Connect: Flow quick start guide
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Sam Webster

Created Jul 11, 2023

Connect: Flow quick start guide

Here, we will learn how to set up the very basics of the Connect:Flow plugin, so that we can begin to ensure the plugin is creating outputs.

Later tutorials will go into the details of how to fine-tune the content of these output files.

To begin, we will enable the Connect: Flow plugin.

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Navigate to Connect Settings

Navigate to Connect Settings
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Check Connect: Flow

Check Connect: Flow
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Click on Save

Click on Save
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Navigate to Connect Plugins

Navigate to Connect Plugins
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Click on Configure next to the Connect: Flow table entry

Click on Configure next to the Connect: Flow table entry
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Select an initial data format to use

Although we can eventually fully customise the content of the output file, we initially have the selection between JSON and XML generation. Selecting between these two formats is controlled by the Use Data Format Xml option.

If selected, an XML file will be generated. If deselected, a JSON file will be generated.

JSON creation is the default option.

Select an initial data format to use
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To drop the produced output file into an existing Hotfolder, click Drop to Hotfolder.

The simplest way to initially test the plugin is via Hotfolder or email.

To send the output to a Hotfolder, select "Drop to Hotfolder".

To drop the produced output file into an existing Hotfolder, click Drop to Hotfolder.
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Next, select the Hotfolder you wish to utilise by specifying an ID

A list of Hotfolders and their IDs is detailed below the input box.

Next, select the Hotfolder you wish to utilise by specifying an ID
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Navigate to Hotfolders and Print Locations

The Hotfolder must be configured prior to being able to establish a link to Connect: Flow's Hotfolder functionality.

This tutorial will not detail the general setup of Hotfolders. Other tutorials exist on this topic within the Infigo Academy.

Navigate to Hotfolders and Print Locations
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Click on highlight

Click on highlight
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Click on Edit mapping

Click on Edit mapping
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Click on Use hotfolder for Infigo Connect

This setting should be selected in order to push outputs from Infigo Connect plugins to this Hotfolder.

Click on Use hotfolder for Infigo Connect
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Click on Save

Click on Save
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Click on Manage content

If you cannot see the Manage Content button, it may need enabling on your platform. Please contact Customer Support who will be able to get you up and running.

Click on Manage content
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Hotfolder contents

Whilst we can use Infigo Sync to push output files to Hotfolders, it is not a requirement for our initial test.

Once we have specified a Hotfolder ID within the Connect: Flow plugin, any generated outputs will be shown within this Manage Hotfolder screen.

Hotfolder contents
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Inputting an email address is also a simple method of confirming Connect: Flow operation

Input an email address within this field in order to push any generated outputs as an email.

This method will place the output within the body of the email, not as an attachment. To receive the formatted XML or JSON, it is recommended to use another distribution method.

Inputting an email address is also a simple method of confirming Connect: Flow operation
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Click on Save

Click on Save
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To test the setup, navigate to your storefront and place an order

We recommend placing an order for a stock product at this initial stage. As an artwork output is not required to be generated, these will be the fastest to produce your XML or JSON output.

To test the setup, navigate to your storefront and place an order
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Return to your admin area and navigate to Shared Print Operations (SPO)

Return to your admin area and navigate to Shared Print Operations (SPO)
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Locate the job just submitted and review the status.

If the Connect: Flow plugin has been activated, the status history of the job will be updated to reflect this.

Please note, for any product type other than a Stock product you may need to wait a while prior to the Connect: Flow plugin firing. This is due to the fact they are triggered from the app server, not the web server (where we configure the settings) so may take a short while to propagate.

As a reminder, stock products will trigger immediately.

Locate the job just submitted and review the status.
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Navigate back to your Hotfolder management

If the Connect: Flow plugin was correctly configured and triggered, the output file will be uploaded to the Hotfolder.

From here, it can be downloaded for further review. If the Hotfolder is configured with Infigo Sync, the file can also be pushed to an external folder.

If you configured an email address as a distribution method for your Connect: Flow output, you should also receive an email with the output as part of the email body.

Navigate back to your Hotfolder management
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