Why Globalscape EFT customers are switching to Axway MFT

Globalscape EFT has been a major player in the mid- and SME market for file transfer and data exchange for over 40 years. Having collected customers from all over the world, en masse during the 2000–2015 period, it likely sits on one of the largest renewal bases for managed file transfer, by quantity, of all solutions in the marketplace.

And so, it is particularly sad to watch what feels like a slow demise – as it goes from major player of the MFT market, to being hidden behind its sister solution, as its customer list is slowly consumed by stronger rivals. From its peak before its 2020 acquisition, Globalscape EFT has in my opinion failed to keep up with industry trends.

Today, customers find themselves asking questions about its long-term viability. Often, they seek replacement solutions which are more aligned with their growing operational and changing architectural needs. In this blog, I will cover some of the primary reasons why we are seeing former Globalscape EFT customers selecting alternatives.

Lack of development or vision

For anyone who has seen the Globalscape EFT roadmap, it is less inspiring and more a game of catch-up. As a perfect example, Globalscape EFT still today lacks a modern web-based user interface.

Some work has gone into the initial creation of what is known as WAC (Web Administration Console), but it is severely restricted in functionality and not favored by customers. Whom instead resort back to using the Windows application at any opportunity.

This of course has compounding effects. Globalscape EFT remains one of the few MFT solutions where both the core application and its remote agents are limited to Windows operating systems only. Unlike its sister solution GoAnywhere, it is not run in a JRE (Java Runtime Environment) and so could not be easily ported between operating systems.

Limiting the core application to a single operating system is puzzling enough, but restricting remote agents to the same ecosystem makes their widespread adoption problematic for businesses who have a mix of systems and strive for managed file transfer to be the simplifying element of their complex environments.

These are just two examples of many, raising red flags about commitment to its long-term development.

Living in the shadow of GoAnywhere

The elephant in the room is GoAnywhere – and what Fortra’s long-term vision is for the two MFT solutions in its portfolio.

Ominously, there is no official line on the plan for Globalscape or how Fortra aims to differentiate between these two overlapping solutions. I can only speculate that the plan is to eventually move Globalscape EFT customers to GoAnywhere, but the strategy for pulling off such a mammoth task – without customers going to market to look at a wider range of alternatives – has yet to be determined.

What is certain is that Fortra will need to make a decision on this problem sooner rather than later.

The questions remain:

❓What is the distinctive difference between GoAnywhere and Globalscape EFT which creates separation between them for new customer opportunities?

❓Can existing Globalscape EFT customers rely on continued investment from Fortra when it is not the solution which is generating new business?

❓Will Globalscape customers be forced to migrate? At what cost? How much notice will be given for EOL (End of Life)?

With so many unanswered questions hanging over the heads of customers, it is becoming clear that Fortra suffers from favorite child syndrome, much to the detriment of those using Globalscape EFT.

Absence of strong cloud options

To be clear from the outset, Globalscape EFT does have a cloud option – known as ARCUS. The challenge is not that it has a cloud option: it is whether it lives up to the needs of the market.

Personally, I am not convinced that it does so.

Remembering back to point number one, Globalscape EFT lacks a fully featured web administration console. At time of writing, it only permits:

→ Creation and customization of user accounts.

→ Basic view of Globalscape EFT health.

→ Summarized information regarding inbound files, outbound files, how many event rules are active and numbers of connected users.

All further administration must take place through the Windows application interface, via an RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) session.

To further dig through the veneer, ARCUS is simply a Globalscape EFT instance installed on a Windows virtual machine in AWS. This is something most customers could achieve themselves.

But it’s no surprise. There is a common feeling of lack of investment and development, of which the lack of strong cloud options is yet another symptom.

Concerns about available skills and support capabilities

Around the industry today, you see many of those who used to work for Globalscape now positioned at rival vendors – putting their expertise to use. The reason I focus on this point, despite it not being a unique one, is the sheer volume of attrition and the potential impact it has had on support for the Globalscape EFT customer base.

Things have undoubtedly improved over the years following the acquisition, with support being shored up from talent in other Fortra acquisitions and even those from the GoAnywhere side. However, the depth of skill must remain a question – and how to build up that skills base on a solution which doesn’t appear to the have best of prospects.

Fortra’s MFT line is a channel business – employing an army of partners across the world to assist with sales and technical skill. It is my experience that it these very partners who have shouldered the burden of the skill deficit left behind post-acquisition. Fortra have heavily lent on partners, but skills fade fast if not consistently in use and without significant focus on new sales. So, too, will the attention of channel partners who see more opportunity in other areas.

Why Axway MFT is winning

In recent years, Axway has seen the concerned customer base of Globalscape EFT come to our site and engage with our teams at a higher frequency. Those customers are attracted by:

✅ An innovative and committed roadmap fueled by market trends and customer user groups.

✅ A strong and unwavering vision – without distraction – to create the most secure and operationally robust file transfer and data exchange product line in the marketplace.

✅ Our embracing of modern technologies and evolving architectural models, with support for multiple operating systems, containerization, and cloud technologies. Axway MFT aims to be hyper-connectable.

✅ Our tenure and expertise in the marketplace. With Axway supporting up to $40T of US GDP, 3 of 4 of the world’s major credit card providers, and the top 10 car manufacturers – our customers benefit from exceptional skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Axway MFT a replacement for Globalscape EFT?

Yes, both are file transfer and data exchange solutions. However, Globalscape EFT have had some challenges in recent years which are driving their customers to seek alternatives. Axway MFT has a reputation for reliability and security which is highly attractive to Globalscape EFT customers who are concerned about lack of innovation in their incumbent solution.

Has Globalscape EFT entered end of life?

Fortra hasn’t indicated that this is the case and continues to sell both its primary solution, GoAnywhere, and Globalscape EFT. Globalscape EFT releases have felt lackluster in recent times. For example, Globalscape EFT continues to be without a fully featured web administration console.

Will Globalscape customers be forced to migrate to GoAnywhere?

We don’t know; there hasn’t been any official information about the long-term plans for having two MFT solution in their portfolio. Meanwhile, some Globalscape customers are becoming increasingly nervous about its future prospects and what they might be forced to do with any notice they are given.

Does Globalscape EFT support operating systems other than Windows?

Globalscape EFT and its remote agents have a dependency on Microsoft Windows operating systems. In addition, there is no official support for containerization. This stands in contrast to Axway MFT which supports multiple operating systems, containerization, and cloud deployments.