> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.shovels.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is Shovels EDL (Enterprise Data License)?

> Shovels EDL delivers complete permit/contractor datasets to Snowflake, BigQuery, or Databricks. Best for bulk analysis with more fields than API.

**The Shovels Enterprise Data License (EDL) delivers complete permit and contractor datasets directly to your data warehouse (Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks) or as Parquet files.** EDL includes more fields than the API and is best for bulk data analysis, while the API is better for real-time lookups and integrations.

## When to Choose EDL

The **EDL** is ideal when you need:

* Every contractor across multiple counties
* All available data fields
* Data delivered directly to your data warehouse
* Complete monthly dataset updates
* Complex SQL joins and queries

The **API** is better for:

* Looking up specific addresses and contractors
* Product integrations
* Local lead lists
* Real-time queries

## Data Delivery Options

### Destinations

EDL data can be pushed directly into:

* Snowflake
* Databricks
* BigQuery
* Or delivered as Parquet files

### File Format and Size

Data is typically delivered as **15-20 GB of Parquet files**, optimized for efficient data processing in modern data environments.

Other available formats:

* Parquet (preferred)
* CSV
* JSON

## What's Included

EDL provides access to:

* Complete permit dataset
* Full contractor database
* Resident data
* All available fields (more than API)
* Historical data

## Key Features

### More Fields Than API

Flat file deliveries contain significantly more data fields than API access, including:

* Applicant email
* Owner email
* Additional property details

### No Latency Issues

Direct data delivery eliminates API latency concerns for large-scale analysis.

### Monthly Updates

Each delivery includes all historical data plus new permits and updates, providing a complete and current view.

## Ongoing Support

Yes, ongoing support is available through regular calls to help interpret and work through the data as needed.

## Getting Started

Contact [sales@shovels.ai](mailto:sales@shovels.ai) to discuss your enterprise data needs.

## Related Articles

* [Monthly deliveries explained](/docs/knowledge-base/edl/monthly-deliveries)
* [Record tracking](/docs/knowledge-base/edl/record-tracking)
* [Pricing structure](/docs/knowledge-base/getting-started/pricing-structure)