Records Management FAQs: It's Not Getting Any Easier By James Thumma, Optical Image Technology

A records management strategy can dramatically improve your business processes by ensuring that information is accessible to authorized personnel at all times. Records are no longer duplicated, misplaced, or lost; and your organization can be assured that information will not be destroyed prematurely. Data that is housed in legacy systems is also available to organizations that use EDM as a component of their records management strategy.

Furthermore, a solid records management strategy guarantees that your company is protected in case of a disaster. Having a single electronic repository for your information makes it possible to access records and share information from any Web browser — whether your employees are across town or on the other side of the world. In the event of a catastrophe, your business has a far greater probability of continuing without interruption.

Internal audits, tracking, and other monitoring applications that are associated with records management assist with periodic review of your system. In addition, they improve accountability as well as decision-making. This allows management to gain a wide overview of your processes at any given moment. Inefficiencies can be addressed proactively, before your bottom line is affected. Customer service, too, is positively impacted with the ability to provide immediate answers to queries.