Bank payment file to the database
Every morning, new payment CSVs are read from the bank's folder, checked, loaded and archived; bad rows go to finance.
Files & transfersConnector
SFTP integration
for city payment, billing and vendor files
SFTP is still how many banks, payment vendors, AMI systems and state agencies exchange files with cities. Finance and utility staff often download, rename and upload these files by hand every day.
Pre-built connector
SFTP server
- Tier
- Pre-built connector
- Category
- Files & transfers
- Sign-in
- SFTP password or private key, host key pinned
- Paging
- single response
- Sandbox
- Yes: practice with made-up data
§ Overview
What connecting SFTP does.
SentraBridge reads and writes files on SFTP servers: CSV, JSON, JSON Lines, XML, fixed-width, ACH and BAI2. Flows pick up new files, check every row, load them into the right system and archive the file. File contents pass through memory only.
- Files in: Read CSV, JSON, JSON Lines, XML, fixed-width, ACH and BAI2 files as records.
- Files out: Write files in the receiving system's layout, including positive pay.
- New files: Start or filter on files new since the last run; archive when done.
What SentraBridge can do with SFTP server
| resource | read | write | changes only | fields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Files | CSV, JSON, JSON Lines, XML, fixed-width, ACH, BAI2, GeoJSON, Shapefile | write files (including positive pay), transfer documents | yes (new files) | Columns from the file |
§ Use cases
What cities connect SFTP for.
Positive pay from Munis
Every weekday afternoon, AP checks issued in Munis are written as the bank's positive pay file to the outbox.
Paymentus file to utility billing
The daily Paymentus file is read, accepted payments checked against accounts and posted.
AMI reads to billing
The Neptune 360 export is read each morning and suspicious reads go to the meter team.
Nightly 311 export
Yesterday's changed 311 requests are written as a dated CSV for another system to pick up.
§ Examples
Flows that use SFTP server.
SFTP server → Utility billing (CIS)
Meter reads from AMI to utility billing with zero-read check
Every morning, reads the Neptune 360 export from the SFTP folder. Reads that look wrong (35 days with no flow, a skipped read or a read error) go to…
SFTP server → PostgreSQL / PostGISLoad the bank's daily payment file into the city database
Every morning, reads new payment CSV files from the bank's SFTP folder, cleans and checks them, loads them into a database table, and archives the…
Tyler Enterprise ERP (Munis) → SFTP serverMunis paid checks to the bank positive pay file
Every weekday afternoon, reads the AP checks Munis issued and writes the bank's positive pay file to the SFTP outbox, so the bank only clears checks…
§ How it works
How to connect SFTP
- 01Get accessCreate an SFTP account for SentraBridge, limited to the folders flows use.
- 02Add the connectionUse a private key, or a password if the server requires it.
- 03Preview real recordsEnter host, port and folders for inbox, outbox and archive.
- 04Turn it onFor internal servers, run the relay inside the network.
§ Often connected with
SFTP and the rest of city hall.
Systems cities commonly connect with SFTP, each with its own connector page.
§ FAQ
SFTP integration questions
Can SentraBridge read bank BAI2 and ACH files?
Yes. File steps read BAI2 and ACH, as well as CSV, fixed-width and XML, and write files such as positive pay.
How do we automate a daily SFTP file?
Schedule a flow to read new files in a folder, check rows, write them to the target system, and archive the file. Bad rows can be emailed as a CSV.
Is the file kept anywhere?
No. Files are read into memory, processed and released. Run history keeps file names, counts and timings.
Connect SFTP server to the rest.
We'll set up a workspace with your systems in a sandbox and build your first flow with you.