file transfer via HTTP? ISDN (INS) will end in 2020

file transfer via HTTP? ISDN (INS) will end in 2020

ISDN users must see this: HTTP file transfer
Responding to the 2020 problem

With the Tokyo Olympics coming up in 2020, various businesses are booming. However, it's not all good news for companies. The 2020 problem, which will see the abolition of "digital communication mode," which handles data communications within the INS network, could have an impact on internal and external networks, including file transfer systems. What specific impact will this have?

1. What is the 2020 problem?

The rapid spread of mobile phones and the shift from landline phones to IP phones are progressing among both individuals and corporations. In fact, the number of IP phone contracts already surpassed that of landline phone contracts in 2013. And mobile phones are continuing to grow at an even faster rate (note). In the future, the number of landline phones may decrease, but it is hard to imagine them increasing.

In this situation, NTT East and NTT West announced in November 2010 that they would be migrating from the existing public switched telephone network (PSTN) to the Internet network. As a result, they plan to end the digital communication mode of their ISDN service "INS Net" in the second half of 2020.

Of course, fixed-line telephone services via the PSTN are Japan's core communications infrastructure, and the impact of the transition to an IP network will be immeasurable. For this reason, measures are planned to allow the metal lines and telephone networks installed in ordinary homes to continue to be used as is. However, this only applies to ordinary homes, and various impacts are expected for businesses.

For example, in terms of systems that use the traditional telephone network, examples include POS systems that record sales information for each product sold in a store, and EDI systems that communicate and transmit various transaction information such as orders, shipments, billing, and payments between companies and automatically process them on computers. Companies that do not complete IP compatibility for these systems by the end of their services will no longer be able to use them as they have in the past. This is the 2020 problem for communications infrastructure.

2. The 2020 problem will also affect file transfer

The 2020 problem is expected to affect many systems that use traditional telephone networks, including file transfer systems. Companies that use INS lines will need to consider alternative services to EDI over the telephone network or ISDN.

Daily sales, purchases, inventory, business reports, and more are sent from branches and factories across the country. Many companies send and receive large volumes of data every day as information needed to make quick management decisions. It is no exaggeration to say that file transfer system that can share information efficiently and accurately holds the fate of a company in its hands, increasing competitiveness and contributing to quick management decisions. However, if the file transfer system remains as it is, it may become unusable in a few years.

3. The ability to file transfer via HTTP is important

How should we handle file transfer in 2020 and beyond? As a temporary solution, one option is to use online storage or file transfer services that allow file transfer and sharing via HTTP.

However, using online storage and file transfer services as a business poses security issues and in-house file management challenges, making it difficult to replace file transfer services via INS lines. There is an urgent need to transition to file transfer system that uses HTTP, is secure, and allows for in-house file management.

4. What kind file transfer can address the 2020 problem?

The 2020 problem will bring about major changes to corporate communication environments. While some fax machines may be usable as they are, file transfer that use INS lines will need to be replaced. The most effective alternative is a secure corporate file transfer system that can be used via HTTP.

Secure file transfer systems for businesses that can be used via HTTP do incur replacement costs compared to online storage or general free file transfer services. However, when you consider the reduced risk of information leaks and the increased freedom in handling files, the replacement costs are probably within a reasonable range.

If companies put it off until the very last minute of 2020, it is expected that many companies will rush to replace their systems. In some cases, there is a risk that they will not be able to implement the system in time.
If you are considering replacing file transfer system and are looking for a more secure system that can file transfer, why not take advantage of the approaching 2020 problem to consider introducing a secure file transfer system that can be used via HTTP?

»Check out file transfer services available via HTTP!

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