Nationwide Supermarket Chain Replaces Legacy System with CompleteFTP

By deploying CompleteFTP in thousands of branches, this major retailer streamlined secure data transfers, cut licensing costs, and simplified infrastructure across its entire network.

Major Supermarket Chain Streamlines Branch Communications Using CompleteFTP

Large supermarket chains face significant logistical and technical challenges when coordinating secure, efficient data transfers between headquarters and thousands of branch locations. Managing this at scale requires a solution that is both flexible and cost-effective, without compromising on reliability or security.

One such chain addressed these challenges by deploying CompleteFTP in every branch location.

The Challenge – Reducing Costs and Complexity

The company had been using a Java-based enterprise system to handle branch communication, but escalating license fees and a complex architecture made the system increasingly unsustainable. They sought a simpler solution based on standard technologies, while still maintaining tight control over data flows.

Previously reliant on an HTTP API-based architecture, the company was looking to simplify and harden its infrastructure. The team also needed the ability to customise the solution extensively to fit existing business processes.

The Solution – CompleteFTP in Every Branch

CompleteFTP was installed in thousands of branch locations, with SFTP clients at headquarters responsible for pushing updates and instructions to each branch, and polling for branch-generated data in return.

Critical capabilities that made CompleteFTP the right choice included:

  • Advanced scripting and automation that allowed the team to implement tailored workflows;
  • Virtual file systems that provided a unified, logical structure across all branches;
  • Custom virtual file systems, supporting dynamic and streamlined data handling without reliance on physical file operations.

By moving away from HTTP-based transfers to an SFTP-driven architecture, the company achieved a more robust, secure, and maintainable system that has remained reliable for years.

Internal Use – Reverse Proxy and High Availability

In addition to the branch deployment, the company also uses a separate internal installation of CompleteFTP as a secure reverse proxy. This allows SFTP clients within protected internal networks to access external servers securely.

This system is deployed in a redundant clustered configuration, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance — essential for around-the-clock operations.

A Scalable, Reliable, and Cost-Effective Solution

“CompleteFTP enabled us to simplify our architecture and eliminate expensive licensing costs. Its powerful scripting and customisation options meant we could build exactly what we needed.”

“Support from EnterpriseDT has been consistently responsive and effective. CompleteFTP is now a critical part of our infrastructure and has proven itself to be both stable and scalable.”