# GFT file exchange onboarding process
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/carbon-calculator-china/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/gft-tutorial/index.md

This tutorial explains the steps to onboard customers on the Mastercard Global File Transfer System (GFT) file exchange.

## Prerequisites {#prerequisites}

* The issuer must onboard as a Mastercard customer on Mastercard Connect™.
* The issuer must be an existing customer of GFT and NGFT.
* The Global Business Services Center (GBSC) onboarding team governs the flow to onboard a company to Mastercard Connect depending on the type of customer.
* The issuers must provide their Interbank Card Association (ICA) number, [endpoints](https://developer.mastercard.com/carbon-calculator-china/documentation/terminologies/index.md#endpoint), and endpoint type.
* The issuers must create a new project in Mastercard Developers.   

## Overview {#overview}

* File transfer is the process of exchanging one or more files over a computer network, using a predetermined protocol (formal set of rules, conventions, and data structures).
* The Mastercard Global File Transfer System (GFT) is the name given to the Mastercard infrastructure that manages the exchange of files between Mastercard and its customers (acquirers, issuers, processors, business partners, and vendors).
* The Global File Transfer System provides:
  * Support for multiple file transfer methods
  * Centralized management of file exchange. Customers need only connect to one point to exchange files with all Mastercard applications
  * Endpoints, destination points for customer files (similar in concept to mailbox addresses)
  * In most cases, customers can send files using their own naming conventions
  * Transmission status reporting (success or failure)
  * Secure transmission of data

### What you will learn {#what-you-will-learn}

* About file transfer mechanisms
* About endpoints and bulk types and files
* About Bulk file naming conventions
* About Mastercard processing environments

## The GFT file exchange process {#the-gft-file-exchange-process}

Refer to the [File Transfer Manual](https://trc-techresource.mastercard.com/r/bundle/m_fb_en-us/page/d/en-US/jfv1723730939965.html) available on the Technical Resource Center (TRC) through Mastercard Connect for details on the process.