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

This tutorial explains the steps to onboard customers on Mastercard Next Gen File Transfer (NGFT) file exchange.

## Prerequisites {#prerequisites}

* The issuer (Company ID and User) must onboard as a Mastercard customer on Mastercard Connect™.
* The Global Business Services Center (GBSC) onboarding team governs the flow to onboard a company to Mastercard Connect depending on the type of customer.
* If the issuer is planning to exchange files using HTTP APIs, generate a CSR, and get Client DNs from the Key Management Portal (KMP). For example, CN=apptest-envMTF, OU=test-MTF, O=Mastercard - Test, DC=mastercard, DC=com.
* The issuers need to have an existing [logical address](https://developer.mastercard.com/carbon-calculator-china/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/ngft-tutorial/index.md) with their organization name in the alias part called [customer logical name](https://developer.mastercard.com/carbon-calculator-china/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/ngft-tutorial/index.md).
* The issuers must be able to order the **File Exchange** application on Mastercard Connect.
* The issuers must create a new project in Mastercard Developers.   

## Overview {#overview}

* File exchange happens with the help of the File Exchange application.
* Next Gen File Transfer (NGFT) is an application suite that manages file transfers for the Mastercard Enterprise.  
  File exchange 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).  
  NGFT includes file transfer between:
  * Mastercard applications
  * Mastercard applications and external entities. For example, franchise customers, business partners, and vendors (customers).
* The Mastercard File Transfer Service is the name given to the Mastercard infrastructure that manages the exchange of files between Mastercard and its business partners (acquirers, issuers, processors, customers, and vendors) or between Mastercard internal applications.
* The Mastercard business partners exchange at least one kind of file with Mastercard and therefore are required to complete the file transfer setup process. The data in these files can be of various types, such as data files, reports, and response files.
* File exchange from source to destination through the *File Transfer Service* involves two individual file transfers -
  * **Source to the File Transfer Service**: The source (originator) creates and sends a file to NGFT.
  * **File Transfer Service to Destination**: Based on an established configuration, the file transfer service routes the file to its destination or consumer.

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

* How to onboard customers to file exchange service
* How to create a file exchange setup
* How to exchange files using the file exchange setup

## The NGFT file exchange process {#the-ngft-file-exchange-process}

Refer to the [Mastercard File Exchange User Guide](https://trc-techresource.mastercard.com/r/bundle/m_fxusg_en-us/page/d/en-US/dju1721665512852.html) available on the Technical Resource Center (TRC) through Mastercard Connect for details on the process.