FAQ

Why should we be using envoy?

Because envoy not only makes data exchange with your customers and suppliers much easier, but also secure.

Why is envoy more secure than FTP or SFTP?

FTP-transmissions are unencrypted and can theoretically be viewed by third parties. SFTP and SCP are more secure, since your data is encrypted during transfer. However, the data is not encrypted when stored on the server, and if the FTP server is compromised, so is your data. For envoy, this is not a problem, since envoy encrypts data at the sender's end, and only decrypts it on the recipient's computer. Only encrypted data are stored on the server.

What is the maximal file size that envoy can transfer?

envoy imperceptibly divides large data into many small individual packets. File size in itself is therefore unlimited; even several gigabyes of data can be tranferred without problem.

Are data compressed during transfer to shorten transfer times?

Yes, envoy compresses all data on the fly. Obviously, already compressed files cannot be minimised further.

What happens if the connection fails?

envoy is insensitive to interruptions. If your network connection fails, envoy will resume the transfer when a connection is re-established. No data will be lost and no data will have to be transferred again.

Can data on the server be overwritten?

No. Once a package has been uploaded onto the server, no retrospective changes can be made. However, you can always upload new packages. This policy ensures that a supplier cannot retrospectively change data on the server, while the data might already be processed.

What makes envoy so secure?

envoy uses different state of the art crypto-algorithms for the encryption of protocol data and user data. The cryptography is based on key-pairs, that are generated for each separate user. This means that your data is not only secured during transport and storage, but that access rights of employees and external partners are also automatically regulated.

Does envoy function with firewalls?

envoy does not require specific exception rules for your firewall. envoy simply communicates via the port used for internet browsing - it even adheres to the HTTP protocol.

Why is envoy better than e-mail?

Sending data via e-mail is not only as insecure as a postcard, but also has other problematic facets. Many mail servers are limiting file sizes for attachments or simply refuse certain file types. Envoy, however, has been designed for data transfer. Envoy endorses no size limits, and encrypts and reliably transports any type of data.

Why is user management with envoy better than with FTP?

In envoy, it is easy to model user groups with different access limits, which ensures that data sent by a customer is directly transferred to the responsible contact person or project team. In envoy, users can only view areas relevant to their specific tasks, and only modify data for which access has been granted – the directory structure is transparent and easy to navigate.

Can envoy optimise our data workflow?

Definitely! In envoy, every upload can be enriched with additional information, which ascertains that the responsible contact or client knows how to process the data. Furthermore, envoy is capable of updating the status of data packets. This means that your customers know about their data's current processing stage.

Does envoy support preflighting or other automated pre-processing steps?

Yes. The envoy service client features options for automatic data download from the server, their decryption and transfer to further processes. The results of such processes can initiate different follow-up processes or change the status of the data packet.

Do we need client software to use envoy?

Yes. Strong encryption of your data before transfer requires the use of client software. Other solutions, like the ones that offer a web platform for up- and download, can only use SSL encryption for the actual transport; however, data are no longer encrypted while stored on a file server, which can become a problem if the server is compromised. An envoy server on the other hand only stores encrypted data and therefore remains secure, even from hackers.

Does envoy run on all operating systems?

envoy is platform-independent, and runs on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Linux. We recommend using Unix (Linus, FreeBSD) as your server's operating system.

Download

The most current version of the envoy clients for Mac and Windows can be found here:

envoy for Windows
envoy for Mac OS X