Enterprise content management (ECM)
sometimes referred to as document management or records management — is the process (strategies, methods and tools) of managing the entire lifecycle of an organization’s content, including Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, PDF files and scanned images. The goal of an ECM solution is to reduce risk and improve productivity, efficiency and customer service via the elimination of paper-based tasks and the enhancement of process visibility.
What are the features of an ECM solution?
The capabilities of an ECM solution should enable you to build unlimited tailored solutions that integrate and work with your core applications and systems to deliver improved business processes. The features to look out for can be categorized into nine main functions.
This is the critical starting point of your content management journey; capture your documents — even in structured and unstructured formats — and automatically and intelligently extract, classify and validate information before seamlessly integrating it with core business applications. .
Business Process Automation
Streamline critical processes; automate repeatable tasks, route documents, manage exceptions and extend key processes using configurable workflow tools and built-in rules and actions that are easily customizable without the need for IT support.
Content Management
Get a complete view of your processes; automated content management simplifies access to the files you need so your team can make faster, better informed decisions.
Case Management
Get full visibility into an entire case from start to end; staff gets a 360-degree view of all the information they need for effective case management and enhanced customer service.
Collaboration
Secure sharing and collaboration; share content, collaborate on documents and extend related processes to your users, whether internally or externally, in a secure environment.
Search
Find the content you need no matter where it resides; intelligent query tools help search through repositories, sites, email systems, intranets and more from a single platform.
Reporting and Analytics
Discover, analyze and reimagine reporting and analytics; gain visibility into your content and processes in real-time with interactive dashboards and audit trails of all activities.
Records & Retention Management
Meet regulatory and compliance standards; configure automated rules and workflows for easily overlooked tasks like approvals, transfer to storage, archival and deletion.