What Fold connects to
Fold works with the data where it already is: your files and the programs you use. It connects to read, never to write, and only what is truly available is shown as Available.
What a connection does
They all do the same, whether it is an Excel file or your program’s API.
- It reads
- It brings the data into Fold and stores it as one more table of your company. Your program notices nothing: nothing is written to it.
- It reads again
- Connected programs are read at regular intervals and only what is new is brought in. A file uploaded by hand is a snapshot: it is updated when you upload another.
- It notes where the data comes from
- Each piece of data keeps its source, so the answer can say which file or which record it comes from.
- It warns you if it goes stale
- Fold knows when it last read each source successfully. If it has not been read for days or the read fails, it says so on the connections screen and in the answer. A passing failure is “delayed”, not “broken”.
- It respects who can see it
- Only the owner and the administrators see and change the connections.
Your files
- Excel and CSV
You upload the files you want Fold to know: rates, stock, trips, invoices, any table. It suggests what each column is and uses nothing until you confirm.
AvailableOn every plan
- A folder on your computer
A small Windows program will watch the Excel files in the folder you choose and upload a copy when they change, without touching the original. It will update by itself.
Coming soon
Your programs and your clouds
Each connected program counts towards the number of programs on your plan.
- Your business software, connected
Fold reads from your ERP, CRM or business software through its API, through an Excel or CSV file published at an address, or by receiving the data over a webhook. Always read-only, and only over public https addresses: it does not reach into your internal network.
AvailableFrom Core
- Holded
With your account key, Fold reads invoices, purchases, contacts, products with stock and orders, and only what is new on each pass. It never writes to Holded. Tested against a replica of its API; not yet used with a real account.
AvailableFrom Core
- Quipu
Fold reads your income and expense invoices, keeping to the pace Quipu sets. It never writes to Quipu. Tested against a replica of its API; not yet used with a real account.
AvailableFrom Core
- Shopify
Fold reads your shop’s orders, products with stock and customers, and only what has changed on each pass. It never writes to your shop. Tested against a replica of its API; not yet used with a real shop.
AvailableFrom Core
- Amazon Seller
With your seller account’s authorisation, Fold reads your new orders within Amazon’s quota. It never writes to Amazon. Tested against a replica of its API; not yet used with a real account.
AvailableFrom Core
- Sage and Contasol, by export
They do not connect directly: you export from the program to Excel or CSV, to a folder or an address, and Fold reads it from there.
AvailableFrom Core
- Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox
Fold will read the spreadsheets in the folder you choose, read-only. Today files are uploaded to Fold.
Coming soonFrom Core
- Folder organiser
Fold will suggest how to tidy the folders in your Drive or OneDrive; you will approve it and it can be undone.
Coming soonFrom Scale
- SharePoint
It will read SharePoint files like those in the other clouds.
Coming soonFrom Scale
What Fold does not connect to
So that you do not take it for granted.
- Databases, SFTP and mailboxes
- Fold does not connect directly to a database, a file server or a mailbox. If your program can export to Excel or CSV, or has an API, it connects that way.
- Your internal network
- Public https addresses only. A program that can only be seen from inside the office cannot be read from Fold.
- Writing to your program
- No connection writes. If you need data to pass from one program to another, that is a custom transfer.
- A program that is not on the list
- If it has an API, it connects with the general connection. If it does not fit, its connector is requested as a custom automation, with price and timeline before we start.
Questions about connections
What do I need to connect my management program?
The address and key of its API, or an Excel or CSV file that the program publishes at an address. It is available from the Core plan.
How many programs can I connect?
It depends on the plan: it is in the comparison on plans and pricing. Files you upload do not count as a program.
How often is the data updated?
A connected program is read again at regular intervals. A file uploaded by hand does not change until you upload another. In both cases, the answer says how recent the data is.
Why are Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox shown as “Coming soon”?
Because the connection is built and tested, but it is not yet switched on with those providers. Until then, files are uploaded to Fold.
Sign-up opens very soon
The day it opens you will register yourself, free and with no card, and a sample company from your sector will be waiting inside so you can ask your first question without uploading anything. Leave your email and we will let you know that day, once.
You're on the list.
The day sign-up opens in the app you will get one email, just one. In the meantime, have a look at everything Fold can do.
Is yours a large automation, one that connects to other systems or touches money or your customers’ data? Book a free 30-minute call.