Pros
An SFTP process that we used to do by hand now happens automatically 24 hours a day. If an error occurs it retries automatically.
Robo-FTP saved us thousands $ if you consider the developer time saved not writing a custom solution from scratch.
Cons
This is a tool for people who already know how to program a computer or at least how to write a script. If you are looking for an easy graphical FTP program to update your recipe web site this software isn't for you.
Summary
This is a niche product to automate jobs that need to run 24x7 or are just too tedious to do manually.
There are other configurable FTP clients out there but this one is downright programmable. The scripting language is easy to learn (compared to a real programming language) but if you don't think you could manage learn how to write an Excel macro then you probably won't have success with this program. It does have a wizard to help you write scripts but I didn't try that. In any case it has a free 30 day trial so you can figure out if it is not for you before you buy it.
The main user interface is about as warm and welcoming as a C:\ prompt in a DOS box. Like any programming environment it is hard and frustrating at first but rewarding if you stick with it long enough to figure out what to do. You mileage may vary.
The tool I ended up using most was the "Robo-EDIT" script editor. It has F1 help and keyword highlighting to help you avoid syntax errors but it doesn't have IntelliSense auto-complete like Visual Studio. So you write the script logic in the script editor, execute it in the main interface, then debug it by looking at the log files. I figured out this cycle I was golden.
The cost of the software was high compared to other FTP clients but really this is a development tool more than an FTP client. The expense was easily justified though. It saved money compared to the number of developer hours saved by not writing custom software from scratch. Also, once your scripts are installed as a service the IT guys can maintain it instead of developers.
ps: the help file is huge; it would probably use a full ream of paper if you printed it.
Pros
flexible and afforable.
Cons
Didn't do the job I needed and they refused a refund.
Summary
Use something else.
Pros
I had 18 hours to find, validate, and recommend a cost-effective, secure, scriptable ftp client. After discarding several that didn't measure up to their claims, I stopped on Robo-FTP. As an independent consultant, my business depends on my word - and Robo-FTP is my recommended solution! The scripting does take a little getting use to (see below), but the combination of the tutorials and the help file allowed me to get a production quality script up and running in less than two hours! Very good logging and error handling. Setting up for either unsecure, SSL, or SSH connections was intuitive and very easy. I setup scripts that are run from other programs, or from services, quickly and easily, without causing undue load on the Windows server.
Cons
It took me a few tries to realize how to setup a secure (SSH) script. The key is that I had to create the connection using the gui applet, then in the script issue the ftp logon to the name of my connection, not neccessarily the acutal host name. This may be an RTFM thing, but once I figured it out, I had no SFTP problems at all. (Some commands are disabled in SFTP mode, but that's well documented in the help.)
Pros
None of the so called bigger names I've looked at (WS_FTP, CuteFTP, etc.) can touch Robo when it comes to batch FTP. The script langage is very impressive. I got the phone support and it's awesome in this day and age to actually talk to someone for tech support when I have a question.
Cons
I don't like the blue background on the splash screen. joke! :)
Pros
Nice to be able to script all my ftping with this guy. It would certainly take my slow-coding self a bunch longer to do this straight from the ground up.
Cons
Took a little bit of time for me to get the hang of it, but I think it was worth it.
Pros
I have been waiting for an automated/scripted ftp client for some time. RoboFTP is a welcome surprise! It also provides great security and the RoboFTP support rocks!
Cons
The scripting language is very powerful. I was able to start making scripts quickly, but there is still a bunch more I need to learn to utilize all the Robo Scripting capability.
Pros
Easy to setup a script to automate file transfers. Good-bye DOS batch headaches!
Pros
I like the fact that I can create scripts with Robo-FTP's built-in script language and run the script as a service, so I can truly automate file transfers.
Cons
Although the script language is very easy to use, there was an initial learning curve to run a script successfully.
Pros
This is a great program if you want to do automatic ftp-scripts.
You have to know some basic programing commands (not so hard to learn).
The manual is great to over 300 pages.
Cons
dont like the set up, no information on if connected or not, no way see how to upload files
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