Import and Export - Contensis is a truly interoperable system

Blueprint XML Import/Export

The Blueprint XML tool allows you to export and import content into and out of the content management system using a standard XML schema.

This tool is very flexible and fully supports all types of meta-data, date created and published dates, as well as all content including, for example, Word documents, images and anything else you can think of.

The Blueprint XML format is often used as a translation layer between systems.

If you are carrying out a migration to Contensis, you may choose to convert the data from your previous system into this format and, once done, it can be imported using the Blueprint XML application.

Data Import Tool

The Data Import Tool is used for migrating data that is stored in a relational database into Contensis. The tool gives you the option to drag and drop tables of data and created relationships as appropriate for importing data. Once a mapping has been configured, you can then run the tool again and again in a batch mode, for example, to import data from internal databases.

The tool is very flexible, and even allows you to process and write code into it, which is then compiled and run at import time.

If you have data in a database and want to get it into Contensis, this tool is the way to go, whether it is a one-off import or a task that will run every day.

File System Import

The File System Import tool is used to import data of the file system. It can import any data into Contensis including, for example, web pages, documents, PDFs etc. When importing web pages, you can map specific nodes in the HTML to specific meta-data or placeholders in the created pages.

This tool is used with huge success for migrating flat file system-based systems into the Contensis CMS.

We have a small video of an example migration of one of our university customers, who have to date now imported over 40,000 pages of content in this way.

The tool allows you to migrate content, specifying placeholder mapping, so you can, for example, exclude menus and template areas and get right to the content.

There are a whole set of options available to fine tune the import of the data. We show below a screenshot of the tool after you have ticked the options to import web pages.

WebDAV

WebDAV enables you to create a virtual drive on your PC directly into the Contensis repository while maintaining your system permissions.

Using this methodology you can either drag files directly from your desktop into Contensis, or directly from Contensis onto your desktop, or any other network drive for that matter.

WebDAV is often used for contributing file based materials such as PDF meeting agendas for councils, or payroll reports for accountancy firms. WebDAV requires no more knowledge than standard Windows Explorer-type functionality.

 

Publish

The publish method is probably the simplest export method. As Contensis publishes flat files via FTP, if you want you can simply copy the data that is published directly from the CMS and use it for any other purpose. We have had customers in the past use the published data to power interactive CD-ROMS, for example.

API 

If you have .Net developers available then they can use the Contensis Open API to interact and import/export any data in any way that is achievable with the .NET Framework. The sky really is the limit here.

Often, customers will create a bespoke Windows application for their end-users to use to facilitate a very specific requirement. The options are endless using the API, and you could create tools such as the tools we have created, if you desire.

Batch Import

The Batch Import Wizard imports data that has been packed into a ZIP file. It will import any number of files and folder structures, assigning permissions when the user is authorised.