FTP Connection in Zoho People | Help

FTP Connection

Zoho People's File Transfer Protocol (FTP) connection allows you to securely transfer Zoho People system and custom form data to your servers for use as needed. Use the FTP Connection feature to set up a connection between Zoho People and your server. Once the server is connected, import the CSV file with the field names listed column-wise to map with the corresponding Zoho People form-fields.  After mapping, the data will be synchronized daily on your server at the scheduled time.
Notes
This feature is available in the Professional and higher plans of Zoho People.

What is FTP Connection?

The File Transfer Protocol is a standard communication protocol used for the transfer of computer files from a server to a client on a computer network. FTP is built on a client–server model architecture using separate control and data connections between the client and the server. 

How is it useful?

In Zoho People, we help you transfer your Zoho People form data to your server in a secure way without having to install a service in the host's data server.

FTP Server Benefits

  1. Scheduled data transfers can automate the process to synchronize data at regular intervals.
  2. Automatically resumes interrupted transfers for completion of missed data transfers.
  3. Web hosting services support FTP, making it easy to integrate with your third party applications.
  4. Manages high volumes of file transfers efficiently, enabling fast and secure data transfers.
  5. Allows users to access and manage files on remote servers.
  6. Checks for data integrity, ensuring data is accurately transferred.

Supported FTP Connection in Zoho People

  1. FTP - File Transfer Protocol
  2. SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
The features of the FTP connection types are listed below. You can select the type of connection that best suits the needs of your organization.

FTP
SFTP

  1. FTP exchanges data using two separate channels - the command channel and data channel. 

  2. Command channel and data channel are unencrypted.

  3. FTP uses two different ports, one for command and control and other for data transfer.

  4. Widely supported and straightforward to set up, but requires additional measures to ensure security.

  5. Requires a username and password for authentication.
  1. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is a secure FTP protocol that sends files over secure shell (SSH), providing a high level of protection for file transfers.

  2. Command channel and data channel are encrypted.

  3. SFTP needs only a single port number for all SFTP communications, making it easy to secure.

  4. Requires username and password or SSH keys for authentication.

Set Up FTP Connection in Zoho People

Info
Users with the Zoho People Administrator role can set up the FTP connection.
Info
Only one FTP connection can be configured for a form.

To set up FTP connection in Zoho People:
  1. From your home page, go to Settings > View all > Marketplace > FTP Connection.
  2. To set up FTP connection, click Configure.




  3. In the FTP Connection Details section, select the protocol type as FTP or SFTP.
    Info
    SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) provides an encrypted connection for file transfers. When SFTP is selected, choose one of the following authentication methods:

    - Password: Authenticate using a username and password.

    - SSH key: Authenticate using username and SSH keys.
  4. Enter your server host name, port number, user name and password, and click Next.



  5. In the FTP Configuration section, select the Form from which the data must be synchronized to your FTP server.
  6. In the Import fields template file, upload a CSV file with field names listed column-wise.
    Idea
    Upload the CSV file with FTP field names that are to be mapped with the corresponding Zoho People field names column-wise. The synchronised data will display in the specified order.

  7. Specify the File Path of your server where you would like to store and synchronize the Form data.
    Idea
    The file will be saved in the format "Form Name_YYYY_MM_DD.csv" in the specified file path.
  8. Set the synchronization schedule. The data will be synchronized daily at the specified time.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Map the field names defined in your CSV file with the corresponding Zoho People field names.



  11. Once you have mapped all the fields, Click Submit.
    The form data will be synchronized according to the mapped data and updated on your server daily at the scheduled time.

FTP Connection Sync Status

To check your FTP connection syncronization status:
  1. Go to Settings > View All > Marketplace > FTP Connection, click Sync Status.
  2. Use the period dropdown to view the sync status for the Current month, Last month or a Custom period.

Synchronization Log Details

  1. View the time of action, sync start time and completion time.
  2. View synchronized record count.
  3. View synchronization error message for failed synchronizations.
  4. View the last synced time and next sync scheduled time at the top right corner.

Delete FTP Connection

To delete FTP Connection:
  1. Go to Settings > View All > Marketplace > FTP Connection.
  2. Hover over the FTP configuration and click Delete icon.
  3. Click Confirm.
    Info
    The FTP configuration will be deleted and data synchronization will be stopped.