Overview
TIBCO Reward
sends and receives data files containing client data
through a secure file transfer system, never through an unsecured file transfer
mechanism. Note, however, that the sample files used to set up data mapping
standards, which have no live or sensitive data, can be sent via email.
An introduction to the subject of file transfer protocols and secure FTP
is provided in the
Secure Data Transfer section
of this guide.
TIBCO Reward
has standardized client data exchange on the Secure File
Transfer Protocol (SFTP). SFTP is a file transfer protocol that uses the SSH
(secure shell) environment for authentication and encryption. TIBCO Reward also
supports FTPS for AS/400 clients. FTPS is an enhancement to the standard FTP
protocol, using the same commands and communication ports with SSL/TLS
authentication and encryption.
TIBCO Reward
sets up file directories and a corresponding secure client
account on TIBCO Reward’s SFTP server for your Company. An FTP client that
specifically supports SFTP or FTPS will be required. TIBCO Reward does not
provide support for third-party vendor software, however your Company's
Integration Engineer should be able to recommend an appropriate FTP client
based on your operating system. Your TIBCO Reward Account Management
representative will provide you with the required credentials for accessing our
system.
All files to be transferred to and from TIBCO Reward MUST BE located
inside one of the following folders:
- ToInstorecard
- FromInStorecard
Files should not be stored on the root directory. In many cases, write
access to the root directory is denied to avoid confusion. To obtain an
exception to this policy, you must explicitly request an exception in writing
and obtain written permission, which will document the details and terms of the
agreement. If an exception is required, TIBCO Reward will provide you with an
additional directory to store files for a short term. To further ensure that
your customers' data is secure, eight days of file exports will be available
via the FromInstorecard folder (for example, Monday to Monday). Files left on
the server for more than eight days are subject to archiving and deletion.
To get access to these secure directories, you need access to an FTP
client application that supports SFTP or FTPS as described in
Appendix B, Setting Up FTP File
Directories. Your TIBCO Reward Account Management representative will
provide you with a username and password associated with this SFTP or FTPS
application
TIBCO Reward
and each of its clients test the secure file transfer
system by sending and receiving sample files using the new secure client
account.
An excellent introduction to secure FTP protocols and technologies is
available at the South River Technologies’ WebDrive site:
http://www.webdrive.com/products/webdrive/index.html.
Platform-Specific Constraints
To securely transfer files between systems running a Windows OS, TIBCO Reward typically sets up an SFTP file directory and a corresponding secure
account for each client. Some of the legacy platforms will only support the
FTPS protocol; therefore, any TIBCO Reward company client that needs to
transfer files from these devices will need to install an FTPS solution.
Appendix B, Setting Up FTP File
Directories
provides instructions for obtaining access to such a client
application. These instructions are provided only as an example, for the
purposes of illustrating the set-up process.