SureDeliver® - Frequently Asked Questions



What problems does SureDeliver® solve?
SureDeliver® performs automated, encrypted, authenticated, and reliable file transfers, without requiring dedicated VPN solutions (can be used over a public Internet to provide highly secure data transfers). For example,

  • financial/accounts data collection at main office from multiple franchise or branch offices
  • public health data reporting
  • collection of enrollment information (e.g., in a group of schools within a university) at the university
  • collection of sales information at a large distributor from its local dealers
  • synchronizing data between offices at multiple locations
  • distributing "master" files from main office to multiple branch offices
  • collecting statistical data at central location from several data collection sites
  • backing up data to a remote site

What are the common usage scenarios of SureDeliver® ?
SureDeliver® can be used in several ways. Common usage scenarios are described here.

How does SureDeliver® help with Financial Data Reporting?
SureDeliver® provides a very high level of security for data, while allowing businesses to use the public Internet for data transfers. The security is provided at several levels - strong encryption of the data, encrypted and authenticated transport (2-way SSL), audit logging, and strong access control to end-points and for administration. Many industry profiles are provided - SOAP, HTTP+MIME, ebXML, Web-Services Reliable Messaging (WSRM), SMIME, IHE XDR, NHIN Direct, etc., for interoperability, security and reliability of file transfers.

How does SureDeliver® help in Healthcare?
SureDeliver® provides Healthcare providers a way to connect to Healthcare Payers (Health-plans) or Clearinghouses for eligibility/benefit processing in a CAQH CORE compliant manner. SureDeliver™ provides a way to perform Public Health Reporting in a CDC PHIN compliant manner. By implementing multiple types of open standards such as SMIME, SOAP+WSDL, HTTP+MIME, Web-Services Reliable Messaging, SureDeliver® can support various data transfer workflows that are needed by Health Information Exchanges. Due to its high degree of security, it is ideal for use in Healthcare where information transferred can be sensitive.

How does SureDeliver® help with Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) and the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN)?
SureDeliver® implements NHIN Exchange and NHIN Direct standards, CDC PHIN Standards and CAQH CORE Connectivity Operating Rule. Due to its high degree of security, it is ideal for use in Healthcare where information transferred is typically of a highly sensitive nature.

How does SureDeliver® help with Healthcare Eligibility/Benefits transactions?
SureDeliver® implements the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH)'s CORE Phase II Connectivity and Security Rule. This rule is based on the use of SOAP+WSDL or HTTP+MIME envelopes for Real-time and Batch transactions between Healthcare Providers and Healthcare Payers. By providing out-of-the-box support for CORE Phase II Connectivity Rule, SureDeliver® supports healthcare eligibility and benefits transactions.

How does SureDeliver® help with Public Health Reporting?
SureDeliver® implements the CDC PHIN compliant interfaces, hence it can be used to send secure and reliable messages to public health entities across the US that have CDC's PHIN Messaging System. By providing strong security (2-way SSL/TLS and XML Encryption for data), SureDeliver® secures sensitive healthcare related information in transit across the public Internet.

How is SureDeliver® different from File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
FTP is a file transfer protocol that can be used for sending/receiving files. However it does not provide security (e.g., encryption and two-way authentication) or reliability (e.g., once and only once delivery) features. Also, FTP is primarily intended for manual uploads/downloads of data. SureDeliver® is intended for automated, encrypted, authenticated, and reliable file transfers.

How is SureDeliver® different from Email?
Email provides an easy method for transfering files or data, but this mode of file transfers does not provide security (e.g., encryption and two-way authentication) or reliability (e.g., once and only once delivery) features. Also, Email is intended for manual sending of data. SureDeliver® is intended for automated, encrypted, authenticated, and reliable file transfers.

How is SureDeliver® different from Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions?
VPN solutions are typically used to provide encrypted channels over public networks for the purpose of supporting user sessions over such channels. VPN solutions are typically not geared towards automated B2B file transfers across public networks.

What hardware is needed to run SureDeliver®?
To run SureDeliver®Outbound node:
Any hardware with minimum 256M physical memory can be dedicated to SureDeliver® Outbound node.
To run SureDeliver®Inbound node:
Hardware environment with minimum 512M physical memory dedicated to SureDeliver® Inbound node is recommended.

What software needs to be purchased to run SureDeliver®?
To run SureDeliver® outbound node or inbound node, there is no additional software required other than the operating systems supported by SureDeliver™.

What are the rest of the systems requirements (specifications) for running SureDeliver®?
Operating systems: Windows 2000, Windows 2000 server, Windows XP, Windows 2003 server, Redhat linux Enterprise Version 3 and above, Solaris 10 Sparc.
Physical memory: 512M

How much Systems Expertise is needed to install SureDeliver®?
End users with basic skills (file system, folders and Web Browsers) of a target operating system can install SureDeliver™ software.

Does SureDeliver® need to be monitored by someone constantly?
No. SureDeliver® automatically retries and re-schedules message delivery based on conditions of your network connectivity. It has extensive alerting and reporting capabilities built-in, hence it reduces the need for manual inspection. A weekly review of message inbound or outbound queues is recommended in case of long lasting or other unrecoverable network connectivity failures.

Can someone open and view the messages going through SureDeliver®?
SureDeliver encrypted messages cannot be opened by unauthorized users over a network. For authorized administrators, you have the option to configure the system to either enable or disable the viewing options. The "View Message" button is active to enable viewing capability only if configured for such viewing, and only for the authorized person with passwords for the system. Encrypted data sent using SureDeliver® is not viewable in plaintext form to intermediaries in a network.

Can the SureDeliver® system be administered remotely over a network?
Yes, the SureDeliver® system has a web-based user-interface and can be logged into remotely with the user's password. Additional access control options are available from ManageSecure® [visit www.ManageSecure.net]

How long does it take to setup SureDeliver® ?
Basic installation, setup and testing of SureDeliver® can be done within 30 minutes. SureDeliver has graphical support for installation and configuration that makes this simple. For setting up SureDeliver such that secure messaging can be conducted over the Internet, firewalls/DMZs need to be setup, certificates need to be installed etc., which could take time depending on the organization that is installing these components.

How can we learn more about SureDeliver® including pricing information, custom applications, etc?
Contact Info@SureDeliver.com or Info@BNETAL.com. Be sure to include your name, company name, title and contact information.