Is file transfer service the best option for sending and receiving large files?

Sending and receiving large files.
The best way is a file transfer service...?

In our daily work, we often exchange large files, such as submitting PowerPoint proposals filled with diagrams, delivering images designed in Illustrator, and sharing audio files of recorded interviews. Many people think that sending and receiving large files means using file transfer service, but in fact there are many other ways to do so.
In this article, we will introduce three types of large-capacity file sending and receiving services, including file transfer services, and their respective features.

1. Large-capacity file sending and receiving service Part 1: "file transfer service" that only requires the recipient's email address

file transfer service is a service that allows you to send and receive files using a dedicated transfer service website. Popular file transfer services include "Takufilebin," "firestorage," and "File Post." These services allow you to easily send large files by simply specifying the recipient's email address. There are currently several sites in operation, and you can choose your preferred site based on user interface and specifications.

The general benefits of file transfer services are:

1. When sending a file, you can send it using only the recipient's email address.
2. You don't have to worry about the other person's PC environment
3. Some sites allow you to set a password when sending.
4. After a certain period of time, the data on the server is deleted.

[Here's the key point!]
When sending a file, if you make a mistake in the recipient's email address, there is a high risk of sending it to the wrong person. If your company does not allow you to access the service, you may not be able to use it.

2. Large-capacity file transfer service Part 2: "Cloud services" are convenient for sharing files among multiple people

It is a service that sends and receives files via a server on the Internet. Familiar services include "Dropbox," "Google Drive," and "OneDrive." The benefits of cloud services are...

1. Since this method uploads directly to the server, there is no need to worry about file storage expiration dates or file size.
2. Sharing files with multiple people is very convenient, as each person who wants to use the files can simply go and retrieve them once they have been uploaded to the server.

[Here's the key point!]
Everyone you want to share files with must be a subscriber to the same cloud service, and this may not be possible if your company doesn't allow access to external sites.

3. Large-capacity file transfer service No. 3: "Peer-to-peer" is resistant to PC and network failures

Peer-to-peer is a service that sends data directly to the other party without going through a server. The word "peer" means "equal," and files are sent directly from one PC to another on the network. The widely used service "Skype" is also a peer-to-peer service.

The general benefits of peer-to-peer are...

1. You can send files directly to the recipient.
2. Since it does not go through the server, there is no impact from server outages, etc.
3. The load on one part of the system is not concentrated, and it can handle sudden increases in traffic.

[Here's the key point!]
Peer-to-peer requires both the sender and receiver of a file to use the same software. This can be difficult to use if you don't know the other person's PC environment. Also, since information is distributed across the network, it is difficult to keep a centralized view of it.

Summary: When file transfer large files, use the appropriate service flexibly!

We've looked at three different file transfer services. Each service has its pros and cons, so it's difficult to decide which is best. It's a good idea to choose the service you want to use depending on the size of the file you're sending and the recipient's situation.

• When dealing with a customer for the first time, you will of course not know the other person's PC environment, so it is safest to specify an email address and send the file.
  ⇒File file transfer service
• If you know that the other person is using the same cloud service as you, it is efficient to create a folder to store and share files and upload them there.
  ⇒ Cloud services
• When you're holding an audio conference using Skype, you can also send documents using Skype, allowing you to send files without switching screens or apps.
  ⇒ Peer-to-peer

Finally, when sending or receiving work-related files, you should never forget about security issues. You should password protect the file itself before sending, or if you use file transfer service, you can password protect the file when you send it.

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