August 14, 2012

What's New

Use HotFolder for uploads to FileCatalyst Workflow

FileCatalyst Workflow introduces a new feature which makes file areas even more convenient: uploading from FileCatalyst HotFolder. HotFolder is a desktop application that automatically watches a directory for changes. The user puts a file in the folder and HotFolder automatically uploads it to their FileCatalyst Workflow file area.

In the HotFolder application, the user adds a new Site, selecting "FCWeb" as the site type; then they choose one of their file areas. Beyond this minimum configuration, users may choose from a variety of scheduling and automation options.

Also new to FileCatalyst Workflow is the ability to notify all members of a group when new content is available in their shared group area. By combining the new HotFolder functionality with this notification option, users can collaborate by simply dropping a file into a folder.

Tips and Tricks

How to get better transfer speeds using on-the-fly compression

FileCatalyst Direct is able to transfer files at full line speed without using compression. However compression settings are still offered to achieve even more acceleration when possible. We'll use the FileCatalyst HotFolder for this example.

Edit your existing Task
Go to the "Data Minimization" tab
Click on the "Enable Compression" check box.
Click on Apply

Now your task will take advantage of compression while transferring files. If you are willing to sacrifice some CPU power (or have plenty of it to spare) you can move the slider from "Fastest" towards "Best" and FileCatalyst will try even harder to compress the files. For even higher compression ratios (at the expense of even more CPU) set the Compression Method from "Zip Deflater" to "LMZA".

If you have some files that you want to exclude from compression (maybe they are already compressed) simple add the extension to the "Exclude files" option.

Using LMZA compression, one customer reported they were able to send binary files at an effective rate of over 2 Gbps on their 1 Gbps link!

From the Blog

New and useful posts

The truth about unlimited bandwidth solutions - learn why so-called "unlimited bandwidth" file transfer solutions cannot perform at the level you might expect.

Minimize steps required to submit a job in Workflow - There are typically five steps to follow in order to create a job within FileCatalyst Workflow. However, some of these steps are optional. Learn how to streamline the process for users by eliminating steps that are not needed for your particular scenario.

Feature of the Month

Connecting to Multiple FC/FTP Servers In Webmail or Workflow

Background: Transactional data in Webmail/Workflow is tiny, not requiring much disk space; however, the file transfer data (the actual files) is very large. It is important to manage how and where this data is stored.

Problem: You have multiple locations and you want to control where the files are stored when being sent via Webmail or Workflow. For example, a single FTP/FC server located in New York will typically force a user located in your London office to always upload files to the New York server. This might not be an ideal scenario, particularly if the ultimate destination is also meant to be London.

Solution: Install a new FC or FTP server in London. Log into Webmail/Workflow as Super Admin, go to “Modify Configuration”, and click on FC Servers to add the new server to the list of defined FC/FTP servers in Webmail/Workflow. With more then one FC/FTP server defined (in our example, New York and London), you will be able to assign users, groups and order forms to a specifc FC/FTP server. You may also add a drop down to the form to let users select from their available servers.

Visit this article on our blog to see an even more in-depth implementation: go further with multiple servers

Customer Spotlight

BET

BET is a leading North American provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming.

Moving large media files within BET using an FTP-driven solution had started to hinder productivity and push back deadlines. Online tools fell short in terms of speed, tracking, and security. Using FileCatalyst Webmail, BET was able to provide an easy to use web-based hub for file transfer activities within the organization.

"FTP is officially dead. Thank you, FileCatalyst."
–Will Horton, Engineer Post Production