Adopting a document management system means moving your existing files into it. Most organizations have thousands of documents scattered across file shares, desktops, and legacy systems. infoRouter's bulk document import software, the Import/Export Tool, is a desktop application that lets you drag and drop entire folder structures into infoRouter, preserving hierarchy, metadata, and file properties across large-scale migrations.
It also works in reverse: export documents from infoRouter to a local drive when you need offline copies or backups.
Key Takeaways
- The document import export tool moves entire folder structures into infoRouter via drag-and-drop, preserving directory hierarchy and file properties across large-scale migrations.
- A server-side installation option gives the document import export tool direct Warehouse access, bypassing the web layer for maximum throughput on bulk operations.
- The document import export tool works in both directions: import files into infoRouter and export documents to a local drive for offline access or backup.
- Organizations use the document import export tool to migrate from shared file servers, replace legacy DMS platforms, perform periodic bulk updates, and archive historical records.
How the Import/Export Tool Works
The Import/Export Tool is a standalone desktop application that connects directly to your infoRouter instance.
- Navigate to any local or network directory. The tool sees everything the user's Windows account can access.
- Select files or entire folder trees. Drag them into an infoRouter folder. The tool recreates the directory structure automatically.
- Export from infoRouter to desktop. Drag documents from infoRouter to a local directory for offline access or backup.
- Server-side installation option. When installed on the infoRouter server, the tool accesses the Warehouse directly, bypassing the web layer for significantly faster throughput on large imports.
Migration Scenarios
Moving from a shared file server
Your organization has documents on a network drive organized into department folders. The Import/Export Tool maps that structure directly into infoRouter Libraries. Departments become folders, subfolders stay intact, and files retain their original formats.
Replacing a legacy DMS
Migrating from an older document management system? Export the files to a staging directory, then use the Import/Export Tool to move them into infoRouter in bulk. Combined with infoRouter's Web Services API, metadata from the legacy system can be mapped and preserved during the transition.
Periodic bulk updates
Teams that work on large document sets offline, such as engineers, legal teams, and field operations, can export a folder, work on the documents locally, and import the updated files back into infoRouter.
Archiving historical records
When legacy file repositories need to be brought under managed control for compliance or retention purposes, the Import/Export Tool moves them into infoRouter where retention schedules, audit trails, and access permissions take effect immediately.
Why IT Teams Choose This Tool for Migrations
- Folder structure preservation. Directory hierarchies map directly into infoRouter folder trees.
- Server-side performance. Direct Warehouse access eliminates web-layer overhead on large jobs.
- Two-way operation. Import and export from the same interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Import/Export Tool preserve folder structures during migration?
- Yes. When you drag a folder tree into infoRouter, the tool recreates the entire directory hierarchy automatically. Departments become folders, subfolders stay intact, and files retain their original formats.
- Can we use the tool to export documents for offline work?
- Yes. The tool works in both directions. You can export documents from infoRouter to a local directory for offline access, work on them locally, and then import the updated files back into infoRouter.
- Is there a way to speed up large migrations?
- Yes. When installed on the infoRouter server, the Import/Export Tool accesses the Warehouse directly, bypassing the web layer for significantly faster throughput on large bulk operations.
- Can we preserve metadata from a legacy DMS during migration?
- The Import/Export Tool handles file and folder structure migration. For metadata mapping from a legacy system, it can be combined with infoRouter's Web Services API to map and preserve metadata fields during the transition.
See It in Action
Schedule a demo and we will walk you through a bulk import scenario. Whether you are migrating from a file share, replacing a legacy DMS, or consolidating distributed repositories, we can show you how it works.