Automatically Apply Team Folder Changes Across Multiple Devices

TeamsIT Engineers

Getting Started

Basic Concept

Keep file states synchronized with one-way or two-way sync based on your workflow

Synchronization keeps files in multiple folders in the same state, but not every workflow requires the same structure.

One-way synchronization is suitable when a single source folder must distribute files to multiple team PCs and servers.

Two-way synchronization is useful when changes made by different team members or in different work environments must be reflected in both locations.

text
One-way synchronization

Source Folder
    │
    ├──────────→ Team PC A
    │
    ├──────────→ Team PC B
    │
    └──────────→ Work Server


Two-way synchronization

Team Folder A  ◀──────────▶  Team Folder B
       Reflect file creation, modification, and deletion changes in both directions

Configure the synchronization method based on whether files should be distributed from one location to multiple locations or changes across multiple environments should be reflected in both directions.

Synchronization Method

Build different workflows based on the direction of file changes

One-way and two-way synchronization differ in how file changes are processed.

CategoryOne-way SynchronizationTwo-way Synchronization
BasisSingle source folderChanges allowed in both locations
File FlowSource → TargetFolder A ↔ Folder B
Primary PurposeDistribute source filesManage files jointly across multiple environments
Changes AppliedOnly changes from the source folderChanges from both sides reflected in each other
Typical EnvironmentTeam PCs, servers, distribution environmentsTeam work folders, remote work environments

Before configuring synchronization, first determine which location will serve as the source of truth or whether files can be changed in both locations.

Workflow Changes

Automatically apply changes instead of manually copying files

Traditionally, each file change may require sending the updated file to team members or saving it again to a shared folder so everyone can retrieve the latest version.

With automatic synchronization, file changes themselves can trigger updates so the latest state is reflected in the required environments.

text
Before

Edit file
   ↓  

Save new file
   ↓  

Share with team members
   ↓  

Each person checks the file
   ↓  

Prepare the latest file


Automatic synchronization

Edit file
   ↓  

Detect change
   ↓  

Synchronize
   ↓  

Apply to target environment

You can then choose a one-way or two-way structure based on the actual work environment.

Business Teams

One-way Use

Use the latest files from a source work folder across multiple environments

One-way synchronization manages files around a single work folder and automatically applies changes to team PCs or business servers.

For example, when a project manager updates reports and materials in the source folder, the latest files can also be reflected in the work folders used by team members.

text
              Project Source Folder
                       │
             Create or modify files
                       │
                       ▼
                  Sync Flow
             ┌─────────┼─────────┐
             ▼         ▼         ▼
          Team PC A   Team PC B   Work Server

This approach lets teams work from the state of the source folder instead of having each member modify and reshare files separately.

For example, it can be used for the following workflows.

Work ScenarioSynchronization Use
Project Material DistributionApply the latest materials from the source folder
Shared Document ManagementApply changed files to each team member's work folder
Server Work PreparationApply files prepared on a PC to a server
Source Data ManagementMaintain the same data across multiple work environments

Two-way Use

Reflect files changed in different work environments in both locations

Two-way synchronization reflects file changes between two work environments.

For example, when the same project folder is used on an office PC and a remote work PC, changes made on one side can be reflected on the other.

text
Office PC                           Remote PC

Project Folder                     Project Folder
      │                                  │
      │                                  │
      └─────────── Sync ─────────────────┘
                  ◀──────▶

When a new file is added on one side, it can be made available on the other. Changes to modified files can also be applied according to the configured rules.

For example, the workflow can operate as follows.

text
Work on Office PC
        │
Edit file
Edit file
        │
        ▼
Two-way synchronization
        │
        ▼
Apply to Remote PC


Work on Remote PC
        │
Edit file
Edit file
        │
        ▼
Two-way synchronization
        │
        ▼
Apply to Office PC

This allows the same work folder to be used continuously even when the work location or device changes.

Verify Changes

Review changed files and synchronization status in each work environment

When synchronization runs, you can review changed files and processing status for each target.

With one-way synchronization, verify that changes from the source folder were applied successfully to each target.

With two-way synchronization, you can review where the change originated and whether it was reflected in the folder on the other side.

text
Change Activity

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ report.xlsx                         │
│                                     │
│ Office PC                           │
│        ↓                            │  

│ Remote PC             Completed     │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Business teams can continue their work by checking changed files and the latest synchronization status without configuring the synchronization environment themselves.

IT Engineers

Select a Method

Configure the synchronization structure based on the direction of changes in work folders

IT engineers first determine the synchronization direction that best fits the work environment.

Use a one-way structure when files from a source folder must be distributed to multiple targets, and a two-way structure when files in two different environments must be managed together.

text
ONE-WAY

Source
   │
   ├────────→ Target A
   ├────────→ Target B
   └────────→ Target C


TWO-WAY

Source A
    ◀────────▶
        Sync
    ◀────────▶
Source B

Clearly defining the synchronization direction at this stage makes it easier to configure file-change handling and processing rules for the work environment.

One-way Setup

Automatically apply changes from one Source to multiple Targets

In one-way synchronization, specify the Source folder and the Targets that should receive file changes.

A single Source can be connected to multiple PCs and servers.

text
Source

D:\Team\Project\
        │
        │ File Changes
        ▼
   ┌─────────────┐
   │ One-way Sync│
   └──────┬──────┘
          │
    ┌─────┼─────┐
    ▼     ▼     ▼
 PC-A    PC-B  Server

During setup, manage the source folder and each target location separately.

Configuration ItemSettings
SourceFolder that manages the source files
TargetPC or server that receives changed files
Target PathActual storage location on each device
File RulesFiles to synchronize and files to exclude
Sync TriggerChange detection or schedule-based trigger

This structure is suitable for maintaining source files while distributing the same file state across multiple work environments.

Two-way Setup

Review and apply changes between two work folders

In two-way synchronization, connect two devices or file locations as equal synchronization endpoints.

Configure the flow so that when a file is created or modified on one side, the change is applied to the other side.

text
Windows PC                            Linux Server
D:\Project\                           /data/project/
      │                                      │
      └──────────────┐    ┌──────────────────┘
                     ▼    ▼
                   Two-way
                     Sync
                     ▲    ▲
      ┌──────────────┘    └──────────────────┐
      │                                      │
D:\Project\                           /data/project/

In a two-way setup, consider the following file states.

File StateProcessing Rule
New file exists on only one sideApply the file to the other environment
File changed on only one sideApply the change to the other side
Both sides are identicalKeep the current state with no additional processing
File changed on both sidesApply the configured conflict-handling rule

Two-way synchronization is therefore more than sending files in both directions. It should be configured as a structure that manages changes from both sides under a single synchronization policy.

Conflict Management

Handle cases where the same file changes in multiple locations

With two-way synchronization, the same file may be changed in both environments.

In this case, you can configure rules for which version takes priority or whether additional review is required.

text
              report.xlsx
                    │
          ┌─────────┴─────────┐
          ▼                   ▼
      PC Version         Server Version
          │                   │
          └─────────┬─────────┘
                    ▼
             Change Comparison
                    │
          ┌─────────┼─────────┐
          ▼         ▼         ▼
        Apply      Keep      Review

Depending on the operating environment, processing policies can be applied based on file state and modification time.

This keeps synchronization rules clear even when files are changed on both devices at the same time.

Run Management

Review one-way and two-way synchronization results separately

After synchronization runs, review the processing results from change detection through file application in Runs.

For one-way synchronization, verify that Source changes were applied successfully to all Targets.

For two-way synchronization, review which device originated the file change and how it was reflected on the other side.

ItemOne-wayTwo-way
Change LocationSourceDevice where the change occurred
Application DirectionSource → TargetChanges in both directions
Target StatusResult for each TargetResult applied to the folder on the other side
File ResultWhether the source file was appliedChanges and processing result
Additional ChecksConnection · path · permissionsConflict · path · permissions

If a problem occurs, review the Run details to check file paths, device connections, and access status, then rerun the required operation.

With this structure, team folders are not simply copied across devices. You can configure one-way synchronization to maintain a single source folder across multiple environments and two-way synchronization to keep files aligned across different work environments, depending on the workflow.