This article explains how to download, configure, and use WinSCP (a popular SFTP and FTP client for Microsoft Windows that also supports Amazon S3 connections) to upload CSV files to AWS S3 (Amazon Web Services cloud storage) for use with the Data Import Tool (a feature within Assure that enables bulk data imports into Modules using CSV files). It covers downloading WinSCP including the portable executable option, configuring the Amazon S3 file protocol, entering the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key credentials, setting the correct Remote Directory path for each region (UK, UK2, US, APAC), saving the site configuration, connecting to AWS S3, and dragging and dropping a CSV file to the correct path so the Data Import Tool can pick it up. The article also notes post-import behaviour, file retention advice, and how to locate the Customer Key (the unique suffix of the customer's Assure URL). This article is a prerequisite for customers who need to configure recurring data imports via the Assure Data Import Schedule.
Cross-module scope: This workflow involves both the external WinSCP tool and the Assure Data Import Tool (accessible via Settings > System Configuration > Data Import Map and Data Import Schedule). Completing the steps in this article enables the file-upload prerequisite for any recurring module data import configured in Assure.
WinSCP - How to Guide
Summary
WinSCP is a popular SFTP client and FTP client for Microsoft Windows!
This how to guide will help you upload files to AWS S3 for the Assure data import functionality
Downloading and configuring WinSCP
You can download the WinSCP tool here: https://winscp.net/
1) Click download Now
2) Go to other Downloads
3) Look for Portable executables and click download
This will allow you to use WinSCP without installing the application. This is useful if you do not have administrative rights to your machine.
4) Once downloaded, open the file and extract it to a folder of your choice
5) Once extracted, open WinSCP.exe
6) You will be presented with multiple options to upload files
7. Change the File Protocol option to Amazon S3
You will be provided with an Access key ID: and Secret access key:
You can request these keys via the Support Team (Evotix Help). If these are not yet generated, the Support Team will direct you to DevOps (FreshService) who can generate these for you.
8. Enter your Access key ID: and Secret access key: and click Advanced...
9. Click on Directories.
10. Un-tick Remember last used directory
11. for Remote directory: enter the path.
Please note your directory may differ dependant on region - See Below options
UK: /assure-storage-uk-production/dataimport/customerkey
UK2: /assure-storage-uk2-production/dataimport/customerkey
US: /assure-storage-na-production/dataimport/customerkey
APAC: /assure-storage-anz-production/dataimport/customerkey
Your customer key can be found at the end of your URL for accessing Assure, eg: sheassure.net/(customerkey)
12. Press OK at the bottom of the settings configuration panel
13. Click Save, this will allow you to save your settings as a new site
14. You can choose to save your password (Not recommended on shared computers)
15. Click Login - This will now allow you to connect to AWS S3 and allow you to upload files directly to our server
You may click and drag a csv file from your local machine on the left side and drop it onto the AWS S3 file path on the right hand side
The csv will appear on the right side panel - confirming that it is on AWS S3 and ready for the data import tool to pick it up for importing.
Upon a successful data import, your file on AWS S3 will be removed from the server.
Make sure to always keep a copy of the most up to date csv on your local machine for safe keeping
All done!
That should give you all the information you need to upload csv files to AWS S3 for the Assure data import functionality
Product Area: Assure — Data Import Tool, System Configuration
User Role: System Administrator; users with the Manage Data-Import Supervisor Privilege
Tags: WinSCP, AWS S3, Data Import, CSV upload, Data Import Tool, Data Import Schedule, S3 key, Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, Remote Directory, Customer Key, Assure, bulk import, recurring import, file transfer, portable executable
Version/Region: All Assure regions (UK, UK2, US/NA, APAC); all Assure versions
Important synonyms:
- WinSCP = SFTP client, FTP client, S3 upload tool
- Data Import Tool = bulk data import, CSV import tool
- AWS S3 = Amazon S3, S3 storage, cloud storage, remote server
- Customer Key = customer site key, Assure URL suffix
- Access Key ID = AWS access key, S3 access credential
- Secret Access Key = AWS secret key, S3 secret credential
- Remote Directory = S3 path, S3 file path, remote path
- Portable executables = portable WinSCP, no-install version
Keywords: upload CSV to AWS S3, WinSCP Assure data import, configure WinSCP S3, Assure data import file upload, S3 key WinSCP, Access Key ID Secret Access Key Assure, remote directory Assure S3, customer key Assure URL, recurring data import CSV, data import tool CSV upload, WinSCP portable executable, Amazon S3 Assure configuration
Relevant modules and cross-module implications:
- Data Import Tool (Settings > System Configuration > Data Import Map): CSV files uploaded to AWS S3 via WinSCP are consumed by the Data Import Tool to insert or update records across any Assure Module.
- Data Import Schedule (Settings > System Configuration > Data Import Schedule): For recurring imports, the CSV must be re-uploaded to S3 before each scheduled run. This article is a direct prerequisite for configuring a recurring Data Import Schedule.
- All Assure Modules: Because the Data Import Tool supports all modules (e.g., Incident, Risk, People, Equipment Register), the S3 upload process described here is relevant to any module configured for recurring or one-off data import.
- Cross-module note: This workflow bridges an external tool (WinSCP) and external infrastructure (AWS S3) with the Assure platform. The S3 credentials (Access Key ID and Secret Access Key) are provisioned by the Evotix Support Team and are required before this workflow can be completed. The Customer Key is derived from the customer's Assure URL and determines the correct S3 directory path.