Direct routing or manual CSV?
CSV is universal and useful for one-off backup or analysis. It becomes harder to operate when contact movement is recurring, suppression must remain current, or several people need to understand the route.
| Need | Manual CSV | OpenContact |
|---|---|---|
| One-time portable file | Strong fit | CSV export available |
| Recurring contact routing | Repeated manual process | Rules and scheduled sources |
| Provider-to-provider migration | Export, transform, import | Direct supported migration |
| Suppression changes after export | Must be reconciled again | Can propagate through rules |
| Source and event history | Usually separate | Canonical record and timeline |
| Pre-send rule testing | Spreadsheet checks | Built-in dry run |
Choose CSV when
The task is truly one-off, the destination is unsupported, or a human review of every row is the goal.
Choose OpenContact when
The flow repeats, several destinations are involved, opt-outs must remain synchronized, or the team needs an auditable operating process.