> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.bravegen.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.bravegen.com/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes/automation.md).

# Automation

Configure scheduled and ad-hoc data collection tasks, including request emails and reminders.

## Automated Data Collection

Processes are designed to automatically generate tasks. The frequency of these tasks is determined by the 'Repeat Every' property setup when the process is created, and editable on the processes details tab.

### Repeating Data Collection

Repeating processes will automatically create tasks on the defined frequency. The process can also be configured to email a request and reminders to the specified 'Data Supplier' email address. The contents and frequency of these can be configured on the process details

<figure><img src="https://56003612-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5LvYBvfJ43u2Q5Y715DI%2Fuploads%2F8wfdaUHJmqXlixCNBLxi%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=7832a05f-97e8-44b2-98ba-41d981cd9dcc" alt=""><figcaption><p>Example of a repeating monthly process configuration that sends a custom request email.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Customising Data Request Emails

You can add the following dynamic data fields to the email request:

`{{PERIOD}}` Outlines the period that the data is requested for based on the task frequency.

`{{PROCESS OWNER}}` The name of the person or people specified as [Process Owners](/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes.md#process-owners)

`{{PROCESS EMAIL}}` The email address of the person or people specified as Process Owners

{% hint style="info" %}
Recipients should be instructed that they can reply to the request email with the requested file as an attachment, and it will be automatically processed
{% endhint %}

### Ad-hoc Data Collection

If 'repeat every' is set to `never - create tasks ad hoc` then tasks will need to be created either:

* By emailing to the [collection address](/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes/automation/email-attachments.md) specified by the process
* By manually creating a task from the tasks view and selecting this process as the parent

{% hint style="info" %}
As ad-hoc tasks are created on demand, they can't send requests or reminders.
{% endhint %}

## Other Methods

{% content-ref url="/pages/6xcWSosWGwOmdQp9ifzn" %}
[Email Attachments](/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes/automation/email-attachments.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/Zl3yDnUp4CwJqTyXMxhF" %}
[SFTP](/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes/automation/sftp.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/svELVQ3Qvr8va30tzPsx" %}
[API](/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes/automation/api.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/g9rK1ZLQLCgbvbHHVi9z" %}
[MCP](/carbon/core-concepts/data-collection/processes/automation/mcp.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}