A quality document management system is a must for any business. You could establish your
company up to great success by safely storing your critical documents electronically and safely.
But how do you choose a document management system? After all, it is a crowded field with lots
of different vendors offering many other products. It is essential that you not only find a good
product but one that meets your specific needs. Here are some things to consider before making
your purchase
Security
The primary reason to install a document management system is that it acts as a virtual secure
storage and retrieval platform. With the most comprehensive security features available in any
service level agreement (SLA), your private archive can be safely backed up to the highest levels
of security with no risk of unauthorized access. The two most common file types in most systems
are PDF and HTML, but other formats may be used. Consult your vendors to identify what is
most appropriate for your use.
Performance
Just as important as security is privacy, speed is an essential factor when looking at the various
document management systems available. Your online business grows, so does the amount of
information being stored. It is especially true if you operate a service that accesses documents
from outside the organization, such as customer orders or requests for information from a remote
location. Modern cloud services have made it possible to utilize your data in new ways. Hence,
your system must allow you to rapidly and easily access and manage the information at any
given moment. Be sure that your documents are always accessible, even if your business grows.
Document Management System Requirements
Before you start looking at different Document Management System, it is critical to understand
what a good DMS must do. It would help if you first determined what types of documents you
will be storing. Once you know what you plan to keep, you should also decide what features to
manage these documents effectively. For example, suppose your company plans on storing
medical records. In that case, you may want to include features such as electronic medical record
(EMR) integration, so your EMR system will also allow you to access medical records
electronically.
Document Management Systems and Security
A well-implemented DMS will store all documents electronically, safely, and efficiently. Your
service provider should ensure that all document types are easily accessible. You may want to
choose a company that offers managed document storage and DMS, so your service provider can
take care of the security and accessibility of your electronic documents. With managed DMS, a
company can eliminate paper documents and storage of multiple versions of the same document
in multiple folders.
Indexing and Search Features
Many companies offer a feature-rich indexing system, but you may not need all of these
functions. If you have a good DMS and an efficient indexing system, you will only need a few
features in your document management system. Search, and retrieval, metadata, and revision
history are usually found in comprehensive document management systems. If you only plan on
indexing documents and sending email notifications, you may be better served by a more
specific product.
Productivity Levels
This is one of the most important questions when considering which document management
software is right for your company. If you are a small business, you likely do not have a lot of
time to focus on productivity levels. However, your larger competitors who offer more
comprehensive product features often provide better productivity levels because they have the
resources to support their customers' productivity. A good DMS will allow you to easily keep
track of changes and get quick feedback on those changes to make them quickly effective. Keep
this in mind when looking at the different document management software options.
Software Updates
You will never eliminate software updates unless you move to the clouds. In most cases,
software updates require you to deploy physical hardware, meaning you would have to pay for
upgrades from your primary site. However, several DMS solutions can work with the cloud
computing service provider to ensure you get timely software updates. DMS software should
always work in conjunction with software updates so that your system always works in sync with
your customers.