Chapter 43 Folder Connect
Folder Connect is a Service that automatically connects to remote folders and checks for new files like Orders to import. It can also export and send files, such as Invoices.
If you download files to import, Folder Connect may be able to automate this process. Just walk through the needed settings, test your setup, and go live with Auto-Connect.
This chapter provides details for reference. To start, email support@bigbusiness.com. You will be provided needed Registration and setup instructions for your BigBusiness.
Folder Connect
Folder Connect imports and exports from remote folders using File Transfer Protocol (FTP, SFTP, or FTPS) and requires Registration and your login credentials to set up.
Folder Connect includes options to:
• connect to remote and secure folders
• monitor folders and watch for new files
• automatically import new files (like Orders)
• automatically export files (like Invoices)
Folder Registration
To Register the Folder Connect Add-On:
1. Go to the System toolbar, to the Company Card, and click the Upgrade button.
2. Click the Folders button and the Registration dialog, pictured, will open.
3. Enter your Registration code.
4. Click Continue.
5. Click OK on the Confirmation dialog.
6. Click OK to Save the Company Card.
7. Quit and restart Big Business Client.
File Transfer
Folder Connect is an option to import and export files from a remote folder that uses File Transfer. Big Business supports FTP, SFTP, and FTPS protocols.
This Solution provides details. (7002)
Folder Settings
This Solution describes Registering the Folder Connect Add-On. (6965)
1. Go to the System toolbar to the Company card to the Company Prefs tab.
2. Click the Folder Setup button.
3. Enter the Application ID and Personal Access Token.
4. Click the Test button to verify you can connect.
5. Click OK to save Square Setup and OK to save the Company card.
Folder URL
Folder Connect lets you set an online folder to check for import files. This online folder has a unique URL just like any address you put in a browser. Enter the URL carefully so it will always work. If you have any questions, email support@bigbusiness.com for help.
This Solution provides details for entering a Folder URL. (6931)
Here is an example:
(url) sftp://demo.wftpserver.com:2222/download/
(user) demo-user
(password) demo-user
You can enter and click Test to verify your connection works.
The URL starts with the protocol. Options include:
ftp://
ftps://
sftp://
It ends with a forward slash.
If the address you have includes name and password, like:
ftp://username:password@example.com
(url) ftp://example.com/
(user) username
(password) password
File Kind
File Kind lets you tell Big Business to only look for one kind of file when using automated imports in Connect tools. If you are using Folder Connect to check a remote folder, providing the Kind of file you are expecting reduces the possibility of error or confusion when the wrong kind of file is accidentally dropped in the target folder. If you have any questions, email support@bigbusiness.com for help.
This Solution provides details for entering a File Kind. (6932)
When you are setting up Folder Connect you can choose from the File Kind drop down to filter.
Export To
Export To is the destination for export files, such as a remote folder for Invoices that are sent to customers purchasing systems. It can be a full URL, or a relative path, or a folder.
This Solution provides details. (6934)
Export Invoice
Folder Connect lets you set an online folder to check for import files. This online folder has a unique URL just like any address you put in a browser. Enter the URL carefully so it will always work. If you have any questions, email support@bigbusiness.com for help.
This Solution provides details for entering a Folder URL. (6931)
Here is an example:
(url) sftp://test.rebex.net:22/
(user) demo
(password) password
You can enter and click Test to verify your connection works.
The URL starts with the protocol. Options include:
ftp://
ftps://
sftp://
It ends with a forward slash.
If the address you have includes name and password, like:
ftp://username:password@example.com
(url) ftp://example.com/
(user) username
(password) password
Import File
Import File is the name assigned in Docs to an online file used to create an entry. For example, using Folder Connect, Big Business might import an order by downloading an XML file. This file is attached to the Order for reference.
This Solution provides details. (6933)
Pictured is a PO created automatically from the XML file attached. The Docs shows one attachment in its name, "Docs (1)". Opening the Docs tool shows the Import File.
You can double-click the Import File to view. The may open an unexpected application--depends on your computer's settings--and show you unexpectedly hard-to-read code. However, this is the import file that created the order, so it may contain important details. Email support@bigbusiness.com if you need help.
Folder Auto-Connect
Auto-Connect for the Folder Connect Add-On is a checkbox that starts automatic importing and exporting of files from remote folders on an FTP site. (6967)
To enable Folder Auto-Connect:
1. Go to System toolbar, Company card, Company Prefs tab.
2. Click Folder Settings.
3. Click to set the Auto-Connect checkbox, then OK and OK to save settings.
For Auto-Connect to work you must have set and tested credentials for Folders on the FTP site and the import Mappings to use.
If you need help please contact support@ bigbusiness.com.
Folder Validation
Folder Connect lets you set an online folder to check for import files for automatic processing.
To avoid problems you can choose a File Kind like ".txt" for text files to skip non-matching files that could cause problems.
To further validate matching files, you can enter a test in Validation, like "OrderNumber=@" to only process files contain an OrderNumber entry.
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Folder Error
Error 3 - url malformat
Error 9 - remote access denied
Error 35 - connect error
Error 67 - login denied
Error 78 - remote file not found
Error 79 - ssh error
Folder Errors
When running normally, Folder Connect can report intermittent errors if there is trouble with your Internet connection. Or if you are setting up, it may report an error connecting at all. Or processing it may report an unexpected error like, No orders created. You may receive hundreds of errors that happened overnight--easily deleted--but you will not miss anything important.
This Solution lists various errors. (6930)
Pictured is a Note sending an error, No Orders Created. Note Subject tells you the Description you put in setup ("bigbusiness"). Note tells you the errors. Attachments provides a copy of any problem file (Bing search file that shouldn't be here).
Some possible errors include:
7 - Failed to connect.
21 - Quote error. The command could not be completed.
67 - Login denied. Name and Password may be incorrect.
Ampersand Fix
Ampersand Fix corrects incoming XML files where they are not properly encoded.
This option was applied for some Folder Connect operations automatically and is now optional. In Folder setup, on the Advanced tab, click the checkbox for Ampersand Fix.