What is Document Management?  Document Management (DM) is the process of managing documents from creation, to storage, to retrieval. It can also include automating tasks as well as how work flows through a business.

Why should my business consider Document Management? In a word: efficiency. The ability to find and retrieve information within seconds saves time, and time is money. Productivity increases, customer satisfaction increases, and your business gains a competitive edge.

Is Document Management technology proven?  Yes, it has been around since the 80's. The first adopters of the technology were very large Fortune 100 companies. Since that time, the software industry has sought out both mid-market and small business opportunities.

Can my small business afford Document Management? Most businesses can afford a DM solution. The factors that affect the price include software, hardware (scanner, PC, data storage/backup), and services for consulting, installation and user training. When compared to your current filing system's inefficiencies, a document management system can be far less expensive than what you're spending right now. 

Should I get a Multi Function Printer (MFP) first?  MFP's combine printing, scanning and faxing into one system. While vendors may represent MFP's as a document management solution, they are really just part of the solution (scanning). What is lacking is the software to store and retrieve the scanned images. The software bundled with MFP's fall far from being considered a DM solution. The value in a large MFP is in scanning great quantities of paper. You will still need the software, integration and training.

What industries use document management? In short, any business that generates lots of paper or information. Some examples include medical, legal, insurance, educational, shipping, accounting, among many others.

What happens to existing paper documents? Most businesses choose to start scanning from "this point forward". Others, such as the medical industry, are more likely to scan all patient records to maximize efficiency. Shredding documents is an individual business decision. You may want to consider consulting with your legal council to determine if shredding some/all documents is appropriate. 

How much training is involved? If you can use a web browser to perform research on the Internet, then you have the basic knowledge to use a DM system. Users can be taught the basics in about 10 minutes.