How To Fight Information Silos With ECM Software
Posted on: 24 March 2020
ECM software is continually evolving into a content services approach. This is in order to reflect the ways in which users create and use information. When you focus on content services when using ECM software, you will be better able to fight information silos.
Information silos are are systems that are not able to operate with other systems. This leads to disparate systems within an organization. Organizations and systems have different priorities and tools. Therefore, they may begin to operate as separate entities within an enterprise. Silos are a problem due to the effect that they have on employee morale and productivity.
Combatting Information Silos
Eliminating information silos requires that developers and workers partner so that software solutions can be created that are more effective. It requires a culture where workers and developers are willing to work together and share information.
Large Document Repository
One of the main contributing factors to the existence of information silos is large document repositories. These repositories make it more difficult to synchronize information in a way that makes it easier to use. For instance, if you have customer information in the form of a PDF, the information contained in the document may not be compatible with other systems.
Content Aggregation
Through content services, enterprises are able to aggregate information into one system. This allows for disparate systems to be connected. Rather than using self-contained repositories, organizations find it easier to use open services. The service will come with its own repository and will also use APIs and connectors to ensure that other repositories can be connected.
External Services
Being able to connect a central repository to other external repositories allows ECM software to take advantage of other services such as:
- Version control
- Indexing
- Records management
- Categorization
These services only need to be accessed when they will be put to use. This also allows for your ECM software to be much more modular.
Modularity
One of the challenges faced by a business is that it may not know all of the ways that it might use data. For instance, you may have a document that must be translated into another language unexpectedly. However, when the document was originally recorded, translation into that language was not a foreseeable necessity. A modular ECM solution that allows plug-and-play options can allow your workers to be more productive and can also allow your tools to grow with your business.
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