You can choose a single transport protocol for exchanging documents with Business Exchange Services Internet transfer, even though multiple protocols can be defined to the service. When choosing a transport, consider the following:

• Does the transport meet your trading requirements?
• Does the transport meet your organization's security policies?
• Does your system support your preferred transport?

• You want a batch, asynchronous type of communication. (With SMTP, the data arrives through SMTP servers connecting your site and GXS.)
• You have an EDIINT AS1 certified software application. (AS1 certified clients support digital signatures and non-repudiation, and most can integrate easily with your back-end systems.)
• You know your file sizes are within the limits of your e-mail system.

Consider using HTTP if:

• You want an interactive, synchronous type of communication. (With HTTP, the data arrives instantly.)
• You want a client (for example, Cyclone Interchange Solo) that can be set up quickly, supports digital signatures and non-repudiation, and can integrate with your back-end systems.
• You have an EDIINT AS2 certified software application.
• You are working with large files.
• You have a persistent connection to the Internet

Consider using HTTPS if:

• You want all the benefits of HTTP, plus an additional layer of security. Utilizing HTTP over Secure Socket Layers (SSL) provides additional security by securing the connection; however, the offset is reduced performance and throughput due to an additional layer of encryption.

Consider using FTP/S if:

• You want a batch, asynchronous type of communication that is faster than SMTP.
• You want a low-cost client or already have one of the supported clients.
• You are working with large files.
• You do not have a persistent connection to the Internet.