Software Information

Understanding Document Management


The term "document management" and "paperless office" is the subject of countless articles and books. Everyone wants to achieve this lofty goal but not everyone understands what the terms really mean. Before you can embark on the journey of achieving total document management, it's important that you have a good basic knowledge of the terms and concepts that go with it.

Once you start investigating the various software solutions that are available you're going to run into some document management abbreviations, acronyms, and general terms that you might not be familiar with. Here is a "cheat sheet" that will help you to understand the material that you'll encounter as well as the conversations that you'll be having with document management solution providers.

Electronic Document Capture (EDC)

This is the generic term that refers to the entire process of converting paper documents into their electronic equivalents. It covers concepts such as scanning, text recognition, image conversion and indexing for later retrieval. In other words, it is a catchall phrase for the entire document management process.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

OCR is a process that recognizes the printed words that are present on a physical document. OCR is generally used when processing documents that are printed in "normal" printer or typewriter fonts.

Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR)

This process is similar to OCR but is generally capable of also processing certain handwritten documents on special forms. It can also recognize and process "tick marks" and bar codes.

Electronic Document Management System (EDMS)

Sometimes referred to as Document Management (DM) or Document Management System (DMS), this term encompasses not just the electronic conversion of paper documents, but the management of electronically created documents including word processing and email. EDMS systems are used to locate and display documents as well as to maintain different versions of the source document.

Electronic Record Management System (ERMS)

Also known as Record Management (RM) or Record management System (RMS), this term refers to systems that are used to insure that important records such as payroll, human resources, patient records, contracts, etc, are stored and available during their useful lifetime.

Web Content Management (WCM)

Also called a Content Management Systems (CMS), this term refers to software that is used to store and publish content to a web site. A CMS separates the web content from the underlying HTML design so that any authorized person can publish or remove content from a web site without having to know HTML.

Workflow Management (WFM)

WFM systems are used to management document preparation in a structured environment where certain preparation, review, or approval steps have to be done in a defined order. WFM systems direct the documents to the correct people, in the correct order, until the entire process has been completed.

Knowledge Management (KM)

These systems are used to make the total legacy "knowledge" of an organization available to everyone. KM systems eliminate the need for employees to "reinvent the wheel" when dealing with questions, processes, or any other issue that has already been dealt with by someone in the organization. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) system is a good example of a valuable KM system.

Now that you have an understanding of the basic terms that you will encounter, your next step is to determine the type of document management system that best meets your requirements. After that you can begin the process of identifying the available solutions and pick the one that meets your organization's needs.

Cavyl Stewart is the owner of http://www.find-small-business-software.com. Never again slave away at boring tasks inexpensive software can do twice as fast. Find out how by subscribing to her exclusive free 100% orginal content ecourse:"Discover 52 ways to do more with software," by sending a blank email to: 52-ways@getresponse.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Converge Network Digest

Cisco strengthens UC story with PostPath buy
NetworkWorld.com, MA - 13 hours ago
By Tim Greene , Network World , 08/28/2008 Cisco is putting up $215 million for PostPath so it can include the company's e-mail and calendaring software in ...
Cisco to acquire e-mail software provider Postpath Telecom Paper (subscription)
Cisco to Buy PostPath for $215 Million for Software (Update3) Bloomberg
Cisco Buys Software Maker PostPath TheStreet.com
Computer Business Review - VNUNet.com
all 107 news articles


St. Paul Software Maker CodeWeavers Continue Attempt to Motivate ...
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
Once Bush meets a goal, CodeWeavers will offer its software for free for 24 hours on the first day of the following month. More at lameduck.codeweavers.com. ...


San Diego Union Tribune

Upcoming iPhone Software Update to Address Security Flaws
bMighty.com, NY - 10 hours ago
Apple has already issued two firmware updates for the iPhone 3G since its launch, essentially replacing all the built-in software on the phone. ...
Apple To Fix iPhone Security Flaw CRN
Apple Working on IPhone Update to Fix Security Flaw (Update2) Bloomberg
Apple promises September fix for iPhone security flaw Macworld
Reuters
all 89 news articles


Global Medical Devices Company Selects Varicent Performance ...
MarketWatch - 22 hours ago
Varicent Software Incorporated delivers the most innovative sales performance management solution addressing the needs of business professionals across the ...


Software Engineer
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 5 hours ago
Description: SENIOR DEVELOPER needed!!!! Our client is a team of cutting-edge professionals who are motivated to bring web and mobile products and services ...


Wichita Fire Dept. Documents 911 Software Problems
Kansas CW, KS - 4 hours ago
But as soon as new software was installed in April, the department noticed problems. It says CAD or computer-aided dispatch software wasn't sending the ...


Introducing SkyCart.us – an Ecommerce Shopping Cart Software Service
PR.com (press release), NY - 3 hours ago
NEW Results, LLC, a technology solutions company, has just released an ecommerce shopping cart software service that any small businesses can use to sell ...
Introducing Quebert.net – an Email Marketing Software Program ... PR.com (press release)
all 2 news articles


Callidus Software Reports Strong Momentum in Telecom Industry
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
... of effective sales performance management," said Steve Apfelberg, senior vice president of marketing and business development at Callidus Software. ...


Achievo Opens Software Development Center in Wuxi, China
MarketWatch - 13 hours ago
Achievo's new Wuxi offices are located in iPark, a new 150000 square foot technology center that is home to more than 40 companies engaged in software ...


Software business gets Army contract
Florida Today, FL - 4 hours ago
BY SCOTT BLAKE • FLORIDA TODAY • August 29, 2008 Melbourne-based Modus Operandi, a small software technology company, has received a $730000 US Army ...
Indialantic-based firm gets Army small-business deal to make ... Orlando Sentinel
all 2 news articles

Software - Google News

home | site map
© 2006