Automatically Reflect a Team Work Folder Across Multiple PCs

TeamsIT Engineers

Getting Started

Core Concept

Keep Files in the Same State Across Multiple Work Environments

Work files are used across various environments, including individual team members' PCs, department shared folders, and servers. Work folder synchronization connects files so that the state of files used in one folder can be kept the same across other work environments. Even when the same work files are used in multiple locations, the required files can be managed and used in the same state.

text
┌─────────────────────┐                 ┌─────────────────────┐
│       Work PC       │                 │    Shared Folder    │
│                     │◀──────────────▶│                     │
│       Files         │    Keep in Sync │       Files         │
└──────────┬──────────┘                 └──────────┬──────────┘
           │                                       │
           └──────────────────┬────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
                 ┌──────────────────────────┐
                 │ Work Folder              │
                 │ Synchronization          │
                 └────────────┬─────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
                 ┌──────────────────────────┐
                 │    Servers · Systems    │
                 └──────────────────────────┘

Synchronization Flow

Automatically Connect the Process from File Changes to Reflection

Work folder synchronization checks the state of files in connected folders and reflects changes between them according to the configured conditions. When a file is created or modified in one folder, the synchronization conditions and processing targets are checked. The changed file is reflected in the connected folder, and changes made in the other folder can be checked and synchronized in the same way.

① File Change
      ↓
② Check Changes
      ↓
③ Check Synchronization Conditions
      ↓
④ Reflect Changes in the Connected Folder
       ↓
⑤ Check Results

Through this flow, whenever a file changes in any work environment, required changes can be reflected based on the state of the connected folders, and the results can be managed as part of a single workflow.

Workflow Changes

Reduce File Management and Repetitive Work

When work files are used in multiple locations, each task involves checking the latest files and organizing them in the required locations. Work folder synchronization connects the process after a file changes into a configured workflow.

Before and After Synchronization

CategoryManual ManagementWork Folder Synchronization
File CheckCheck files in multiple locationsUse the latest files from connected locations
File ReflectionManually manage files in the required locationsAutomatically reflect changes according to configured conditions
Workflow ConnectionPrepare files for the next taskConnect to the next task after reflecting changes
Repetitive WorkRepeat the same management processProcess automatically according to a defined workflow

Work folder synchronization connects each work environment where files are used. Users can build workflows that lead from finding and organizing files to actual work, and regularly generated reports and result files can be managed in the same way.

Teams

Check the Latest Files

Open the Latest Files Immediately When Starting Work

When the same files are used across multiple work environments, it is important to immediately check the latest files that serve as the basis for the current work when starting a task. With two-way synchronization, changes made in Work Folder A and B are reflected in each other, allowing each user to continue working from the latest file state in their respective folder.

For example, if a proposal is modified in Work Environment A in the morning and work resumes in Work Environment B in the afternoon, the changes are reflected in the synchronized folder. The user can open the latest version of the proposal from the work folder currently in use and continue working immediately.

Check Before Starting Work

Check ItemFiles Needed for Work
Previous WorkThe file last worked on
Changes by Other UsersThe latest reflected file
Current Work ReferenceThe file to use now

Because changes made in Work Folders A and B are reflected in each other, work can continue immediately with the latest file regardless of which folder is used to start the task.

Carry the File from the Previous Task Directly into the Next Task

Work often continues beyond one person's task, with created files moving on to review, modification, approval, and other subsequent tasks. With two-way synchronization, files modified in each work environment are reflected in each other so the same files can continue to be used.

For example, after the author modifies a report, a reviewer can check the file in another work environment and modify its contents, with the changes then reflected back in the connected folder.

A Workflow That Continues with One File

Write ↕ Report Modification ↕ Review · Modification ↕ Approval    ↓

Follow-up Work

By reflecting changes made at each stage of the work, the next task can naturally continue based on the file from the previous task.

Shorten Repetitive Work

Reduce the Time Spent on Daily File Management

Reports generated daily or materials updated regularly are sometimes used across multiple work environments. With two-way synchronization, files changed in each work environment are reflected in the others, reducing repetitive file management work.

Example of Repetitive Work

text
┌──────────────────────────┐              ┌──────────────────────────┐
│   Work Environment A     │              │   Work Environment B     │
└────────────┬─────────────┘              └────────────┬─────────────┘
             │                                         │
             ▼                                         ▼
┌──────────────────────────┐              ┌──────────────────────────┐
│      Create Report       │              │    Check / Edit Files    │
└────────────┬─────────────┘              └────────────┬─────────────┘
             │                                         │
             ▼                                         ▼
┌──────────────────────────┐    ◀──────▶   ┌──────────────────────────┐
│      Work Folder A       │  Bidirectional │     Work Folder B       │
└────────────┬─────────────┘ Synchronization └────────────┬──────────┘
             │                                         │
             └──────────────────┬──────────────────────┘
                                │
                                ▼
                 ┌──────────────────────────────┐
                 │ Reflect Changes to Each Other│
                 └──────────────┬───────────────┘
                                │
                                ▼
                    ┌────────────────────────┐
                    │    Use in Next Task    │
                    └────────────────────────┘

For example, when a daily work report is created in one folder and its contents are checked or modified in another work environment, the changes are also reflected in the connected folder. Users can immediately use the files needed for each task and reduce repetitive file management.

Work Use CaseSynchronization Flow
Daily ReportCreate · Modify ↔ Reflect in Work Folder
Regular Result FilesFile Change ↔ Reflect in Connected Environment
Repetitive Data SharingReflect Changes Across Work Environments

IT Engineer

Environment Setup

Connect the Folders to Synchronize

To configure two-way file synchronization, first add the two systems to be connected to the flow and configure the folder to synchronize on each system.

Each system checks for file changes, and when a file is created or modified on one side, the changes are reflected in the folder on the other side according to the configured conditions.

Connect the Two Systems

In Flow Canvas, select the systems to synchronize and place them in the flow. In the screen, the RHEL and Windows systems are connected, and the settings in the center can be used to configure the file synchronization direction and processing conditions between the two systems.

Connecting the two systems enables a two-way file flow that checks and reflects changes between both systems, rather than a simple transfer path that processes files from one side to the other.

Use a screen showing the RHEL and Windows systems placed in Flow Canvas with a Two-way connection configured between them.

Configure the Synchronization Folder on Each System

After connecting the systems, specify the folder to synchronize in each environment.

For example, D:\git\Datasets\install can be configured as the synchronization target on Windows#1, and /data/distribution/install can be configured on CentOS.

Each folder serves both as the location where files are checked and as the location where changes from the other system are reflected.

text
┌──────────────────────────────┐          ┌──────────────────────────────┐
│        Sync Folder A         │          │        Sync Folder B         │
└──────────────────────────────┘          └──────────────────────────────┘
              │                                         │
              ▼                                         ▼
        Windows #1                                  CentOS
              │                                         │
              ▼                                         ▼
   D:\git\Datasets\install              /data/distribution/install
              │                                         │
              │           Check for Changes             │
              │                                         │
              └───────────────┐       ┌─────────────────┘
                              ▼       ▼
                         ┌─────────────────┐
                         │   Two-way Sync  │
                         └───────▲───▲─────┘
                                 │   │
              ┌──────────────────┘   └──────────────────┐
              │                                         │
              │          Reflect Changes                │
              │                                         │
              └──────────────────┐   ┌──────────────────┘
                                 │   │
                                 ▼   ▼
                         Changes Reflected
                         on Both Folders

When a file is added or modified in one folder, the changes are reflected in the other folder according to the configured synchronization criteria. Conversely, changes made on the other system can be reflected in the connected folder in the same way.

Check the Connection Status

After configuring each system and folder, check the connection status. Verify that the system can be accessed normally and that the specified folder can be used, then save the synchronization flow.

Once the two environments are connected, the following structure is ready.

CategorySystemSynchronization Folder
Sync Environment AWindows#1D:\git\Datasets\install
Sync Environment BCentOS/data/distribution/install
Synchronization MethodTwo-wayReflect changes on both sides

The two systems and folders are now connected as a single two-way synchronization flow.

Execution Conditions

Decide When and Which Files to Synchronize

Once the environment is configured, set when to start the synchronization task, which changes to check, and which files to target between the two systems.

Use the Start When, Sync on, Direction, and Filter options in the settings panel on the right to configure the synchronization execution criteria.

Select the Synchronization Start Condition

In Start When, select how to start the file synchronization task.

  • Date/Time: Run synchronization at the specified date and time
  • After Transfer: Run after another file processing task is completed
  • Sync: Synchronize based on file changes
  • URL Request: Run synchronization through an external request

Select Sync to automatically synchronize based on changes in the work folder.

Use a screen showing the Start When, Sync on, Direction, Filter, and Endpoints settings.

Specify Which Changes to Check

In Sync on, select which file changes to use as the synchronization criteria.

  • New Items: Check for changes when a new file is created
  • Modified Items: Check for changes when an existing file is modified

For example, select both options to synchronize newly created reports as well as subsequent modifications.

Check file creation or modification in one folder and reflect the changes in the connected folder according to the configured synchronization direction.

Configure One-way / Two-way Synchronization

In Direction, select the direction in which file changes are processed.

  • One-way: Reflect changes from one folder in the other folder
  • Two-way: Reflect changes made in both folders in each other

For this two-way synchronization, select Two-way. This allows changes made when a file is created or modified on either side to be reflected in the other folder according to the configured criteria.

Choose Which Files to Synchronize

If necessary, use Filter to select the files to synchronize.

By configuring filters based on file names, extensions, or work-specific conditions, you can process only the required files instead of synchronizing every file.

For example, report workflows can target document files such as PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.

Check the Folders to Connect

In Endpoints, check the two systems and folders connected for two-way synchronization.

The screen shows the following two environments configured as synchronization targets.

CategorySystemFolder
Endpoint ARHELdaily-report
Endpoint BUbuntureport-summary

By configuring the execution conditions, changes, synchronization direction, and file filters, you can configure two-way synchronization between the two folders based on the required file changes.

Duplicate Policy

Decide How to Handle Files with the Same Name

In two-way synchronization, you need to consider situations where a file is changed on one side while files with the same name exist in both folders. In File Conflict Handling, select which file should be used as the basis for reflecting changes.

Select a Handling Method Use a settings screen showing Overwrite, Skip, Numbering, and the Example for each method.

The screen provides the following three methods.

Handling MethodExisting FileChanged FileProcessing Result
OverwriteReplace with the changed fileReflectKeep the latest state based on the changed file
SkipKeep as isDo not reflectKeep the existing file
NumberingKeep as isSave with an added numberKeep both files

When files with the same name exist in both folders

For example, if both Work Folder A and B contain report.pdf and the file is changed on one side, the changes are managed according to the configured handling method.

text
┌──────────────────────────┐                 ┌──────────────────────────┐
│      Work Folder A       │                 │      Work Folder B       │
└────────────┬─────────────┘                 └────────────┬─────────────┘
             │                                            │
             ▼                                            ▼
     Changed report.pdf                          Existing report.pdf
             │                                            │
             └────────────────┐      ┌────────────────────┘
                              ▼      ▼
                       Two-way Synchronization
                              │
                              ▼
                       File Conflict Handling
                              │
              ┌───────────────┼───────────────┐
              │               │               │
              ▼               ▼               ▼
      ┌───────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐
      │   Overwrite   │ │     Skip      │ │   Numbering   │
      └───────┬───────┘ └───────┬───────┘ └───────┬───────┘
              │                 │                 │
              ▼                 ▼                 ▼
      ┌───────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐
      │ Replace with  │ │ Keep existing │ │ report (1).pdf│
      │ changed file  │ │     file      │ │               │
      └───────────────┘ └───────────────┘ └───────────────┘

Choose the Method That Fits the Work

Overwrite is suitable when you want to reflect a changed file in the other folder as well and align the file states in both folders with the latest version.

Skip can be used when the existing file in each folder should be retained.

Numbering is suitable when files used in both folders need to be kept together. Files with the same name can be distinguished when saved, allowing both the changed and existing files to be managed.

Selection Criteria at a Glance

File Management MethodSelection
Reflect the latest state based on the changed fileOverwrite
Keep the existing fileSkip
Keep both existing and changed filesNumbering

By configuring file conflict handling criteria, you can consistently manage changes even when files with the same name are found in Work Folders A and B.

Check Results

Review Executed Task Results at a Glance

When a two-way synchronization task runs, the Dataset screen lets you check the synchronization status of connected folders and recent execution results together.

At the top of the screen, you can check the current Dataset version, total file count, size, and last update time. In Sources below, check the synchronization status for each connected system and folder, and in Runs, review the progress of tasks currently being executed.

Check Synchronization Status by Folder

In Sources, you can view the Device and Path connected to synchronization in a list. ![](/md_images/guide/Pasted image 20260831141641.png) Each item provides the following information.

Check ItemDetails
DeviceConnected system or device
PathSynchronization folder path
Last SyncLast synchronization time
FilesNumber of files managed in the folder
SizeTotal file size
StatusCurrent synchronization status

For example, the screen shows Windows#1 connected to multiple folders, and each folder's status can be viewed as Sync, Syncing, Sync Failed, and so on.

This makes it easy to quickly determine which folders have synchronized successfully, whether a task is currently in progress, and which items require additional review.

Check Running Synchronization Tasks

In Runs at the bottom of the screen, you can view recently executed synchronization tasks.

Each task provides the following information.

text
Flow
   │
   ├── From / To
   │
   ├── Trigger
   │
   ├── Progress
   │
   └── Status

Use From/To to check the file flow between connected systems, and Trigger to check the condition that caused the task to run.

Use Progress to check the current processing progress, and Status to determine whether the task is proceeding normally.

For example, a task in Running status means synchronization is currently in progress, and the progress indicates how much of the overall task has been processed.

Check Synchronization Results Together

For two-way synchronization, it is important to check the status and execution results of each connected folder together rather than checking only one folder.

text
┌──────────────────────────────┐          ┌──────────────────────────────┐
│        Folder A              │          │        Folder B              │
└──────────────┬───────────────┘          └──────────────┬───────────────┘
               │                                         │
               │ Check for Changes                       │ Check for Changes
               │                                         │
               └─────────────────┐       ┌───────────────┘
                                 ▼       ▼
                          ┌──────────────────┐
                          │   Two-way Sync   │
                          └────────┬─────────┘
                                   │
                                   ▼
                          ┌──────────────────┐
                          │  Dataset Status  │
                          └────────┬─────────┘
                                   │
                     ┌─────────────┴─────────────┐
                     │                           │
                     ▼                           ▼
        ┌────────────────────────┐  ┌────────────────────────┐
        │        Sources         │  │          Runs          │
        ├────────────────────────┤  ├────────────────────────┤
        │   Status by Folder     │  │ Check Execution Results│
        └────────────────────────┘  └────────────────────────┘

On the Dataset screen, you can check the synchronization status by folder → currently running tasks → overall file status on a single screen.

Therefore, operators can check whether changes are being reflected normally in a specific folder, review progress when a task is running, and perform additional checks based on the affected item when Sync Failed occurs.

Incident Response

Check and Reprocess When a Problem Occurs

If processing of some files is not completed during a two-way synchronization task, check the execution results, then identify which synchronization direction encountered the problem and reprocess the necessary work.

Incident response follows the flow of check task status → check synchronization direction → identify the cause → retry → confirm completion.

Check for Problems in the Processing Status

Check executed tasks in Runs with the statuses Completed, Failed, and In Progress.

When you select a task with Failed status, review the execution information and file processing results, and identify which environment between Work Folders A and B requires attention while processing the changes that occurred there.

text
Synchronization Run
    │
    ▼
Check Task Status
    │
     ├── Completed ──→ Check Results
    │
    └── Failed
          │
          ▼
       Check Synchronization Direction
          │
          ▼
       Check Details
          │
          ▼
       Identify Cause and Take Action
          │
          ▼
         Retry
          │
          ▼
       Check Completion Result

Reprocess After Identifying the Cause

In two-way synchronization, check the connection status of both systems, folder paths, access permissions, and file status together. Use task details and the Audit Log to identify which folder's changes require attention during processing.

Once the check is complete, rerun the task or the file being processed. After retrying, use the new Run to verify that changes in both folders have been reflected normally.

Check ItemDetails to CheckFollow-up Action
System ConnectionConnection status between the two work environmentsCheck the connection, then retry
Folder PathPaths of both synchronization foldersCheck the paths, then rerun
Access PermissionsFile read/write permissions for both foldersCheck permissions, then reprocess
File StatusStatus of files targeted for synchronizationCheck the files, then retry
Execution HistoryAudit Log and synchronization resultsIdentify the cause, then run the task

Set the Retry Criteria

When a task can continue normally after being rerun, such as after a temporary connection issue or a change in the file processing environment, retry the synchronization task.

When the same item repeatedly requires attention, review the execution conditions, connection status of both folders, access scope, and file conflict handling policy together and incorporate the findings into operational criteria.

Recovery Flow at a Glance

text
Failed Run
    ↓  

View Details
    ↓  

Check Synchronization Direction
    ↓  

Identify Cause
    ↓  

Adjust Environment or File Status
    ↓  

Retry
    ↓  

Create a New Run
    ↓  

Check Reflection Results in Both Folders
    ↓  

Completed

In this way, by identifying and reprocessing issues based on execution results and detailed records, you can manage tasks that occurred during two-way synchronization until the file states in both work environments are reflected normally again.