be consumed by a payroll system, or vice versa.
How Does SFTP Work with intelliHR?
SFTP integrations are a way to transfer files between intelliHR and another software platform over the internet. SFTP can be secure if implemented with client identification and authentication via different protocols that vary in encryption strength and depth but have generally been replaced by various public API methods and middleware solutions.
To automate a csv file via SFTP, the intelliHR Public API is used as a secure layer to generate or consume the content. A service needs to be implemented to automate the handling and process information in the desired direction - think of this a machine replacing a human who might download, edit and upload a spreadsheet.
SFTP can be used to transfer your people data from intelliHR to another platform, provided they support it. For example, you might want to make sure that all your employees in intelliHR are coming across from intelliHR into your payroll system, you could use SFTP to transfer your people data to your payroll platform.
Equally, if your applicant tracking system does not have an API, you may be able to automate the construction of a csv file via SFTP which can then be pulled down and processed to create new starters in intelliHR.
SFTP Limitations
SFTP is a widely-used protocol for transferring files over a network, and has largely replaced the original FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
However, like any technology, SFTP has its limitations and may not be the best choice for all use cases. SFTP was designed for making set intervals syncs (typically overnight) rather than continuous, real-time transfer of changes like an API integration - effectively adding a bottleneck to your data. This can impact the end user experience, where an employee may need to wait up to 48 hours for a change in one system to be populated in another.
This also means that certain csv files may create large security surface area with lots of sensitive data being held in a csv, so assessing the protocols and accessibility of the SFTP service is important.
Another consideration is the processing method of the csv - if the downstream system processes the whole csv at once, it may fail the entire file if one row contains an issue and require reprocessing or manual intervention.
Generally, API to API integrations tend to be more reliable, secure and scalable to implement than SFTP solutions. Where possible, intelliHR endeavours to integrate with partner platform API’s backed by modern security protocols.
Connection & Set-up Costs
Typically intelliHR does not directly implement SFTP integrations as SFTP integrations are often bespoke, requiring dedicated professional services development to build, test, deploy and maintain.
We recommend engaging one of our experienced solution partners who specialise in building and managing SFTP enterprise architecture: https://intellihr.com/partner-marketplace/
Costs can vary greatly based on the nature of the data you are sending or consuming and the frequency that you would like syncs to take place. If you would like to chat more about SFTP integrations with intelliHR, speak to your Customer Success Manager.