Automated File Feeds

Automated File Feeds: Data Onboarding for Recurring Partner File Workflows

Automate data onboarding by capturing, validating, mapping, and delivering structured partner data - without custom ETL pipelines.

Automated File Feeds is a purpose-built automation layer for recurring partner file integration, replacing manual SFTP scripts and fragile CSV workflows with reliable validation, schema control, and structured data delivery.

Automated File Processing Workflow

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STEP 1 – Set Up Clients

Create a Client to provision a dedicated, secure SFTP space and credentials for each data source, designed for recurring partner data and SFTP file automation.

  • AWS-hosted SFTP (managed)
  • Per-client folders and credentials
  • IP allow-listing
STEP 1 – Set Up Clients
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STEP 2 – Define a Schema

Model the dataset you expect (fields, types, required, formats) using JSON Schema. This enables structured data mapping and schema control across recurring file feeds.

  • String, number, date, enum
  • Required and format checks
  • Reusable versions
STEP 2 – Define a Schema
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STEP 3 – Create a Pipeline

Connect a Client + Schema and add field mappings, transforms, and CSV options. Configure automated file processing rules and validation automation to ensure consistent handling of recurring file feeds.

  • Field mappings (source -> target)
  • Transform functions
  • CSV options (delimiter, skip header)
STEP 3 – Create a Pipeline
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STEP 4 – Register a Webhook

Receive signed events when files are received, processed, reprocessed, or fail. Connect SFTP sources or file-based integrations for automated ingestion, and use webhooks to stay in sync with every stage of the automated file processing lifecycle.

  • Events: FILE_RECEIVED, FILE_PROCESSED, FILE_REPROCESSED, FILE_PROCESSING_FAILED
  • HMAC signature headers
  • Retry-aware delivery with logging
STEP 4 – Register a Webhook
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STEP 5 – Client Uploads Files

Clients upload to their SFTP folder manually or via scheduled exports from their systems. Files are automatically picked up, where validation automation and mapping logic are applied before structured delivery.

  • SFTP put employees.csv
  • Scheduled nightly exports
  • Automatic pickup
STEP 5 – Client Uploads Files
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STEP 6 – Monitor Pipeline Runs & Search Through Files

Track run status, search files, and download original or processed files. Maintain data validation automation across recurring file workflows by continuously monitoring execution states and handling errors in real time.

  • Statuses: pending -> processing -> completed / failed / acknowledged
  • Full-text document search (query by any word)
  • GET /pipeline-runs
  • Presigned downloads for originals / processed
STEP 6 – Monitor Pipeline Runs & Search Through Files
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STEP 7 – Handle Processed Data

Process data in your backend using webhooks + REST API to fetch full JSON. Deliver structured partner data to your destination endpoints after validation and transformation are complete.

  • GET /files/pipeline-runs/:id
  • GET /files/json?clientName&fileName&pipelineId
  • PATCH /pipeline-runs/:id/status -> acknowledged
STEP 7 – Handle Processed Data

How Automated Data Onboarding Works for Recurring File Feeds

Automated File Feeds streamline data onboarding by providing a structured approach to handle recurring file feeds. It's more than just a file import tool; it's a complete system designed for consistent data integration. Automate your complex data workflows without building custom ETL pipelines.

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File Ingestion Layer: SFTP and File-Based Data Collection

The file ingestion layer supports SFTP and file-based data collection, providing a secure and reliable mechanism to ingest data from various sources. Data is collected and prepared for the subsequent validation and transformation processes. This ensures compatibility with existing systems.

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Validation Layer: Rules, Schema Enforcement & Validation Automation

The validation layer enforces data quality by employing validation automation. Rules are applied to check for errors and inconsistencies, ensuring data compliance and adherence to predefined schemas. This layer safeguards your data from format issues and incorrect data types.

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Mapping Layer: Structured Data Mapping and Transformations

This layer transforms data into a structured format that aligns with your business requirements. Complex data mapping and transformations are handled with ease, allowing you to transform raw data into valuable insights. Apply transformations and ensure consistency.

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Delivery Layer: Endpoint Routing and Structured Output

The delivery layer ensures that the processed data is delivered to the correct endpoints in a structured format. Configure endpoint routing to deliver the transformed data to your databases or other systems, ensuring seamless data integration. Data is delivered efficiently.

Challenges in Data Onboarding Today

Manual SFTP Monitoring and File Tracking

Data and operations teams face significant challenges with manual SFTP monitoring, requiring constant vigilance to ensure files arrive correctly. Automate this process to eliminate manual checks and free up valuable resources. This reduces the risk of data loss or delays and streamlines data onboarding processes.

Broken CSV Formats and Inconsistent Headers

Broken file formats and inconsistent headers often lead to data integration errors. Data validation becomes complex when dealing with variable CSV structures. Automated File Feeds offer a robust solution to clean and standardize incoming files, ensuring data compliance and reliable data processing.

Schema Drift in Recurring Partner Feeds

Schema drift in recurring partner feeds is a common issue that can break data pipelines. The ability to handle schema changes without disrupting the data flow is crucial. Automated file feeds provide the flexibility to adapt to evolving data structures, ensuring continuous data integration.

Fragile Cron Jobs and Custom Scripts

Fragile cron jobs and custom scripts are prone to failure, leading to inconsistent data imports and increased maintenance overhead. Replace these unreliable solutions with robust, automated file feeds for reliable and scalable data onboarding. Ensure continuous data delivery and minimize downtime.

Recurring Automation vs One-Time CSV Uploads

Limitations of Manual One-Time CSV Imports

Manual one-time CSV imports are suitable for ad-hoc data loading but lack the automation required for recurring data feeds. These processes require constant user intervention, limiting scalability. For recurring data feeds, consider automated file processing for consistent data integration.

When to Use an Embeddable CSV Importer

The Embeddable CSV Importer is designed for developer teams building onboarding flows for user-driven, one-time uploads. It’s a free product that provides an easy way to import data from spreadsheets directly into your application. Perfect for handling occasional data onboarding needs.

Why Recurring Automated File Processing Scales Better

Automated File Feeds are designed for companies managing recurring partner or customer data feeds. These systems provide automated, recurring ingestion workflows, ensuring consistent data delivery without manual intervention. This ensures reliable data processing, leading to faster time-to-insight for your business.

Technical Differentiation

Not a Generic ETL Platform

Automated File Feeds are not a generic ETL platform but rather a specialized solution focused on recurring file-based data onboarding. Unlike general-purpose ETL tools, this system is designed to handle the unique challenges of partner file integration, ensuring data is processed with precision and speed, helping teams to easily automate data import.

Not a Low-Code Workflow Automation Tool

This is not a low-code workflow automation tool. While workflow tools offer broad automation capabilities, Automated File Feeds is laser-focused on automating file-based data onboarding. This focus allows for deeper optimization and built-in features specific to data integration, such as robust validation and transformation capabilities ensuring data integration compliance.

Purpose-Built for File-Based Data Onboarding

Automated File Feeds provide a recurring ingestion automation platform that captures, validates, transforms, and delivers structured data from files and SFTP sources. This platform handles complex data requirements and handles schema changes without breaking your pipelines. Ensure data quality and compliance by setting up data validation automation and building a reliable data infrastructure with SFTP automation.

Use Case Scenarios for Automated File Feeds

Recurring HRIS Partner Feeds

Automated File Feeds streamlines recurring HRIS partner feeds by automating the data onboarding process. Data is captured, transformed, validated, and delivered to your HR systems without manual intervention. This approach ensures data accuracy and consistency, improving overall HR data quality.

Financial Reconciliation Data Feeds

This data integration solution simplifies financial reconciliation data feeds by automating data import and validation. Improve accuracy by implementing structured data transformation and standardization processes. With built-in error handling and compliance checks, this system reduces risks associated with financial data.

Marketplace Vendor File Ingestion

Automated file processing ensures consistent data quality for marketplace vendor file ingestion, streamlining operations and minimizing manual effort. Automate data integration and remove the need to validate data through manual processes. The platform provides easy file and structured data delivery.

Partner Reporting Pipelines

Automated File Feeds provide reliable data integration for partner reporting pipelines. Automate data onboarding without the need to build custom pipelines. Transform and structure raw data into actionable insights, and improve decision-making with automated data processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is data onboarding?

Data onboarding is the process of integrating data from various sources into a unified system. This often involves validating data types, cleaning formats, and ensuring compliance with predefined schemas. Effective data onboarding is critical for maintaining data quality and enabling accurate analytics and reporting for your business.

How is this different from ETL tools?

While ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tools offer broad data integration capabilities, Automated File Feeds specializes in file-based data onboarding. Unlike generic ETL platforms, this solution is designed to handle the unique challenges of recurring file-based data integration, offering more targeted and efficient data processing workflows. The goal is to automatically validate and transform data.

Can I automate SFTP file ingestion?

Yes, Automated File Feeds provides SFTP file automation. This system allows you to automatically capture and process files from SFTP servers, streamlining data onboarding and reducing the need for manual intervention. Automating SFTP file ingestion simplifies complex data workflows, making it faster to manage data files.

How is this different from running my own SFTP + cron jobs?

FileFeed hosts and isolates SFTP per client, validates every CSV, applies mappings/transforms, and notifies you via webhooks. You skip server upkeep, cron drift, and brittle parsing code.

Can I keep my own SFTP and still use FileFeed?

Yes. You can connect your existing SFTP or use our managed SFTP. Either way, the same validation and delivery pipeline runs.

What if partner files change headers or formats?

Schema validation catches drift, mappings normalize headers, and you can version schemas without breaking existing pipelines.

How do I get the processed data?

Receive webhook events (e.g., FILE_PROCESSED) and fetch JSON via REST, or pull presigned downloads of originals and processed files.

Is this a Flatfile or OneSchema alternative for recurring feeds?

Yes. FileFeed focuses on recurring SFTP/email file feeds with managed hosting, schema validation, and automation out of the box.

Next Steps

Ready to automate your data onboarding? Get started today.

Book a Demo Today

Schedule a demo to see how Automated File Feeds can automate your data onboarding processes. Our team will walk you through the system and show you how to set it up for your specific data integration needs. The demonstration will show you how easy it is to automate complex data processing pipelines.

Talk to a Data Engineer

Speak with our data engineers to explore how Automated File Feeds can address your specific data onboarding challenges. Our team can provide expert guidance and help you design a solution tailored to your unique requirements. Get the information you require to integrate our data validation automation product into your current system.

See How It Replaces Your Scripts

Discover how Automated File Feeds replaces fragile scripts with a reliable infrastructure for file-based data onboarding. By automating file feeds, you are setting up a more streamlined workflow. See first-hand how our solution simplifies data integration and enhances data quality, enabling your business to operate faster.

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