Arc

CData Arc is a visual workflow designer for managed file transfer (MFT) and electronic data interchange (EDI) integrations, aimed at enterprises that need to automate B2B data exchange with trading partners.

Reviewed by 7wData

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Publisher review

CData Arc is a visual workflow designer for managed file transfer (MFT) and electronic data interchange (EDI) integrations, aimed at enterprises that need to automate B2B data exchange with trading partners. It serves organizations ranging from mid-market to Fortune 500, with customers including BP, Oracle, BMW, Michelin, P&G, FedEx, UPS, Target, Tesla, and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The platform is designed for teams that want to build integrations in days rather than months, supporting any expertise level from self-service users to those requiring hands-on EDI workflow expertise from CData’s global support team.

The product combines a drag-and-drop visual designer with built-in support for X12, EDIFact, and HL7 FHIR EDI documents, plus sample integration flows so users don’t have to build EDI documents from scratch. It handles any file type (CSV, Excel, XML, etc.) and supports protocols including Drummond-Certified AS2, AS4, SFTP, and OFTP. Security features include FIPS-compliant encryption and compression, plus comprehensive audit trails for GDPR, PCI, and HIPAA compliance. Deployment options include SaaS, on-premises, and private cloud, with end-to-end visibility, reporting, and SLA management. The platform can also act as an S/FTP or AS2 server out of the box.

CData Arc was recognized in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools for the second consecutive year, advancing in both Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. Its primary competitors include IBM Sterling B2B Integrator, SAP Process Integration (PI)-Process Orchestration (PO), and BizTalk Server. Arc differentiates with predictable pricing (fixed cost per trading partner) and claims to slash operating costs for EDI by up to 90%, with customers reporting 40% year-over-year sales growth after implementation.

Honest trade-offs: the ArcScript language has a steep learning curve for complex logic, and there is no communication from the vendor when pricing changes. The platform does not support using Postgres functions to build out an API, limiting some developer-led customization. While the visual designer simplifies common flows, advanced users may find the script-based approach less flexible than coding directly in a general-purpose language. Pricing is via annual/multi-year contracts, not consumption-based, which can be a disadvantage for low-volume users.

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How it works

  1. Visual workflow designer

    Drag-and-drop interface to build MFT and EDI integrations in days, not months, with sample flows for X12, EDIFact, and HL7 FHIR.

  2. Multi-protocol file transfer

    Supports Drummond-Certified AS2, AS4, SFTP, and OFTP protocols, plus acts as an S/FTP or AS2 server out of the box.

  3. FIPS-compliant security

    Enterprise-grade encryption and compression meeting FIPS standards, with audit trails for GDPR, PCI, and HIPAA compliance.

  4. Flexible deployment models

    Deploy as SaaS, on-premises, or in private cloud with end-to-end visibility, reporting, and SLA management on transactions.

  5. Built-in EDI document support

    Native parsing and generation for X12, EDIFact, HL7 FHIR, and other EDI formats without building documents from scratch.

  6. Predictable per-partner pricing

    Fixed cost per trading partner, no consumption or row-based charges, with Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions.

  7. Cloud storage integration

    Connects to Azure Blob, AWS S3, SharePoint, and on-premises file systems for file movement and replication.

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

  • Supports any file type (CSV, Excel, XML) and any MFT protocol including Drummond-Certified AS2, AS4, SFTP, and OFTP.
  • Built-in support for X12, EDIFact, and HL7 FHIR EDI documents with sample integration flows reduces setup time.
  • Recognized in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools for the second consecutive year.
  • Predictable pricing with fixed cost per trading partner, no consumption or row-based charges, with Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions.

Trade-offs

  • ArcScript has a steep learning curve for complex logic beyond the visual designer.
  • Vendor does not communicate when pricing changes, leading to potential surprise cost increases.
  • Does not support using Postgres functions to build out an API, limiting some developer workflows.
  • Annual/multi-year contract model can be costly for low-volume users compared to consumption-based alternatives.

Pricing context

Annual/multi-year contract with Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions. Fixed cost per trading partner, no consumption or row-based charges.

Getting started with Arc

  1. Sign up for Arc

    Go to the CData Arc website and choose a plan (Standard, Professional, or Enterprise). Complete the registration form with your business email and organization details. Verify your email to activate the account.

  2. Connect trading partner credentials

    In the Arc dashboard, navigate to the Connections section. Add a new connection for each trading partner, selecting the protocol (AS2, SFTP, etc.) and entering their credentials, certificates, and endpoint URLs.

  3. Configure EDI document flows

    Use the drag-and-drop visual designer to create a workflow. Select a sample flow for X12, EDIFact, or HL7 FHIR, then map the data fields between your internal system and the EDI document structure.

  4. Test a file transfer

    Upload a sample CSV or XML file to the workflow input. Run the flow in test mode to verify the EDI document generation and transfer via the configured protocol. Check the audit trail for any errors.

  5. Schedule automated runs

    Set up a schedule for the workflow by defining a cron expression or interval (e.g., hourly, daily). Enable monitoring alerts to receive notifications on failed transfers or compliance breaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CData Arc and what does it do?

CData Arc is a visual workflow designer for managed file transfer and EDI integrations. It helps enterprises automate B2B data exchange with trading partners, supporting protocols like AS2 and SFTP, and formats like X12 and EDIFact.

How does CData Arc pricing work?

CData Arc uses a fixed cost per trading partner with annual or multi-year contracts. There are Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions. No consumption or row-based charges apply, which can be costly for low-volume users.

What EDI standards does CData Arc support?

CData Arc supports X12, EDIFact, and HL7 FHIR EDI documents natively. It includes sample integration flows so users don't have to build EDI documents from scratch, handling any file type like CSV, Excel, or XML.

What are the main alternatives to CData Arc?

Primary competitors include IBM Sterling B2B Integrator, SAP Process Integration-Process Orchestration, and BizTalk Server. CData Arc differentiates with predictable per-partner pricing and claims to slash EDI operating costs by up to 90%.

What are the weaknesses of CData Arc?

ArcScript has a steep learning curve for complex logic. The vendor does not communicate pricing changes. It lacks support for Postgres functions to build APIs. Annual contracts can be expensive for low-volume users compared to consumption-based models.

How is CData Arc deployed?

CData Arc offers SaaS, on-premises, and private cloud deployment. It provides end-to-end visibility, reporting, and SLA management on transactions. It can also act as an S/FTP or AS2 server out of the box.

Alternatives

How Arc compares

Direct head-to-head against 3 competitors. Picked by 7wData.

This tool

Arc

Pricing
Annual/multi-year contract with Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions. Fixed cost per trading partner, no consumption or row-based charges.
Target
CData Arc is a visual workflow designer for managed file transfer (MFT) and electronic data interchange (EDI) integrations, aimed at enterprises that need to automate
Strength
Supports any file type (CSV, Excel, XML) and any MFT protocol including Drummond-Certified AS2, AS4, SFTP, and OFTP.
Watch for
ArcScript has a steep learning curve for complex logic beyond the visual designer.

Zen Browser

Pricing
Free, open source
Target
Arc users seeking a free, open-source browser with vertical tabs and workspaces
Deployment
Desktop app (macOS, Windows, Linux)
Strength
Closest Arc-like experience: vertical tabs, workspaces, auto-archiving, and split view
Watch for
No built-in Arc import tool; must manually rebuild sidebar and Spaces

SigmaOS

Pricing
$20/month
Target
Mac users who want a keyboard-first browser with Arc-like command bar and Spaces
Deployment
Desktop app (macOS only)
Strength
Direct Arc import tool for Spaces, pinned tabs, and folders in 3 clicks
Watch for
Mac-only; $20/month subscription may feel steep for a browser

SupaSidebar

Pricing
Free beta (pricing TBD)
Target
Users who want Arc's sidebar, Spaces, and Command Bar in any browser without switching
Deployment
Browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.)
Strength
Recreates Arc's sidebar, Spaces, and Air Traffic Control across 25 browsers
Watch for
Beta product; may lack stability and long-term support of full browsers

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Sources

Reporting on this tool draws on these publicly available sources.

  1. arc.cdata.com
  2. arc.cdata.com
  3. www.cdata.com
  4. www.gartner.com