RoboFlowHelp.1.02

!!! warning "Legacy Documentation" This page contains documentation for the original RoboFlow application. Some features described here may not exist in the new Damtoolkit WAP interface.

Understanding RoboFlow

RoboFlow is a server-only component. By itself, RoboFlow has no user visible component. However, there is an administration user interface embedded in Cumulus Web Server Console allowing the configuration of RoboFlow and definition of workflows, monitoring the workflow progress and accessing the log-files.

Canto RoboFlow automates the IN's and OUT's of Cumulus. It can import (catalog) files into Cumulus and it can export (converted) files out of Cumulus. It can import metadata into Cumulus and export metadata from Cumulus.

The RoboFlow usage range:

• Auto-catalog digital assets – RoboFlow can keep Cumulus catalogs in sync with folders and ftp directories. When files are added, moved, renamed, deleted or modified, Cumulus users see the changes. Changes made in Cumulus can update remote file servers as well. Make CMS updates easier by letting RoboFlow deliver files where they’re needed, using defined naming conventions. RoboFlow can even create new folder structures on file servers, perfect for the start of new projects.

• Email notifications that inform– With Canto’s RoboFlow users can be notified at any or every step of a production pipeline. Recipient lists and email content can be defined in standard Cumulus fields to ensure notifications are relevant and current. Once an email has been sent, RoboFlow can change an asset’s status and continue performing other processing actions. E-mail can be a report (bundling) of a bunch of events or a notification per event.

• Dynamic metadata processing – RoboFlow understands a basic scripting language that includes variables. For example, a RoboFlow workflow can reference the current date, time, or a given metadata value. Combined with basic math and control structure routing, the RoboFlow scripting language enables you to build file names or metadata values based on system and other variables.

• Cumulus category tracking –If you’ve ever wanted an easy way to archive or otherwise work with all files associated with a completed project, RoboFlow offers a solution. Using values in category metadata, RoboFlow can process all associated records and files. Simply set a category metadata value to “Ready for Archive” and RoboFlow takes over. Files are moved where they need to go, and records are updated to reflect the change.

• Import/export metadata – Metadata from external systems, such as inventory or accounting systems, can be refreshed in Cumulus with automatic updates managed by RoboFlow. Cumulus users see up-to-date metadata all day long, avoiding production errors. RoboFlow reads multiple, partial or calculated column values so complex spreadsheets can be used for metadata exchange. Need to have Cumulus metadata flow into other systems? RoboFlow creates export files at defined intervals in various file formats (e.g. standard text, XML, TAB-delineated, CSV). And RoboFlow can read and write in other SQL-databases.

• Global “smart” drop folders –Using RoboFlow, a single file server directory can become your organization’s global “drop folder”. Simply define the rules for each auto-catalog operation and experience the power of RoboFlow. Use file naming to trigger specific handling options. With smart auto-cataloging, works-in-progress aren’t cataloged until ready, and files don’t have to be manually moved.