IBM® Sterling Connect Direct provides secure-hardened point-to-point file transfer to reduce dependency on unreliable File Transfer Protocols (FTP). It is optimized to deliver large volumes of files within and between enterprises. This solution allows for more reliable file movement, including batch integration and the movement of large images and catalogs. It also allows for synchronization with remote locations. Sterling Connect:Direct supports hybrid cloud deployment via certified containers, which allows for easy and consistent deployment life cycle management. IBM Certified Containers for Sterling Connect are enterprise-grade, security rich product editions that include integrated common software services. They allow for consistent deployment life cycle management, including easy installation and configure options, management and roll-back of upgrades, scalability, security, and scaleability. Supports a wide variety of platforms, including IBM z/OS and OpenVMS, i5/OS. HP NonStop, Microsoft Windows, UNIX, and Linux.