Learning how to use the importer is the first step in importing historical data into the Handshake platform.
About the Importer
The importer is a tool developed by Handshake designed to make importing historical data into Handshake safe and easy. The importer intelligently analyses files and can provide feedback on any issues before they impact your live instance.
The Importer is a bit complex and handles a lot of sensitive data, so we ask that you watch this 10 minute video before accessing the tool.
The video below contains the information you need to know about using the Importer, and will also provide instructions on gaining access. After watching the video, contact support here to get access. Make sure to include your institution's point of contact to approve your request.
Getting the Data from a Legacy System
Most legacy career management systems that universities use before Handshake support a front-end reporting experience that career teams are experienced in using.
Access to these reporting tools are generally all that is required to pull key legacy data out of the platform and into Handshake.
Deciding What Data to Import
While Handshake supports importing a broad set of legacy data into the platform, as a general rule we suggest bringing in the least amount of data possible while still meeting business requirements.
Handshake was designed with data integrity and cleanliness in mind. This attention to data integrity is not present in many other systems and it is possible to 'pollute' Handshake's clean data model by bringing in large numbers of records from legacy systems.
Handshake's implementation team will work with each university to ensure there is a strategy for bringing the right data into the Handshake platform.
Supported Data Types
The importer is designed to make importing legacy data easy. Below you will find links to the most common data types imported into Handshake.
Required: These are required to successfully launch Handshake
Optional: These can be imported into Handshake via the importer
- Labels
- Appointment Types
- Attendees (for events and fairs)
- Buildings
- Career Services Staff (Admin) accounts
- Historical Appointments
- Historical First Destination Survey Responses
- Notes (Advising, student, contacts)
- Rooms
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