A transfer client system exchanges files with a transfer server over an open network such as the Internet. The transfer client comprises a download directory for storing binary objects obtained from a transfer client server for subsequent retrieval by a local data processing system. The transfer client sends a log-on message to a remote transfer server over the open network, the log-on message including the authentication credentials. In response a session ID is obtained from the remote transfer server. The transfer client further sends a read event message to the remote transfer server over the open network, the read event message including the session ID. Event parameters are returned in response, the event parameters comprise identification of a file name and identification of the download directory. The transfer client sends a download message to the remote transfer server over the open network, the download message comprises the session ID and identification of a binary object. A message containing the binary object is returned in response to the file download message and the binary object is stored as a file in the download directory with the file name.