Guest Column: ECM Basics - Thinking Beyond Paperless Processing

By James Thumma, VP of Sales and Technology, Optical Image Technology

This time of year, two obsessions dominate my time: making sure my department is running efficiently, and pursuing a small round white ball—if I am lucky enough to keep it on the course. It's been said that golf is a game where the ball lies poorly, and the players well; in golf as in life, it's the follow through that makes the difference. While I have no comment about the first observation, the reality of the second statement is evident throughout the business world.

Ben Hogan noted that the most important shot in golf is the next one. This is an important mindset to have if you are considering a transition from paper-based processes to an enterprise content management (ECM) system. Immediately after implementation, ECM serves as a content repository for all of your documents, faxes, records, email messages, images, and other paper and electronic files. It offers the potential for improved document retrieval, a reduction in keying errors, improved privacy measures, and overall process enhancements. Each of these elements will increase efficiency and provide you with a strong ROI. However, it is important to look beyond the immediate gains that your transition will offer, and to take a holistic view of its place within both your business and technology infrastructures.

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