The Hotfolder function allows print data to be processed automatically for recurring processes. It can be configured flexibly to either create a Production Job upon import or send it directly to the printer. Using Production Configurations, the necessary steps that the Hotfolder should execute can be defined.

In general, three processing methods are available:

• Processing Files [2] – various files stored in a shared folder are processed based on the selected Production Configuration. Depending on the chosen 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 – placed in a shared folder are processed according to the selected Production Configuration, which is defined within the Job Ticket.
• Processing ZIP [5] – various ZIP files placed in a shared folder are processed based on the selected Production Configuration.

All currently available Hotfolders can be viewed under Automation > Hotfolder. Whether the Hotfolders are currently running or paused can be determined from the enabled or disabled 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 you can set up a Hotfolder, certain prerequisites must be completed. 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 required Operations and Parameters.

Once these prerequisites have been made, you can proceed to set up a Hotfolder as follows:

1. Navigate to the menu Automation > Hotfolder.
2. Click + Add [1] (Figure 1) in the function bar to open the dialog Add Hotfolder.
3. Enter the following values in this dialog:
   • Name [6] – assign a name to the Hotfolder.
   • Processing Mode [7] – select the type of data that should be processed from the drop-down menu. The three previously mentioned methods are available – Processing Files, Processing Job Ticket, and Processing ZIP.
   • Source [8] – select the path to a shared folder. All folders created under Administration > File Management are available for selection.
   • Polling Interval [9] – define the interval at which the application should check the Hotfolder for new files. Files that have already been processed are deleted from the source folder.
   • Production Configuration [10] – select the desired Production Configuration, which includes all required Operations for handling incoming files.
   • Process Print Items as a Bundle [11] – if this option is enabled, all Print Items will only be transferred into an Imposition or a Production Job once all previous steps for all Operations for all Print Items have been completed.
   • Template for extracting metadata [12] – select a template for extracting metadata. This allows, for example, the number of copies or expected size to be retrieved from the file name.
   • Process Type [13] – select all file types from the selection menu that should be processed through this Hotfolder.
   • Comment [14] – optionally, enter a comment for the Hotfolder.

Figure 2: The dialog Add Hotfolder

A configured Hotfolder can now start its service and automatically process 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 already configured Hotfolders will be displayed (Figure 1).
2. Select the paused Hotfolder from the list and click the slider [3] (Figure 1) for the respective Hotfolder. This starts the Hotfolder, which begins 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] – displays information and editing options related to the Hotfolder – Name, Edit Hotfolder, Start/Stop Hotfolder, Comment, Source, and Production Configuration.
   • Files (blue area) – this section displays all new files that are processed via the Hotfolder. This area is divided into two tabs:
     • Processing [17] – displays all files that have not yet been completely checked in. Once the check-in Operation is successfully completed, the files appears in the second tab.
     • Error [16] – displays files that could not be uploaded due to an error, e.g., unreadable or non-copyable files.
   • List of all Print Items (purple area) – the section provides an overview of all files that are processed with this Hotfolder. Several Quick Filters [18] are available for better navigation:
     • Processing – list of all files that are currently being processed.
     • User Interaction required – list of all files that require manual intervention for completion. Selecting a file allows you to jump directly to the respective Operation to adjust the file accordingly.
     • Success – list of all files that have been fully processed and completed.
     • Error – list of all files where an error occurred. Hovering over the respective process with the mouse displays the error message in a tooltip.

Figure 3: The detail view of a Hotfolder