Launching and Testing File Drop

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This guide walks through launching the File Drop service and testing your configuration to ensure automated printing works correctly.

Prerequisites

Before launching:

✅ File Drop service installed ✅ File Drop template created ✅ Folder Settings configured ✅ Data Settings configured ✅ Label Settings designed ✅ Printer online and loaded with labels

Step 1: Verify Service is Running

Open Windows Services

Search Services
  1. Press Windows Key or click Start
  2. Type "Services"
  3. Click Services App

Find QRlogix File Drop

Services App
  1. Scroll to QRlogixFileDrop
  2. Check Status column

Should show: "Running"

Start Service if Needed

If status is not "Running":

  1. Click QRlogixFileDrop to select
  2. Click Start in left panel
  3. Wait for status to change to "Running"

If service won't start:

  • Verify installation completed
  • Check Windows Event Viewer for errors
  • Contact support: 800-650-0632

Step 2: Check Template Status

Open File Drop Template

  1. Open QRlogix Software
  2. Click your File Drop template
  3. Check status indicators
Status Indicators

Verify Green Indicators

Both should be GREEN:

✅ Service Status - Service running and monitoring ✅ Template Status - Template active and ready

If indicators are red:

  • Service Red: Start service in Windows Services app
  • Template Red: Check template configuration
  • Both Red: Start service, then check template

Step 3: Test Print

Run Built-in Test

From File Drop homepage:

  1. Verify Label Preview looks correct
  2. Verify Sample Print File Data shows expected format
  3. Click Test Print button

What happens:

  1. Creates test file with sample data
  2. Saves file to watch folder
  3. Service detects file
  4. Label prints on configured printer
  5. File deleted or archived

Verify Test Results

Success indicators:✅ Label printed ✅ Data appears correctly ✅ Positioning correct ✅ Barcode scans (if applicable) ✅ File removed from watch folder

If test fails:

  • Check printer is online
  • Verify printer has labels loaded
  • Check watch folder path
  • Review log file for errors

Step 4: Test with Manual File

Create Test File

  1. Copy Sample Print File Data from File Drop homepage
  2. Open Notepad or text editor
  3. Paste the data
  4. Save as .txt file to watch folder

Example file content:

S22-1234,A1,H&E,BILLY BOB,DR JONES

Monitor for Print

Within seconds:

  • File should disappear from folder
  • Label should print automatically

Test multiple records:

S22-1234,A1,H&E,BILLY BOB,DR JONES
S22-1235,B1,Trichrome,JANE DOE,DR SMITH
S22-1236,C1,PAS,JOHN SMITH,DR BROWN

Should print 3 labels (or sets if using To/From counter).

Step 5: Verify Label Quality

Check printed labels for:

Data Accuracy:

  • All fields present
  • Correct data in each field
  • No truncation or cutoff
  • Proper formatting

Physical Quality:

  • Readable fonts
  • Clear barcodes
  • Proper alignment
  • No smudging or errors

Barcode Functionality:

  • Scan each barcode
  • Verify scanned data matches expected
  • Test from typical scanning distance
  • Check under typical lighting

Troubleshooting

Test Print Doesn't Work

Check:

  • Service status is green
  • Template status is green
  • Printer is online
  • Printer has labels loaded
  • Watch folder path is correct

Review log file for error messages.

Manual File Doesn't Print

Check:

  • File format matches sample exactly
  • Separator character is correct
  • File saved to correct folder
  • Service has read permissions
  • No header row (unless Skip Header Row enabled)

Some Labels Print, Others Don't

Likely causes:

  • Inconsistent data format
  • Missing fields in some records
  • Extra separators or spaces
  • Special characters causing issues

Fix:

  • Standardize data format
  • Validate all records
  • Check for hidden characters
  • Review log file for specific errors

Wrong Data on Labels

Likely causes:

  • Field order doesn't match file order
  • Separator mismatch
  • Sample data doesn't represent actual data

Fix:

  1. Compare sample string to actual file
  2. Verify field order in Data Settings
  3. Check separator character
  4. Update configuration as needed

Monitoring Operation

During Production

Check periodically:

  • Status indicators remain green
  • Labels printing as expected
  • No files stuck in watch folder
  • Log file shows no errors

Log File Location

Access log from File Drop homepage:

  • Click Log file location link
  • Opens log.txt in default text editor

Log contains:

  • File processed timestamps
  • Print job details
  • Errors and warnings
  • Service start/stop events

Review log for:

  • Troubleshooting failures
  • Audit trail
  • Performance issues
  • System behavior

Production Deployment

Pre-Production Checklist

Before going live:

  • Service runs automatically on Windows startup
  • Test prints successful
  • Manual file test successful
  • Multiple record test successful
  • Barcode scanning verified
  • Label quality acceptable
  • Archive/delete working correctly
  • LIS/LIMS team coordinated
  • Watch folder permissions verified
  • Backup/recovery plan in place
  • Staff trained on monitoring
  • Support contact information posted

Go-Live Plan

  1. Coordinate with LIS/LIMS team on cutover
  2. Start with low volume to verify
  3. Monitor closely first few hours
  4. Have backup printing method ready
  5. Document any issues and resolutions

Post-Go-Live

  • Monitor for first week closely
  • Check log files daily
  • Verify archive folder working
  • Collect feedback from users
  • Document any adjustments needed

Ongoing Maintenance

Daily:

  • Verify service running
  • Check for errors in log
  • Monitor label quality

Weekly:

  • Review archive folder size
  • Check for stuck files
  • Verify printer supplies

Monthly:

  • Archive old logs
  • Review performance metrics
  • Clean up archive folders
  • Update documentation

Need Help?

Issues during testing or deployment?

  • Phone Support: 800-650-0632
  • Email Support: Support@QRlogix.com
  • Have log file and sample files ready

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