Most document management systems force users into a web browser to work with files. infoRouter's WebDAV server removes that requirement. Mount infoRouter as a network drive in Windows Explorer or Mac Finder, and your team can open, edit, and save documents directly. Full version control, permissions, and audit trails work behind the scenes. WebDAV document management means your team keeps working the way they already work, with infoRouter handling the document control they used to skip.
Key Takeaways
- WebDAV document management lets users mount infoRouter as a network drive and edit files directly from Windows Explorer or Mac Finder without a browser.
- Full version control, permissions, and audit trails are enforced automatically during WebDAV document management, with no extra steps from the user.
- WebDAV document management supports any application that implements the RFC 2518 standard, including Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, and mobile clients.
The Problem WebDAV Solves
Without WebDAV, editing a managed document requires downloading it, making changes, and uploading the new version. There is always the risk that someone else edits the same file in the meantime. Files get duplicated. Versions get confused. People bypass the system entirely because the extra steps slow them down.
infoRouter's WebDAV server eliminates that friction. Users open files directly from their file manager, edit in their native application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or anything else that supports the protocol), and save. infoRouter handles the check-in, version numbering, and audit trail automatically.
How It Works
Mount as a Network Drive
Map infoRouter to a drive letter in Windows Explorer or connect via Mac Finder. Every Library, folder, and document appears in your native file manager. The navigation is the same as what you use for local files.
Edit In Place
Double-click a Word document in your mapped infoRouter drive. Word opens. You edit. You save. infoRouter creates a new version, timestamps it, attributes it to your user account, and releases the lock. No download. No upload. No browser.
Drag and Drop
Need to add documents to infoRouter? Drag files from your desktop into the mapped drive. infoRouter imports them into the correct folder with the security and metadata rules that folder enforces.
Full Folder Navigation
All folders, subfolders, and their contents are visible in your file manager. Navigate infoRouter's entire folder structure the same way you navigate any network share.
What Stays Enforced
WebDAV access doesn't bypass infoRouter's document management rules. Everything that applies through the web interface also applies through the file manager:
- Permissions. Folder-level and document-level access controls are enforced. Users see only what they're authorized to see.
- Version control. Every save creates a new version. No overwriting. Full history preserved.
- Audit trails. Every open, edit, and save is logged.
- Authentication. Users log in with their existing infoRouter credentials. Active Directory integration works the same way.
- RFC 2518 compliance. infoRouter implements the WebDAV standard fully, ensuring compatibility across platforms and tools.
Compatible Applications and Platforms
WebDAV is an industry-standard protocol (RFC 2518) supported by a wide range of software:
Operating systems: Windows Explorer (native), macOS Finder (native), Linux file managers (Nautilus, Dolphin)
Office applications: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; LibreOffice; OpenOffice
File management tools: Cyberduck (Windows/macOS/Linux), WinSCP (Windows), Transmit (macOS), WebDrive (Windows/macOS)
Development tools: Adobe Dreamweaver, Eclipse with WebDAV plugins, Cadaver (command-line client for Unix/Linux)
Mobile: Documents by Readdle (iOS), WebDAV Navigator (Android/iOS)
If an application can open and save files over WebDAV, it works with infoRouter.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does WebDAV access bypass infoRouter's security and version control?
- No. All permissions, version control, and audit trails are enforced exactly the same way through WebDAV as through the web interface. Every open, edit, and save is logged.
- Which operating systems support mounting infoRouter as a network drive?
- Windows Explorer, macOS Finder, and Linux file managers such as Nautilus and Dolphin all support WebDAV natively.
- Do I need to manually check documents in and out when using WebDAV?
- No. When you open a file from the mapped drive, infoRouter handles the check-out automatically. When you save and close, it creates a new version, timestamps it, and releases the lock.
- Can I drag and drop files into infoRouter through WebDAV?
- Yes. Drag files from your desktop into the mapped drive, and infoRouter imports them into the correct folder with the security and metadata rules that folder enforces.
See It in Action
If your team would adopt document management faster through their file manager than through a browser, WebDAV is the bridge. Schedule a demo and we'll show you the setup.