Document Management Systems: All information about DMS

The collection, distribution, storage, processing and archiving of documents, is a fixed process component of daily document management in organisations. And don’t forget: Erasure of and searching for documents.

It is clear that paper based processes are an obstacle at this point – time intensive, unclear, alongside all the other disadvantages of the medium of paper. Digital document management can help here, and brings you a big step forward in the digital transformation. You can read how a document management system (DMS) works, what should be noted and what advantages it brings the company, below.

EASY DMS: Highlights, Functions, Benefits What is Document Management?Why Document Management?How does a DMS works?DMS and Workflows

Versioning of Documents Revision Security DMS Systems and Archiving DMS Integration: Connection to the ERP DMS: What to Consider?

Highlights of the DMS: Brings structure to your documents and data

EASY DMS (Document Management System) is a powerful, flexible and scalable ECM solution. This makes it the ideal document management system for large companies, medium-sized businesses and small businesses. DMS software that turns your corporate information and digital archiving into a business resource. Become faster and more efficient, with more process security. We’ll tell you how.

The document management system from EASY makes the step into the digitalisation of your business processes possible. No matter whether your data and documents are stored on company servers or in the cloud: Get started with EASY DMS – thanks to intuitive, easy-to-understand operation. A document management system can be that simple. With EASY DMS, you can look forward to easier access to your data, whether documents, vouchers, etc.

Digital document capture

Reduce your effort. Capture, extract, and index documents in no time with this powerful OCR solution from EASY SOFTWARE. Automated, rule-based, and from any conceivable source, from paper invoice to email.

Digital document capture

Archiving

EASY Archive is an archiving solution with an impressive scope and low administrative effort. Configuration and administration are quick and easy. The integrated database is maintenance free.

Archiving

Electronic file

Access important documents for a business process anytime without a long search? The EASY SOFTWARE digital file makes that possible – including revision-proof storage.

E-File

Workflow

Manage and automate document-based workflows without major effort with EASY Workflow thanks to the modeling of rule-based processes via MS Visio. Process monitoring and escalation management are already integrated.

Workflow Management

Email management

Keep an overview even with lots of email, assign individual email to a business process, link to other documents, and last but not least archive them revision-proof? With the EASY SOFTWARE email management, it’s child’s play.

Email Archiving

Integrations

EASY DMS can be integrated simply in almost any application. A variety of integrations are already available as standard – for a stable, cross-application information flow.

Schnittstellen

Digital Signature

Legally compliant digital signatures with EASY

The trustworthiness and integrity of digital documents (invoices, contracts, etc.) is close to our hearts. That’s why EASY DMS offers the option to sign documents digitally. This is how people sign today. Easier, more secure, and above all, faster. Learn more about EASY eSignature.

Sign documents digitally

The Functions of DMS Software

https://youtu.be/F_eDySHfdUw

EASY DMS steht für Dokumentenmanagement mit System. Intuitiv, leicht – und bewährt. (https://youtu.be/F_eDySHfdUw)

The Solution

EASY DMS stands for document management with system. For an enterprise information management tool that combines state-of-the-art document management and flexible content management in one platform for the optimisation of all document-based activities and seamless cooperation in your company. Powerful functions support employees in processing, categorising, and versioning documents, digitising paper documents and electronic documents from outside the company, and even managing incoming information as if it came from in-house.

Initial Situation – Documenten Management

The manual storage of information in paper files is extremely time-consuming as well as being a rather demotivational activity for employees. At the same time, it slows down your company. Long transport and waiting times drag out business processes unnecessarily and delay subsequent tasks and processes. Often there is also a lack of transparency regarding current processes and contents. Information can’t be found immediately, limiting information access – even when fast reaction is called for. A digital document management system, on the other hand, helps your company to make the right choices.

DMS Software as New Filing System: Structured & Intuitive

EASY DMS connects business processes with their respective documents and data. Thus, the ECM solution provides a common information base for all users. Online-based: no matter where they are working, because the intuitive EASY client makes your document management web-based. Instead, your employees are able to store your information and documents in EASY DMS right from the start. In customer files, for example, or files for suppliers, projects, buildings, claims or much more. And on top of that, it can be quickly implemented.

Your Benefit Through Digital Document Management

All this makes EASY document management system the ideal DMS/Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution for companies of all sizes. In addition, it can also be implemented quickly. Our document management solution offers numerous out-of-the-box management solutions, such as contract management, order management, incoming invoice processing, personnel management and much more.

More transparency: structured storage of information and documents
Greater process efficiency: easy location and fast forwarding of information
Better cooperation: central data retention facilitates common use of documents
High traceability: thanks to versioning and logging
Comply securely with SLAs: thanks to deadline management with several escalation levels

Fast training: even new employees can work securely with the system after a brief introduction
More flexibility: information is available anywhere – around the clock
Lower maintenance: thanks to central administration
High security: thanks to a finely graduated rights concept and detailed logging

Document Management
Resources

Discover useful whitepapers, webinar recordings, guides and checklists on DMS.

Learn more

How the digital signature works – The guide to electronic signatures
This guide tells you everything you need to know about digital signatures in corporate use; key facts and legal aspects are summarized compactly.
Learn more

Webinar: SAP in the Cloud – Data Archiving S/4Hana
This session will introduce a new full-service concept for data management for customers of both current versions of SAP and the latest S/4 HANA using the newly launched EASY Cloud platform.
Learn more

Checklist: Introduction Of A Document Management System
The importance of introducing a DMS should not be underestimated because, after all, it has an impact on all areas of the company. Good preparation is therefore crucial. To ensure that the DMS introduction in your company is a success, we accompany you step by step on this path with our checklist and provide you with assistance for the individual project phases.
Learn more

Definition: What is digital document management (DMS)?

Document Management Examples

Basically, there are four different types of DMS. To some extent, the short history of document management becomes apparent through this differentiation. At the same time, the advantages and disadvantages of the four DMS procedures become clear.

The file server as DMS vs. database aided document management systems

The storage of documents in tree structured storage locations, e.g. on file servers, network drives, inboxes and similar, replaces one problem with another: A paper one for a digital one. This means that documents disappear into unclear index structures. And document storage alone requires discipline – from an agreed naming structure for files to the right storage location to tagging, if the latter is possible. As a rule, this type of DMS software proves to be inadequate for daily document management.

Using such systems as a replacement for a document management system is counterproductive. The contents of the documents are often not searchable, Metadata is missing, to say nothing of workflows, versions etc. Only file names and directory paths serve as information carriers.

Monolithic document management systems vs. DMS as a service

Current document management systems work according to the following pattern: A document is compiled, certain document information is selected, a document ID is assigned. The document and the Metadata are stored in a database. The big advantage: Via the document ID, the document remains clearly identifiable, and is not lost in the DMS. The disadvantage: To access the DMS, you need DMS software installed on the local computer.

However, the exception confirms the rule. This means that document management systems exist, that provide the user with a browser based DMS webclient for day to day work. Therefore, installation of software on the local computer is superfluous.

This also applies to a DMS in the Cloud. Therefore, the DMS can be accessed via the browser of your choice: Anytime, anywhere, even via Smartphone/tablet. However, a Cloud-DMS also brings many other advantages: As with so many other software as a service offers (SaaS), the service provider also takes on the maintenance of the Cloud-DMS, and ideally ensures the flawless operation of the document management system; so, e.g. the provider carries out regular, automated backups. Thus, a Cloud document management system also has lower associated IT costs. However, at this point, everything lives and dies by the content-related design of the service agreements. Service lives, number of users, data volume used etc. are amongst the most important factors, that determine the costs for the Cloud-DMS.

Cloud DMS — Picture: Gone are the days of endless searching in a chaotic order structure. In the digital document management system, your documents are neatly stored and can be found at any time.

According to the DMS system used, electronic document management has various other functions. Important, frequently used DMS functions are: Revision security, versioning, archiving, requirements for privacy protection compliance, workflows, group based authorisations and many more. Especially for distributed organisations, i.e. companies with several locations, a document management system simplifies and accelerates the day to day work tremendously.

What is a document in the context of the DMS?

Ultimately, a document stored in a DMS system, contains more information than purely the document content.

Additional information accompanying the document is described as Metadata. These are also assigned to the document, e.g.

Project number and nameezeichnung
Creation date
Version
Status
Cost center
Checker etc.

These Metadata can either be automatically obtained from the document, or added to the DMS via manual tagging. When carried out consistently and uniformly, this helps make searching for documents quicker. Furthermore, documents of a process can be summarised in so called folders, also called electronic files, without further ado. At this point, it becomes very clear, that a document management system very quickly takes on the status of the Holy Grail of information.

Why Document Management?

Contemporary document management systems help to significantly shorten both process run times and the time for the preparation of documents in the company. Therefore, a DMS system supports business processes of all kinds. Of course, this requires a database supported DMS (see diagram “…..”). Certain user groups have access to the documents relevant to them in the DMS, regardless of the location (see diagram “Cloud-DMS”).

Furthermore, a DMS should also flank, improve and simplify other processes. For example HR processes, incoming invoice processing, P2P-processes etc. The keyword here is “DMS Workflow”. Essentially, workflow means the fact that the document management combines and automates further tasks. For example, deadline monitoring, escalation management, holiday cover etc.

How does a digital document management system work?

Documents or generally speaking: Information is available in two different forms in companies: Already electronic or still in paper form. This information must first be entered into the document management system – yet how does that work and what happens in the DMS as a result?

Entry of information into the document management system

According to the media type, recording documents can take on different forms in the DMS. If the information is already available in electronic form, contemporary document management systems are able to transfer this information to the DMS largely automatically. To record paper based documents, as a rule, a DMS uses a scanner with optical character recognition (OCR) for digital document capture.

According to the document type – or more generally: Information type – certain formats exist. For example information which has been transferred with one of the many formats of Electronic Data Interchance (EDI). For example: Sales invoices, bills of lading, orders, shipping notifications, account statements, design specifications, insurance claims etc.

Document management systems and structured data – a perfect duo

The advantage of such structured data for a DMS is obvious – because the data are stored in a fixed location, forever.

As long as the creator of the invoice complies with the agreed specification, it is easy to process the structured information of the incoming invoice automatically in the document management system. It is also clear, that a workflow started via such media, is the be all and end all for flawless business processes.

Weakly structured data for document management – OCR-Technology is key

It looks very different for documents and information in paper form. The common way in the document management system is via so called scanning. I.e. The documents must first be digitised via a scanner. What is important at this point: The scanning software of the scanner or a downstream software must have optical character recognition (OCR). In this way, the textual elements of the document are entered, and ideally allocated accordingly – and that is the most important source of information for a DMS using this medium. As a rule, these processes for the entry of content are developed and improved over the years, and consequently very precise – always with the requirement and assumption that the data featured in the document remains consistent. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and therefore a stumbling block for the subsequent workflow of the relevant business processes.

Distribution of information in the document management system

From now on, everything will remain digital, and media disruptions will no longer happen. A great advantage of a DMS is that all documents and information is automatically directed to the relevant company departments.

Where the documents and/or information are ultimately transported, is primarily dealt with by the DMS using the categorisation made. Via recognised and selected information, the document management system can determine for example: A document is a bill of lading, an incoming invoice or a contract etc.

It is at this point that a DMS has an important advantage: Because now, a contemporary document management system can engage with so-called workflows.

Document management systems and workflows – sit back and let it work

Document transport and the processing of documents in the individual departments, can be carried out completely electronically with a modern DMS. In the course of a workflow, a document management system automatically sends documents to the relevant processors or groups within or outside of the company, using defined parameters (category, project, customer number etc.). What is important at this point: Thereby, it is not the document itself that is sent, but rather the link to the relevant document in the document management system. Notification occurs either in the DMS system itself or by e-mail. This has the advantage that the document remains accessible to all other authorised employees during the whole workflow. This means that copies of documents are as much a thing of the past, as the complexity that arises from it.

A good document management system stands out, by allowing the option of two types of workflows: Ad-hoc workflows for tasks that occur rarely, and more comprehensive, fixed workflows for recurring tasks. The difference between the two: Ad-hoc-workflows can be created and set up quickly if needed, but have no previous fixed process model. Therefore, they are the right tool to solve simple tasks, that only arise in the course of a working day: E.g. You notice for the second time, that invoices from the customer XY are raised during processing. As you use discount revenues and want to avoid reminder fees, you and your work colleagues can easily be informed when the case occurs, via the document management. Read more about more comprehensive workflows under complex workflows in the DMS.

Examples of DMS-workflows

The most important DMS feature is the classification and appropriate storage of documents. As illustrated, workflows can also be established in the document management system. This applies to all documents. And especially when combining DMS workflows with ECM or ERP systems, time saving simplifications can be carried out.

Tasks and deadlines – workflows in the DMS

An easy and very basic workflow, which can be implemented with a document management system, is task and deadline monitoring. This is very easy to do. On arrival in the DMS, a document is sent to a group of processors – and the document has a fixed time “attached”, a “deadline”, by which the task relating to the document must be completed. If no-one takes care of the task by this time, the escalation management will get involved. That means: There will be a reminder about the unresolved situation. If none of the affected employees react to the reference to the DMS workflow, automated notifications could for example be escalated to the team leader.

More complex DMS-workflows

Of course, more comprehensive workflows can also be implemented with a document management system: for example the incoming invoice workflow. It is easy to recognise that this workflow consists of several factual and technical tests – with subsequent transfer to a ERP system to post the invoice and ultimately archiving.

Versioning of documents in the DMS

The topic of versioning and version control is becoming increasingly important in the area of document management. Keyword “traceability”. Originally, the problem of versioning and version control comes from software development (the tools there to solve it: RCS, CVS, Subversion, Git etc.).

The problem in the context of document management can be illustrated as follows: By processing a document, various versions of the document are created within the DMS over the course of time. If several people are working on document, this will result in several versions of the document. Sooner or later, all processors will wonder which version of the document is the most current. Document management systems solve this problem, by ideally creating a time stamp with ID of the processor for each version, and presenting it to the observer. Of course, you can also travel into the version history of a document via a DMS – this means that all changes to the document remain traceable in the document management system.

Document management: Documents and revision security

The described versioning of documents within the DMS system is surely one of the most helpful functions. A question that continually arises in this context, is about the revision security of documents. What does revision security mean? Short answer: You want to ensure that a document is not changed or manipulated, during the lifetime in the document management system – without it being noticeable.

However, how can a document management system ensure the revision security of a document? An example for illustration: Who would feel able to take a document out of a pool of 1000 documents, and say: That is an unchanged document?

To ensure this, a modern DMS has checksums. Such checksums, also called hash values, are calculated from the document content. These hash values are clear. This means: the same document content, the same checksum. And a changed document then inevitably means a different checksum. The DMS system takes on this task in the background and shows the calculated status.

Revisionssicherheit: Vergleich zweier Dokumente — Picture: These two documents look completely the same at first sight. But even if only one invisible pixel is changed, the checksum changes, which can always be used to verify the document.

DMS systems and archiving

In most cases, a DMS system also has an archive and/or an interface between the document management system and the archive system. You must ensure this option. The reason is clear. On the one hand, you want to relieve the document management system. On the other hand, you are faced with the task of having to archive certain types of documents for six and/or ten years. Keyword “Tax office (GoBD [The principles for duly maintaining, keeping and storing books], sect. 147 Tax Code etc.).” For both cases, an archive will help you.

As a rule of thumb, anything that is no longer required for day to day work, is moved from the DMS system to the archive. This means that you relieve the productive system. All other documents with a mandatory archiving requirement, also belong in the archive of the document management system. Documents of this type would be for example wage payments, personnel files, annual financial statements, invoices and much more.

Modern systems for document management have this archiving function, and/or a link to an archive. This makes archiving child’s play. It is also quite easy to deal with the archive on a day to day basis: Because you can start searching (also called information retrieval) for archived content directly in the DMS application. Instead of taking the laborious path into the archive, use the convenient search function of a modern DMS. Thanks to good tagging and existing Metadata, and the information gained from the full text search (OCR) you can find the exact search result in the document management system much quicker. Whatever the source of the document was – from paper document to e-mails to media already appearing in a structured data format. In short: A modern data management system frees you from laborious, time intensive and literal search processes.

DMS-Integrations: Document management systems and connection to the ERP and other systems

Of course a DMS can only be used to full effect when it is linked to an ERP system. Therefore, when choosing a document management system, it must be ensured that the DMS has the right interfaces and/or APIs for the ERP systems used. Because: Both systems – DMS- and ERP system – mutually complement each other at this point. How does that work and what are the advantages?

For clarification: Whilst the Enterprise Resource Planning-System (ERP) has the master data of suppliers, an incoming invoice arrives with the company via the document management system. Now, under some circumstances, it is possible that certain data is missing from the incoming invoice document. Consequence: The incoming invoice workflow could not start for precisely this reason, and/or got stuck at a very early point.

Through recourse to the ERP system, the missing data is completed and the workflow can continue in the DMS. The whole thing can be illustrated in a fully automated way: A fully automated workflow can result from the incoming invoice in the DMS and the content comparison with the master data of the ERP system, together with a calculated verification of the sums and checking whether an order belonging to an invoice is present. At the end, the data is forwarded for posting in the ERP.

Furthermore, all the documents created in the ERP system, can ultimately also be archived in the DMS system, revision secure, and bundled into a process together with other documents within the DMS, and merged. The combination of document management system and ERP system therefore creates enormous synergy effects in terms of automation of workflows.

Connection of the DMS System to the Microsoft Office world

A seamless connection to widespread Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Outlook etc.) is essential for a modern document management system. From a user point of view alone, because who wants to continually switch between applications these days? Noone, exactly. Ideally, the DMS system links the aforementioned applications so well, that for example a Word document can be opened, changed and saved directly in the document management application..

Integration with digital signature service providers

To keep your work processes consistently digital, electronic signatures, for example EASY eSignature, can be easily connected to the DMS. This allows documents to be digitally signed and sent regardless of time and place – and in a legally valid and secure way. This not only speeds up your processes, but also ensures greater transparency.

DMS: What should you consider?

The document management system must have the prerequisites to comply with specific legal requirements. In Europe, several important legal texts and other details should be mentioned at this point. It is all about mandatory archiving requirements and privacy.

Disclaimer:

In all this it is clear that no legal advice will be given here; only the extensive situation will be sensitised.

GDPR compliance in the document management system

It is now necessary to combine two legal requirements: the aforementioned archiving obligations and the requirements of GDPR, here in particular article 17 right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”).

What at first glance looks like a contradiction, is easy to resolve. After expiry of the purpose limitation (here: Archiving obligations), GDPR rules – with the consequence that a document management system must be in a position to erase special documents and personal data. A modern DMS must have this erasure function. Furthermore, GDPR also requires document management systems to have the ability for a customer to make a request for information at any time: Therefore, it is about clarifying whether and for what purpose personal data is stored – and if yes, which data they are. In short: The DMS system must have the option to send these data to those requesting information.

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