windows - Dragging a folder full of files into another folder which automatically zips and moves it to an archive drive

I have a question regarding archiving on windows 7 and I will preface it with the problem in an effort to identify what solution I need.

• Our workflow process dumps printable files to a numbered folder. eg JOB0150


• The user outputs the printable files in each folder using the output device during the shift.


• The user then at the end of his shift individually rightclickfolder > send to zip on each folder


• Then drags the zip files into the archive after all folders have been zipped using above.

What I am wanting to do is automate this process as there are sometimes 400/500 folders that need to be archived at the end of a shift and one of our users has to literally sit there and waste 45 minutes of time at the end of shift 'archiving'. This is unproductive as each folder can easily be dragged into another folder which is then automated to zip the file and transfer it to the archive automatically. Or so I think.

I am wondering if there is any solution like 7zip or something that could automate a process like this?