Case Study: Northwestern University achieves secure, automated campus-wide file transfers with Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT

Northwestern University Funnels Secure File Transfers Through GoAnywhere

Northwestern University, a major U.S. research university, faced a critical IT challenge when its legacy Solaris server and decade-old custom scripts for file transfers were dropped from support. The team needed a simpler, standardized solution with better reporting, stronger encryption, and fewer operational costs and complexities than heavyweight enterprise offerings, while still supporting dozens of ongoing FTP projects and sensitive data flows across the campus.

They implemented GoAnywhere MFT (by Linoma/HelpSystems) on a new Linux server, replacing custom scripts with workflow-driven, template-based transfers that use AES-256 encryption, automated retries, database connectivity, and file format translation. The result: faster, repeatable job setup, campus-wide secure transfers (examples include automated parking access integration), improved compliance and auditability, and positive support and user satisfaction.

Northwestern University

Ron Blitz

Senior Systems Administrator