Optimize Your Document Migrations with Fast2: File Extraction and Scanning

Many businesses turn to NAS (Network Attached Storage) as a quick and cost-effective solution for document storage and data management. While it provides easy access and scalability, companies soon face major challenges: unstructured data, limited metadata management, and lack of advanced search capabilities. This is where Fast2 comes to the rescue. Instead of forcing organizations to migrate everything to a brand-new system from scratch, Fast2 enhances, structures, and unlocks the full potential of existing NAS-stored documents. With its powerful AI-driven metadata enrichment, automated classification, and seamless integration, Fast2 transforms raw, unstructured content into a strategic asset—ready for business intelligence, compliance, and enterprise-wide knowledge management.

It is a full-scale document intelligence upgrade, and this series of videos takes you step by step through the journey:

• Step 1: Extraction & Scanning (this video) – Retrieve documents from NAS, detect patterns, and prepare metadata. 
• Step 2: Metadata Transformation – Dynamically refine and structure metadata for better classification.
• Step 3: Storage & Pairing – Move documents into AWS S3 alongside structured JSON metadata for future processing. 
• Step 4: AI-Powered Enrichment – Use AI to analyze, validate, and enhance metadata, turning raw documents into structured, searchable assets.

With Fast2, automated document processing is more than just moving files. It is about bringing intelligence to unstructured data, making content easier to find, classify, and integrate into enterprise knowledge systems.

Why is this first migration step crucial?

When migrating documents, the way files are structured plays a significant role in the success of the process. The organization of folders provides valuable metadata, which can be leveraged to make the transition smoother. With Fast2, documents are not simply transferred; they are enriched with business-relevant metadata extracted from their original locations.

In this first phase, we focus on retrieving documents from a local file system and moving them into an AWS S3 bucket, while ensuring each file carries structured metadata. This approach enhances intelligent document recognition, classification, and long-term content management.

Configuring the Workflow in Fast2

Before launching the migration, we analyze the folder structure. Many files follow a consistent naming pattern, making it possible to extract metadata dynamically. For instance, the first part of the folder name can represent a category, while the second part can denote a specific attribute. However, not all files fit this mold, requiring some adjustments during processing.

Setting up Fast2 for this extraction is straightforward: we create a new workflow, select the file system scanning module, define the root directory, and initiate the process. The system scans all files, automatically identifying key metadata elements.

Extracting and Structuring Metadata

Once the scan is complete, Fast2 provides insights into the data collected. Each document retains its original filename as an identifier, while its full file path helps categorize and extract business-specific metadata. This is where Fast2’s true potential starts to emerge: by automating metadata extraction, it eliminates manual intervention, reducing errors and saving time.

This initial scan is just the beginning. Fast2 offers additional modules to refine and enhance metadata extraction. Whether integrating AI-powered data management for intelligent classification, automating metadata tagging, or applying validation rules, the platform adapts to different business needs.

Next Steps: opening the door to enhanced documents through AI

Extracting documents is only part of the equation. The next stage in our migration journey involves refining and enriching metadata further. In the upcoming video, Fast2 will showcase its advanced capabilities by dynamically mapping and transforming metadata, using unstructured data AI solutions to add even greater structure and intelligence to the migration.

Why Fast2?

Fast2 isn’t just a document classification software; it’s a comprehensive document intelligence platform. From automated document processing to metadata extraction, it ensures that every file is classified and enriched for better usability. Whether dealing with NAS document indexing, handling data migration challenges, or structuring unstructured data with AI, Fast2 provides a scalable and efficient solution.

🎬 Watch the full video below and subscribe to stay updated on the next steps: 

Useful Resources:

• 🔗 Fast2 Official Website
• 🔗 Fast2 Documentation
• 🔗 AWS S3 Overview
• 🔗 More Fast2 Tutorials

💡 Questions or ideas? Leave a comment under the video, and let's discuss the best practices for optimizing your own migrations!