The Hotfolder function allows for the automatic processing of print data for recurring processes. The user is enabled to flexibly configure whether the import should only create a Production Job or rather be sent directly to the printer. Use Production Configurations to define the necessary steps that the Hotfolder should pass.

There are three processing methods available:

• Processing Files [2] –  various files stored in a shared folder are processed based on the selected Production Configuration. Depending on the selected Production Configuration, a Production Job is created or the processed file is sent directly to the printer.
• Processing Job Ticket [4] – Job tickets  i.e., JSON or XML files  stored in a shared folder are processed based on the selected Production Configuration, which is defined within the job ticket.
• Processing ZIP [5] – Various ZIP files stored in a shared folder are processed based on the selected Production Configuration.

All currently available Hotfolders are listed in Automation > Hotfolders. Check out whether the Hotfolders are currently running or are paused by checking the slider [3].

To start or pause a Hotfolder, simply toggle the slider [3].

Figure 1: The menu item Automation > Hotfolder with a list of all configured Hotfolders

Before setting up a Hotfolder, certain preparations have to be made. These include:

• Set up the Share for the input folder (source directory where the data to be processed is copied) and for the output folder (target directory on the printer) in Administration > File Management.
• Create the desired Production Configuration with the desired Operations and Parameters.

Once these preparations have been made, you may begin setting up a Hotfolder. To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Navigate to the menu Automation > Hotfolder.
2. Click on + Add [1] (Figure 1) in the function bar to open the Add Hotfolder dialog.
3. Enter the following values in this dialog:
   • Name [6] – assign a name to the Hotfolder.
   • Processing Method [7] – select the type of data that should be processed from the drop-down menu. The three methods mentioned above – Processing Files, Processing Job Ticket, and Processing ZIP – are available.
   • Source [8] – select the path to a shared folder here. All folders created in Administration > Approvals are available for selection.
   • Polling Interval [9] – define the interval at which the application should access the Hotfolder and search for new files. Files that have already been processed are deleted from the source folder.
   • Production Configuration [10] – select the desired Production Configuration here, which contains all the desired Operations for processing the incoming files.
   • Process Print Item as a Bundle [11] – If this option is enabled, all Print Items are first transferred to an Imposition or a Production Job when all previous Operations or steps for all Print Items have been completed.
   • Template for extracting metadata [12] – select a template for extracting metadata. This allows to, e.g, retrieve the number of copies or the expected size from the file name.
   • File types to be processed [13] – select all file types from the selection menu that should be processed via this Hotfolder.
   • Comment [14] – optionally, enter a comment about the Hotfolder.

Figure 2: The dialog Add Hotfolder

A configured Hotfolder can now start working and automatically processing files that have been copied to the input folder according to the defined rules. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Select the menu item Automation > Hotfolder. The list of Hotfolders that have already been set up is displayed (see Figure 1).
2. Select the paused Hotfolder from the list and click on the slider [3] (Figure 1) of the respective Hotfolder. This causes the Hotfolder to start monitoring the input directory and processing incoming files.
3. Monitor the progress of the processing by clicking on the name of the Hotfolder. This opens the detail view of the selected Hotfolder.
4. The detail view is divided into different functional areas. The following functional areas are available:
   • Header area [15] – this area displays information and editing options for the Hotfolder – Name, Edit Hotfolder, Start/Stop Hotfolder, Comment, Source and Production Configuration.
   • Files (blue area) – this function area displays all new files that are processed via the Hotfolder. This area is divided into two tabs:
     • Processing [17] – this tab displays all files that have not yet been completely checked in. Once the check-in Operation has been successfully completed, the files become visible in the second tab.
     • Error [16] – this tab displays print data that cannot be uploaded due to an error, e.g., files that cannot be read or copied.
   • List of all Print Items (purple area) – the second function area provides an overview of all files that are processed with this Hotfolder. For a better overview, several quick filters [18] are available:
     • Processing – list of all files that are currently being processed.
     • User interaction required – list of all files that require manual intervention to be completed. If you select a file, you can jump directly to the corresponding operation to adjust the file accordingly.
     • Done – list of all files that have already been processed and completed.
     • Error – list of all files in which an error has occurred. If you move the mouse over the respective Operation where the error occurred, the error message is displayed in the tooltip.

Figure 3: The detail view of a Hotfolder