Document Management for Government - Digitizing Records

On The Courier-Post Online today, there's an interesting story about Camden, New Jersey's decision to digitize thousands upon thousands of files and records. This move is one that's often recommended to government agencies by GRM sales representatives. The reasons in favor of shifting government records over to EDM are many, but I'll name just the most simple here.

First, storage of your government records electronically is safer than traditional file storage. If the information is properly backed up and stored in multiple locations - there is virtually zero chance that it will be lost. On the other hand, if a major fire or flood hits your storage space - important files and documentation will be lost forever.

And second, EDM increases efficiency. As much as many of us feel nostalgic for old search-systems like Dewey decimal and other forms of card cataloguing - finding a legal document from December of 1976 if far easier if you have an online search engine at your disposal. By digitizing Camden's back-catalogue, they are guaranteed to cut search times in half.