Summary

The data import is the last step before you go live and use Gingr every day. Review and clean up your data before you import, whichever method you choose. Each option has pros and cons. Pick the one that fits your technical skill, time, and how clean your data is. Contact your Customer Support Specialist with any questions.

What This Does

Paid Import

If you are not tech-savvy or do not have the time, we can do the import for you. We do all the work for a fee. You get your backup file and send it to us, and we format the data so it fits Gingr.

Pros: Formatting data into our import template can take days if you are not comfortable with spreadsheets and Excel features such as VLOOKUP. With this option, we format the data for you.

Cons: We import whatever you give us. Customers who complete an import are often surprised at how outdated their information is. Review your existing data closely before you send it. Remove customers you have not seen in years. Review deceased pets, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses, and anything you are unsure about. This can take time. Software systems store and label data in many different ways, and each business uses data fields differently. We cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.

How it works:

• Paid Imports are prescheduled.
• When you are ready, send us a copy of the backup file from your current software.
• We prepare your data for import. We contact you if we have questions about the data or how you want it to look in Gingr.
• The import does not include data you collect after you send us your files. This includes new customers and pets, new, edited, and canceled reservations and appointments, packages purchased and credits used, deposits collected or refunded, customer balances, updated immunization records, and notes.

Free Import

If you have Excel experience and run a tight ship, this option is for you.

This is the final step before you go live. We cannot wipe out test transactions after an import. Make sure your staff has practiced in the app first. If you are not sure you are ready, check with your Customer Success Specialist or see Going Live.

Timeline: 2 business days after we receive your completed template.

Pros: If you can export your current data, this method avoids manual entry into Gingr, and it is free.

Cons: We import whatever you give us. The same data cleanup advice from the Paid Import applies. We cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.

How it works:

• We send you an Excel template to fill out with the information you want to move to Gingr.
• You find the backup file from your current software and use it to fill in the template.
• You send us the completed template to review. If it needs corrections, we send it back with instructions.
• The import does not include data you collect after you send us your files. This includes the same items listed under Paid Import.
• Track new data in an Excel spreadsheet. After the import, you can enter it in Gingr by hand.
• After the import, verify and clean up your data. Add services to reservations and fill in any gap data. Once you confirm everything moved correctly, you can start live transactions.
• We import the data into your app within 2 business days of approving the template.

What Gets Transferred

Each import is as unique as the software it comes from. If the information is available, we can transfer these categories for both Paid and Free Imports.

Client information

• Addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts
• Customer sources (referral sources) and date created
• Account balances
• Notes (public and private)
• Email and SMS preferences

Pet information

• Breed, species, color or markings, weight, and birthday
• Gender. If gender is not in your file, pets import as Male.
• Fixed status. If it is not in your file, all pets are marked Not Fixed.
• Vet information
• Shot expiration dates
• General notes (public and private)
• Feeding notes, grooming notes, medication notes, allergies, and similar

Notice: We do not import deceased or inactive pets.

Future reservations (starting on your go-live date)

• Reservation type and created date. This does not include additional services.
• Check-in and check-out date and time
• Run name
• Deposits collected
• Notes

Remaining package credits

• Positive balances only
• Expiration date

Point of sale

• Product name and description
• Selling price and product cost
• UPC or SKU
• Quantity on hand
• Vendor and manufacturer information
• Image URL

Self-Registration

If you do not have a backup file or your records are out of date, customers can register online. If you plan to use the Customer Portal, you can have all of your customers register there. Invite them as they visit your facility or by email. Some facilities keep a tablet or inexpensive laptop in the lobby for customer self-registration.

Pros: You get 100% up-to-date, accurate information about customers and pets. It is a chance to start fresh without deceased pets, inactive customers, and old contact details. After customers are in the system, it is not hard to enter future reservations, vaccination due dates, and existing credits. Many businesses have had good results, and customers are often glad to register. It is also free.

Cons:

• Some regular customers will not register right away, and you may need to remind them.
• You must enter future reservations, credits, balances owed, vaccination due dates, and retail items by hand. This is often less work than cleaning and formatting years of data for an import.

Manual Entry

If you are moving from pen and paper, or have only a little information to transfer, you can enter it directly into Gingr.

Pros: You have full control over how data is entered.

Cons: Manual entry takes time and always carries some risk of human error.

Related Articles

• Data Management Topic Outline
• Backup Your Database How-To
• How to Clear Test Data How-To