Group Logic, the firm behind file transfer software Mass Transit, and its European distributor 2Di have dismissed the need for managed file transfer services.


They claim that a more robust internet infrastructure makes such services an expensive overhead to file transfer.


The world is saying the internet backbone is reliable enough, said 2Di chief executive Mike Simmonds (pictured), who quit his role as chief executive of Vio in December 1999.


The concepts behind Vio and WAM!NET were born in the mid 90s when they were needed the world has moved on.


A private network is like running your own airline, said Group Logic president Reid Lewis. Economics favours the internet.


Publishers are not so sure of the reliability of the internet for file transfer or the cost implications of bringing in the necessary skills to manage the process in-house.Im sceptical about how it would work, said IPC Media manufacturing director Jasper Scott.


Its more viable now but its not something Id rely on, said Haymarket IT support manager Simon Turner.


2Di claimed it was close to signing several significant orders from ex-Vio users for its software.


Mid-May is decision time, said director sales and marketing Rick Coope. The past four weeks have been incredibly busy. 80% of Vio users including major publishers and printers have been in touch.


Mass Transit is being offered in a Vio-ised version for the UK market, based on feedback from users who liked the functions, especially the receiving sites ability to control file download.


With its integration of file transfer into the workflow, and in the next version into MIS, 2Di sees its use as a complement to managed services as much as a replacement.


Story by Barney Cox