Thanks to both of you for the input on this issue. I think the options you propose are probably viable though we have gone a different direction.
We have found that when using the ExternalSystemServlet as specified in the Help Documentation for an HTTP type External System XML outbound communication, we run into a problem in the Oracle code. This is the error from the Tomcat logs oin the OTM Web Server:
---
java.io.FileNotFoundException: <Transmission xmlns="http:\xmlns.oracle.com\apps\otm">[Remainder of XML Text Omitted]<\Transmission>
(The system cannot find the path specified)
at java.io.FileInputStream.open(Ljava.lang.String

V( Native Method)
at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.jav a:106)
at java.io.FileInputStream.<init>(FileInputStream.jav a:66)
at glog.util.ftp.client.FTPClientFactory.putFile(FTPC lientFactory.java:86)
at glog.util.ftp.FTPClientWrapper.putString(FTPClient Wrapper.java:30)
at glog.integration.servlet.ExternalSystemHelper.proc ess(ExternalSystemHelper.java:91)
at glog.integration.servlet.ExternalSystemServlet.doP ost(ExternalSystemServlet.java:46)
---
As you can see the ExternalSystemHelper.process method makes a call to the FTPClientFactory.putFile method with the sixth parameter being a String with the XML text, not a path to an XML file. This gets passed through to the FTPClientFactory which tries to construct a FileInputStream, but the localFileName parameter has the XML text instead of a file name which results in the IO problem:
ftpClient.putFile(remoteFileName, new FileInputStream(localFileName));
The end result is that an FTP session is established, changing to binary etc., but failing with this exception when trying to execute the PUT command. It is possible that there is some change in parameters or setup of a property file that would get this working, but as I mentioned we have gone a different direction.
I created a simple Servlet class that will handle a post, and drop a file in the folder you specify. It does not use the Web Server or FTP, but instead keeps everything on the Application server which radically simplifies the process. Otherwise it is configured as an External System the same way and works great.
I've included the source (attached) which contains additional configuration instructions. Consider it Open Source.
Enjoy.
Matt Kenney