Case Study: H&M secures large-file photo sharing for 250,000 users with Progress WS_FTP

H&M Software Supports Secure Photo Sharing for 250,000 Users with WS_FTP

H&M Software, maker of the StudioLine photo-management suite used by roughly 250,000 photographers, faced a growing problem: high‑resolution images were too large for email and their IIS FTP setup could not integrate with the company’s SQL registration and billing systems, enforce quotas, or create user home folders “just in time.” They needed a secure, scalable file-transfer solution that would tie into their database, support large files, and enable usage‑based billing for professional users.

H&M deployed WS_FTP Server with SSH for ODBC-based SQL integration, strong transport and file security (including 256‑bit encryption and integrity checks), and automation for account/quota management (custom SITE commands and per‑folder quotas). The result: secure hosting of 250,000 complimentary accounts, smoother integration of StudioLine web galleries and the new DigitalXpress feature, broader user adoption, and a clear path to offer paid quota upgrades tied to their billing system.

H&M

Andy Schmidt

Director of Technology