Simplifying AS2 File Transfers with SFTPPlus MFT

AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is a protocol for EDI and B2B file exchanges. Businesses need to exchange files securely, reliably, and in compliance with partner requirements.

SFTPPlus MFT is a Drummond certified product that enables secure AS2 file exchange. Whether you're sending purchase orders to suppliers or receiving invoices from customers, SFTPPlus handles AS2 traffic based on simple configuration rules, without the need for programming or writing code.

All standard AS2 protocol functionalities and control mechanism are supported:

  • 🔐 Encryption
  • ✍️ Digital signatures
  • ✅ Message delivery notifications (MDNs) - synchronous or asynchronous

The Drummond certification confirms the interoperability with other AS2-compliant systems.

Diagram illustrating the process of secure AS2 file transfers using SFTPPlus MFT

Send and Receive AS2 Files

SFTPPlus MFT supports sending and receiving files over AS2, over HTTP or HTTPS, with or without password protected accounts.

Key Features:

  • 🔁 AS2 Transfers in Both Directions Send and receive files via AS2 with support for encryption, signing, and MDNs.
  • 📬 Delivery Confirmation with MDNs Track successful delivery using synchronous or asynchronous MDNs.
  • ⚙️ File Processing Automation After a file transfer, SFTPPlus MFT can Archive the file, notify users via email, or move the file to another destination (FTPS, SFTP, etc.)
  • 🔌 Integration Options Works with on-premise systems and cloud platforms.

FTP / SFTP bridge

AS2 is often mandated by major trading partners. However, configuring and managing an AS2 server can be complex, especially for small businesses or teams that rely on common FTP/SFTP clients like WinSCP or FileZilla.

SFTPPlus MFT bridges this complexity by:

  • 🧩 Handling all AS2 protocol interactions under the hood.
  • 🌐 Supporting standard protocols like FTP, SFTP or HTTP for user interaction.
  • ⚙️ Offering advanced routing, automation, and storage integration.

Let's explore how SFTPPlus MFT can streamline an AS2 workflow, moving files between AS2 partners making them available to cloud storage solutions (Azure Blob, AWS S3, Google Cloud) or internal business applications.

Receiving Files via AS2

  • Once a partner sends a file over AS2, SFTPPlus AS2 server receives the file, verifies the signature, and sends a synchronous or asynchronous MDN as required. The file is stored locally.
  • The received files are automatically moved based on file type (e.g., XML, CSV, PDF) or AS2 Partner ID (sender ID embedded in the AS2 header).

For example:

  • EDI files from PartnerA are routed to an on-premise ERP system.
  • CSV files from PartnerC are stored in a dedicated Amazon S3 bucket for data analytics.

SFTPPlus MFT uses triggers, filters, and event handlers to implement this logic without requiring external scripts.

Making Files Available to End Users via SFTP/FTPS

Files received over AS2 and processed by SFTPPlus can be exposed via:

  • FTP server
  • SFTP server
  • HTTP server with REST API

This means business users can use their preferred clients like SFTP connectors, WinSCP, FileZilla, or even scheduled scripts, to securely download the files, without ever needing to support AS2 themselves.

Access can be controlled through user authentication, directory permissions, and IP restrictions.

Uploading Files to AS2 via SFTP/FTPS

On the outbound side, SFTPPlus supports the reverse flow:

  • End users upload files using standard protocols (e.g., FTP or SFTP)
  • SFTPPlus picks up these files and forwards them to the appropriate AS2 partner.
  • All AS2-specific logic, such as encryption, digital signing, retries, and MDNs, is handled internally.

This allows seamless AS2 integration even for teams without AS2 expertise. Your users interact with a familiar SFTP interface, while SFTPPlus handles AS2 packaging, transmission, and acknowledgments.

Benefits of This Architecture:

  • 🎭 Protocol Abstraction: Users don't need to deal with AS2 complexity, just use SFTP or FTPS.
  • ➡️ Flexible Routing: Files can be moved, renamed, or processed based on metadata or file patterns.
  • ☁️ Cloud-Ready: Integrates natively with cloud providers using REST APIs or mounted file systems.
  • 🧾 Compliance and Auditability: Logs all file transfers, AS2 MDNs, and user interactions for compliance.

Conclusion

SFTPPlus MFT offers a practical solution for organizations needing to interact with AS2 partners while preserving ease of use for internal users and maintaining integration with cloud and on-premise systems.

By abstracting protocol complexity and providing robust automation and routing, SFTPPlus acts as a reliable middleware that supports a wide range of business needs.

👉 Want to see a live demo or learn how to configure SFTPPlus for AS2 transfers? Contact our dedicated SFTPPlus support team.