What Is Enterprise Content Management (ECM)?

Managing business information is becoming more of a struggle.  Manual, paper-based content management systems are outdated and unable to keep up with the rapidly growing data in our digital world.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your current filing system?  Perhaps you’re tired of managing both paper records and out-of-control electronic files?  If you’ve ever thought there had to be a better way to simplify your information management system, but you’re not sure where to learn about the best solution for your business, this Enterprise Content Management (ECM) basics blog article is exactly where you should start.

Enterprise Content Management (ECM) is the logical solution to save time and money, and increase efficiency throughout any-sized company, but what exactly is an ECM system?  This blog article provides the tools you need to fully understand ECM basics that can help you take the first step towards efficient business information management.  In this blog article, you will learn how the four steps of ECM can securely collect, organize, deliver, and store any type of information without tedious paperwork or outdated File Share and Store (FSS) applications.

After benefiting from this ECM basics blog article, you’ll be prepared to find the perfect solution for your business information needs, or ready to better help your clients understand what ECM can do for them.  Microtek and Digitech Systems have decades of ECM experience, so this is your chance to learn from the experts.

Information is rapidly growing.  It’s easy for documents to get out of control and affect the efficiency of processes across the organization.  The purpose of an ECM system is to manage every type of business information in a consistent, secure way that enables simple workflows and timely processes.  Before you can manage a piece of information, paper or digital, you need to understand how that piece is collected, organized, delivered, and stored.

ECM 101: The Basics and Four Steps

What is ECM?

Enterprise Content Management (ECM) is an overarching term to describe the technologies and business processes used to collect, organize, deliver, and store information.

In a business, there can be many moving parts when it comes to managing information.

Businesses receive information electronically, in the mail, via email, or even fax.  These days, being able to access this information is important, no matter the format it originally came in.  Not being able to locate information is frustrating, and ECM can help.

ECM is about more than just managing information, it’s also about managing people and processes.

“The digital universe will grow 5.3 times by 2025.  There are more digital bits than there are stars in the universe.  By 2025, the digital universe will grow from 33 zettabytes to 175 zettabytes.”
– IDC

As businesses try to manage this growing amount of data, it is becoming clear that the processes they are currently using will not be sufficient in the near future.

“The ECM market size is expected to grow from $32 billion in 2017 to $67 billion by 2022, an estimated CAGR of 16.2%.”
– MarketsandMarkets

Information must be collected and managed in such a way it can help businesses reach their goals faster.  What if you could give your customers a system that combined all their data into one, easy-to-use system?

Combining data into one system can help businesses automate processes and eliminate manual tasks such as data entry and document routing.

Automation frees up workers to focus on more important business tasks.

“52% of businesses believe administrative staff would be 33% more productive with automation.”
– AIIM

Luckily, ECM helps you more efficiently manage your documents in four steps.

Step One: Collecting Information

Traditionally, a business collects and sorts information manually.  Next, the documents are delivered manually to whomever needs them for processing.  But now, thanks to imaging or capture software, such as PaperVision Capture, paper files are easily scanned and converted into digital images.

Step Two: Organizing Information

Now that the documents are digital, they are classified and sorted by type.  After the documents have been sorted by type, an artificial intelligence engine, such as PaperVision Forms Magic, can be used to read and extract data from the document automatically.

Step Three: Delivering Information

After the data has been extracted, the documents are automatically sent on to the next person for processing by workflow software, such as PaperVision Enterprise Workflow.

Step Four: Storing Information

Now the documents are sent to the ECM solution, such as PaperVision Enterprise or ImageSilo, for storage.  Documents are secure, safe, and instantly searchable from any location at any time.

Still have questions about ECM and how it can help your business?  Would you like any additional information or a free and no obligation consultation and estimate?  If so, please don’t hesitate to call us at 314-872-3322 or 800-264-2808 and ask for Aaron Liess or Mark Sandheinrich, or email us at sales@microtekstl.com.  We want to show you how Microtek’s over 50 years of experience can help you and your organization.  So why wait?  Get started with ECM today!