Send letters via S3
Using S3 integration, PDFs can be transferred directly via S3 to Pingen and automatically sent by post. S3 integration is ideal for customers who want to send large quantities of letters securely and automatically. To learn how to manage integrations in the Pingen App, read the article "Manage integrations in Pingen".
What is S3?
S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a modern way to transfer and store data online. S3 can be understood as a more modern version of SFTP with improved error management and more reliable data transfers. Pingen doesn’t use S3 from Amazon but has its own S3 instance on which the accesses/buckets for the customers reside. Accordingly, when using S3, no data is processed by Amazon.
Since many popular programming languages already offer S3 libraries, data transfer via S3 can be easily integrated into existing software solutions. Many SFTP clients, such as CyberDuck, already support data transfer via S3. A good overview of user tools for transferring data via S3 can be found here: https://proprivacy.com/cloud/comparison/amazon-s3-user-interface-tools
How does the S3 integration work?
With S3 integration, Pingen provides each Organisation with an account (a so-called "bucket") and individual login details for the S3 instance of Pingen. PDFs can then be transferred to this bucket using these login details and an S3 library or S3-capable SFTP client.
One or more folders with individual delivery settings are configured for each bucket. Through this bucket, PDFs are automatically processed by Pingen.
If some documents must be printed in greyscale and others in color this can be easily controlled with the S3 integration by setting up two different folders with the corresponding settings. Like the other integrations, the respective settings can be managed directly in the Pingen App under the menu item "Integrations".
Setting up the integration
Integrations can be connected and managed in the respective organization via the menu item "Organisation Administration" "Integrations". Click on the "Add integration" button to select "S3 Bucket" and click on the "Next" button to start setting up the integration.
1. Specify folder name and send settings
Folder name: For each S3 integration, a folder is automatically created on the S3 instance of Pingen. Please enter a suitable folder name. The subsequent send settings can be defined for this folder. As soon as the integration is active, the PDFs that are placed in this folder are automatically processed by Pingen according to the defined send settings.
Envelope window: To ensure the visibility of the recipient's address, the envelope window must be on the correct side. Please specify whether the recipient’s address is on the left or right side in the document.
Send automatically: If “Send automatically” is enabled, the letters are sent directly after they’re transmitted to Pingen. If this feature is disabled, the letters are only transferred to Pingen and can be sent manually via the Pingen App.
Delivery Product: The delivery product option controls whether letters are sent as quickly as possible, as cheaply as possible, or in bulk. If you select the "Fast" option, the fastest available delivery option for the respective recipient country is used. If you select the "Cheap" option, letters are sent using the cheapest available shipping option.
If you select the "Bulk" shipping option, letters will be sent at even cheaper shipping prices but have a longer delivery time. If you select bulk mailing but this mailing option is not available in the recipient country, the letters will automatically be sent using the "Cheap" mailing option.
Page Handling: The page handling option determines whether your letters will be printed on one side (simplex) or on both sides (duplex).
Color Mode: The color mode specifies whether the letters are printed in greyscale or in color.
If necessary, the send settings can also be adjusted again after the S3 integration has been created.
Important: Several S3 integrations can be set up per organization. If you want to send letters with different send settings via S3, we recommend setting up a separate S3 integration for each desired setting. Each S3 integration automatically creates a folder in the organization's S3 bucket. This allows you to select the desired send setting simply by selecting the corresponding folder.
2. Receive access credentials
As soon as an S3 integration has been created, a dialog with the access credentials appears. You can use these credentials to access your bucket on the S3 instance of Pingen.
Important: For security reasons, the secret key can no longer be accessed later. It is therefore essential that you remember or save the secret key in a safe place!
The remaining credentials can be accessed at any time in the Pingen-WebApp under "Integrations" by clicking on "Show credentials":
Send letters via S3
Once the S3 integration is set up, you can transfer your PDFs to Pingen via S3 and have them processed directly.
To transfer PDFs to Pingen via S3, use either an S3-compatible library or an S3-capable SFTP client, such as Cyberduck. A good overview of tools for transferring data via S3 can be found here: https://proprivacy.com/cloud/comparison/amazon-s3-user-interface-tools
Log in to your bucket using an S3-compatible solution with the previously provided credentials.
Next, transfer the PDFs to the folder with the desired send settings on Pingen. Each S3 folder has individual send settings that can be controlled per integration. If you have automatic sending enabled for the corresponding S3 folder, the letters are printed and posted automatically after they have been transferred.
All PDFs saved in the S3 folder are automatically synchronised with Pingen within a few minutes.
Track letters via the Pingen App
After the PDFs have been processed by Pingen, the sending of the letters can be tracked via the menu item "Letters" in the Pingen App. This way, you always stay up to date about the status of your letters!
