Do eDiscovery FTP Uploads Save Time? And How Do They Work?

02 December 2019 by John eDiscovery Upload FTP

Takeaway: Uploading eDiscovery files is surprisingly simple – just drag-and-drop them from your computer into your web browser. But this can still take time, and occasionally some technical issues pop up. That’s why many busy law firms would rather have their eDiscovery provider upload the files for them. And FTP transfers are the smartest way to do this. So, save time by using eDiscovery software that lets you make FTP uploads.

The Cloud has transformed the way we store eDiscovery data.

We used to store data on private servers – which cost a lot to run, and needed 24x7 IT support. Obviously, smaller law firms couldn’t afford this. Now, though, we store data in the Cloud – which is a vast network of computers owned by software giants like Amazon and Google. These giants lease storage and computing power to businesses all over the world. And since you’re storing data on the same servers as thousands of other Cloud customers, you split the bill. Also, these Cloud providers handle all the technical and maintenance work (e.g., handling security, fixing hardware and software issues, etc.) This means small and solo law firms can compete with their larger counterparts.

So, how do you get your data into the Cloud?

With Cloud eDiscovery, you don’t need to download any software. Instead, you use your web browser to go to your eDiscovery provider’s website and log in, as you’d do with email. This means that you can access your files from anywhere – all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. And getting your files into the Cloud is easy too. Just drag-and-drop them into your eDiscovery/web browser. Your software will then do a lot of behind-the-scenes work. It’ll weed out duplicate files and system files (i.e., files you’ll never use like .DAT, .DLL, .IDX files), convert all your files into a common format, and extract important file metadata and embedded files.

But what if you don’t have time for these Cloud uploads?

As convenient as Cloud eDiscovery is, you may still face technical issues from time to time. For example, there may be a processing error while you’re uploading files. Or your files may be too big. Perhaps you don’t have the time to oversee all this. Whatever the reason, many law firms choose to have their eDiscovery providers handle the uploading. One way of doing this is to send your vendor a hard drive with all your data. But there’s a more elegant solution.

FTP uploads: The smart way to send in your files

What if you could transfer your eDiscovery files directly from your computer to your vendor’s server? With FTP, you can. It stands for File Transfer Protocol, and it’s one of the oldest ways of transferring files over a computer network. It was developed in the early 70s and is what computer networking and the modern internet were built on. It involves 2 computers – one being a ‘‘server’ that stores data, and the other a ‘‘client’ that sends and receives files from the server. The client computer and server first connect and identify each other, with what’s called a ‘control connection.’ Here the client proves it’s to be trusted by offering its username and password. Then, the server makes a second connection for the actual data transfer.

How do you upload eDiscovery files using FTP?

Ask your eDiscovery vendor to set up an FTP server for you. They’ll make it available for a fixed period – usually 1 week. Once that time is up, you’ll have to ask them for a new server.
Launch your FTP client. Filezilla is one of the more commonly used ones. It has a user-friendly interface, lets you resume uploads that were paused or stopped, and is compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and more.
Enter the address of the server that your eDiscovery provider gives you.
Then enter the ID details they give you. I.e., the username, password, and port. Your computer will now connect with their FTP server.
Click on the folder you’ve been given access to. Then drag-and-drop your files and folders into the ‘‘queued files’ section.
Click the upload button and wait for the files to be uploaded. That’s it!

Need eDiscovery software that offers custom FTP uploads? Try GoldFynch.

It’s a fresh, adaptable eDiscovery application with all the features that a discerning small-to-medium size law firm needs.

It costs just $27 a month for a 3 GB case: That’s significantly less—every month—than the nearest comparable software. And hundreds of dollars less than many others. With GoldFynch, you know what you’re paying for exactly – its pricing is simple and readily available on the website.
It’s easy to budget for. GoldFynch has a flat, prorated rate. With legacy software, your bill changes depending on how much data you use.
It takes just minutes to get going. It runs in the Cloud, so you use it through your web browser (Google Chrome recommended). No installation. No sales calls or emails. Plus, you get a free, fully-functional trial case (0.5 GB of data and processing cap of 1 GB), without adding a credit card.
It can handle even the largest cases. GoldFynch scales from small to large, since it’s in the Cloud. So, choose from a range of case sizes (3 GB to 100 GB, and more) and don’t waste money on space you don’t need.
You can access it from anywhere. And 24/7. All your files are backed up and secure in the Cloud. And you can monitor its servers here.
You won’t have to worry about technical stuff. It’s designed, developed, and run by the same team. So, its technical support isn’t outsourced. Which means you get prompt and reliable service.

Want to learn more about GoldFynch?

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