This article provides a basic overview of Interfolio from an administrative perspective. Interfolio is key for using Opus’ case tool. For a similar overview in an Opus context, see the article Opus in a Nutshell, linked below. For more details, see the articles linked near the bottom of this page.
Summary
Interfolio is a web-deployed software package (accessible via browser, just like Opus) that is tightly integrated with Opus to perform case work. It handles the “middle” tasks associated with cases, allowing administrators to assemble dossiers, and to manage/share the materials they contain. Cases are created in Opus, advanced through Interfolio, and completed in Opus.
What Is Interfolio?
In a broad sense, “Interfolio” is a company that creates software packages for higher education. Opus uses one of their software packages to perform certain work with Opus cases, so when UCLA academic personnel staff talk about Interfolio, we’re referring to this particular package or, less frequently, to the Interfolio company.
Opus is tightly integrated with Interfolio (with the one package), to the point that when users think of a case, they sometimes see no distinction between the case and its Interfolio portion.
One Part of the Case
As mentioned in the article Opus in a Nutshell (linked below), an Opus case is a tool that (1) Facilitates academic personnel actions, and (2) Modifies Opus data. To understand how Interfolio figures into this, let’s review the phases that a case passes through:
Case is started
Packet/Dossier is assembled, certified, accessed, recorded, finalized, etc.
Case is completed (and Opus data is updated)
Of these three, Interfolio deals with just the second. More specifically, Interfolio houses the dossier (be careful, the dossier is called a “packet” in Interfolio), and using the below tools it allows administrators to request materials from candidates, administrators, committees and reviewers, and it provides customizable case access for all involved. Here is a summary of what you'll find in Interfolio (for more details see What Is a Case? linked below):
Candidate info (minimal, Opus handles most of this)
Dossier materials (documents etc.)
Dossier access settings and routing tools (steps, committees, etc.)
Candidate setup tools (submission requirements)
Dossier communication tools (messages, document sharing)
Remember, cases are neither started not completed in Interfolio, and Interfolio does not update Opus data — it just handles the dossier.
Just?
While Interfolio “just” handles the dossier, this work accounts for the majority of the work involved with Opus cases. Consider:
Case candidates (appointees) interact exclusively with Interfolio
Case reviewers interact exclusively with Interfolio
Case materials are handled exclusively through Interfolio
Dossier routing is handled exclusively through Interfolio
About the Word, Dossier…
UCLA refers to the set of case materials as the “dossier.” This can be confusing, as Interfolio (the company) markets a different software package (not the package that Opus uses) called “Dossier,” and they call the set of case materials the “packet.”
Keep in mind that when UCLA says “dossier,” we’re talking about what Interfolio calls the “packet." When Interfolio says “Dossier,” they’re talking about a software package unrelated to Opus/UCLA.
That’s a Wrap
The above covers the basics! However, there’s still plenty to learn. You may want to know how to do a specific task, or you can try browsing for answers to common questions. The Opus Support Site (the site you’re reading now) contains articles for each of these activities, which you can find by following the links below (preferred), or by browsing at the “Solutions” link at the top of this page.