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A document management system is originally a computer program (or set of programs) used to track and store paper documents. Modern systems
often also support storage and retrieval of electronic documents in the form of word processor files and the like.
Physical Paper Document Management Systems
Typical systems have the user scan in the original paper document, and store the image of the document in a database of some sort. The image
is often given a name containing the date, and the user is often asked to type in additional "tags" in order to make finding the image easier.
For instance, a user scanning in an invoice might want to tag it with "water, invoice, 1/1/2002".
Slightly more advanced versions also perform an OCR on the image, storing the text along with the image. Although most OCR systems are
notoriously inaccurate, even a few correct words scanned off the page can eliminate the need for the user to type in their own tags.
Once the document is stored, it is typically retrieved using an application that is aware of the way the tags (or scanned text) and image are
related. That way when you search for "invoice", opening the document will in fact open the original image.
Document management systems can save a tremendous amount of time, even in cases with small numbers of documents, like home bill payment or
personal tax preparation. It is somewhat odd that they aren't more widely used, but some of this is likely the fault of the scanning step.
Many systems include their own high-speed black and white scanner to make this step as easy as possible.
Electronic Document Management Systems
Storing electronic documents is somewhat different but follows the same principle. Here, every kind of internal documentation of somebody
(typically a company or corporation) is both written and stored electronically. Printed copies of documents need not even be produced, and
documents may be electronically signed.
Electronic document management systems typically include a workflow model for certifying and electronically signing documents.
Related Topics
Causes of Knowledge Management Failures
Knowledge Management Implementation - Critical Successful Factors
Project Management for Knowledge Management Systems
Content Management System
E-learning - an Overview
Organizational learning
Business Intelligence
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