Ipswitch, Inc. Expands Cross Platform Reach of WS_FTP Pro With Support of SFTP for Unix, Boosts Productivity With Enhanced Management Tools

Business Wire, Sept 26, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

LEXINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2002

Powerful additions in version 7.6 benefit

business users, Webmasters and home users

Ipswitch, Inc., a leading supplier of Internet productivity software for Windows, today announced the release of WS_FTP Pro 7.6, the latest version of its industry-leading file transfer protocol (FTP) client software. WS_FTP Pro 7.6 provides network administrators and business users greater security when transferring files to and from legacy systems, such as UNIX platforms, with Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) over SSH 2.0 (Secure Socket Shell), a UNIX-based command interface that securely accesses a remote computer. Home users of WS_FTP Pro 7.6 now have an even easier way to transfer files with the addition of dial-up management within the FTP connection process and an improved Synchronize utility that enables users to preview files to be synchronized before they are transferred, saving time and effort.

"We recognize there are two very different types of WS_FTP users: power users, who are often in a business, and home users," said Ipswitch President Roger C. Greene. "The new capabilities in version 7.6 address areas that are of great interest to both groups. Business users can now connect to legacy systems in a secure manner. For home users with dial-up access to the Internet, WS_FTP Pro 7.6 has dial-up management integrated into the connection process. We've made the entire process that much more seamless. Both types of users benefit from enhanced management functions designed to boost productivity and accelerate file downloads."

Greater security transferring files to and from legacy systems

With SFTP over SSH 2.0, WS_FTP Pro 7.6 guarantees that sensitive business data remains confidential during the access and remote management of files on legacy systems that run on UNIX servers. This is of great importance to administrators that strive to maintain the highest security levels possible for their networks.

"Keeping files secure when transferring from one NT server to another, as well as from an NT server to our mainframe, is a top priority for me," said Michael Eydelman, systems analyst for Federal Reserve Bank of New York. "WS_FTP Pro 7.6's support of SFTP makes this a manageable task. I use line commands that help hide passwords. This provides me with a sense of confidence that security has been maintained."

Time savings and greater flexibility for Webmasters with enhanced Synchronize utility

Webmasters can maximize productivity with WS_FTP Pro 7.6's improved Synchronize utility, which reduces the incidence of mistakenly transferred files and eliminates the considerable amount of time required to manually correct problems. Setting up file transfer jobs is more efficient with the ability to preview files, similar to a "print preview" function when printing documents, prior to transfer. Webmasters also have greater flexibility in that WS_FTP Pro 7.6 enables synchronization between two remote sites and between a local PC and a remote site.

Improved file transfer seamlessness for home users with automated dial-up management

Home users have one less step to be concerned with when transferring files with the integration of dial-up management in the FTP connection process. Approximately four out of five people in the United States use a dial-up connection. WS_FTP Pro 7.6 automatically dials up to connect to the Internet once a user initiates an FTP connection. When WS_FTP Pro 7.6 is closed, the dial-up session is automatically terminated so the user does not have to think to disconnect, a plus for individuals who could forget and thus miss important telephone calls.

Faster downloads with multi-part download capability

WS_FTP Pro 7.6 significantly speeds-up downloads with its new multi-part download capability. This is of particular interest when downloading larger files from an FTP server that limits bandwidth per connection. WS_FTP Pro 7.6's multi-part downloads split a large file (over 1MB) and use multiple file connections to download the parts simultaneously. The parts are automatically recombined upon receipt.

WS_FTP Pro price and availability

WS_FTP Pro 7.6 is available for a U.S. list price of $45, or $39.95 on-line by visiting Ipswitch's Web site at www.ipswitch.com. Current WS_FTP Pro users can upgrade to version 7.6 at a cost of $9.95.

Founded in 1991, Ipswitch, Inc. develops easy-to-use, affordable, Windows-based software products that enhance the productivity of users from consumers to IT professionals. Its product family includes WS_FTP Pro, the world's most popular FTP client, with 128-bit SSL encryption and tens of millions of users; WS_FTP Server, with 128-bit SSL encryption, the first industrial-strength, full-featured FTP server for Windows NT/2000; WhatsUp Gold, a leading network mapping, monitoring, notification and reporting tool monitoring over 23,000 customer networks worldwide; IMail Server, the leading Internet messaging server for small and medium size companies and ISPs, with 50 million seats; and IMail Anti-Virus, powered by Symantec's CarrierScan(TM) and fully integrated with IMail Server, a powerful and easy to administer, all-in-one anti-virus solution - all designed to enhance mission-critical business solutions. Ipswitch products set new standards for functionality, performance, reliability and interoperability, while providing the foundation for corporate internetworking, and are available directly from Ipswitch and through distributors, resellers and OEMs worldwide.