# Set up documentation storage system

Throughout the assessment process, you will need to store and share documentation related to your assessment with the members of the assessment team, external stakeholders, and the LandScale team. 

If you already have a storage system in place, simply create a dedicated folder within it and grant access to the necessary stakeholders, including the LandScale representative for your region. If you do not yet have a storage system, choose a platform, set up a dedicated folder, and grant access accordingly.

Storage options range from free to paid systems, and from general-purpose to landscape-specific solutions. Some platforms allow you to grant access to external collaborators, while others do not. When choosing a platform, be sure to consider its security features and the permanence of the storage for data traceability—this is especially important for any planned claims. 

Note that you can also upload data directly to the LandScale platform. 

{% hint style="warning" %}
For assurance purposes, we may require you to upload the datasets used to calculate your metric results directly onto the LandScale platform, rather than providing a link to an external storage system.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/kOtJRyvBRuzZti2uXodw" alt=""><figcaption><p>When uploading documentation to the LandScale platform, either upload a file directly or provide a link to your external storage system.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Examples of storage systems

<details>

<summary>LandScale</summary>

LandScale allows you to upload data directly to the platform, which is recommended to ensure long-term accessibility and reduce the risk of data loss. The acceptable file types and size limits depend on the specific section of the platform. For example:

* **Boundary uploads:** Acceptable formats include zipped shapefiles, JSON, or KML files. These must contain a single polygon and use the WGS84 coordinate system.
* **Other data fields:** Supported formats include CSV, Word documents, Excel files, and PDFs. File size restrictions vary depending on the data field.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Terraso</summary>

[Terraso](https://terraso.org/) is a digital platform designed specifically for landscape projects and sustainability initiatives. It offers tools for data storage, sharing, and collaboration within landscape-focused projects. It’s well-suited for initiatives requiring alignment across multiple stakeholders and provides features to manage large datasets.

For more information on how to set up Terraso as a file management system, see the [following section](#set-up-terraso-as-a-file-storage-system).

</details>

<details>

<summary>Google Drive</summary>

[Google Drive](https://workspace.google.com/products/drive/) is a widely-used, cloud-based storage solution offering free and paid plans. It allows for easy collaboration with shared folders and real-time editing of documents through integrated tools like Google Docs and Sheets. External access is simple to manage via shared links, with options to control editing permissions.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Dropbox</summary>

[Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/) offers secure cloud storage and collaboration tools, with a focus on ease of file sharing across teams and organizations. It supports external sharing through links and offers both free and paid plans. Dropbox also integrates with various third-party apps, making it versatile for teams needing cross-platform collaboration.

</details>

<details>

<summary>SharePoint</summary>

[SharePoint](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/sharepoint/collaboration), part of Microsoft 365, provides robust storage and document management features, making it ideal for larger organizations. It supports document versioning, workflows, and access management. SharePoint excels in internal collaboration, but external access may require additional configuration through Microsoft’s ecosystem.

</details>

### Set up Terraso as a file storage system

For those interested in using [Terraso](https://terraso.org/) as a file storage system, LandScale has developed a step-by-step guide on hosting files for landscape assessments. Download the guide below:

{% file src="/files/zWHU5XtbZDKO9oTOuK2o" %}


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