Definition of the term (“What is ECM?”)
ECM is the abbreviation of Enterprise Content Management. This is the management of all data and information generated in an organization. ECM is also often used as a synonym for DMS (document management system) and vice versa.
What is ECM use/used for?
It is used to combine structured information (e.g. invoces, contracts, personnel files, less structured information (e.g. e‑mails, written correspondence) and unstructured information (e.g. minutes). ECM uses various technological elements for this effect. This includes the capturing, management, storage, preservation and provision of analog and digital content in an organization.
An ECM solution is thus designed to define procedures for the capturing, processing, management and storage of documents. In the end, the ECM system depicts the structures and processes as a solution across the organization.
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Which advantages does an ECM have?
Using an ECM system with a software allows an organization to benefit from many advantages sucih as significant cost savings. Eliminating document chaos frees more resources to concentrate on the essentials more efficiently.
Using an innovative document management system or enterprise content managament system, you digitize your existing papaer documents and let unstructured paper folders become a relic of the past. Thus, your work becomes transparent and audit-compliant. The central storage of all information and documents in the company facilitates a fast exchange within the organization and thus generates competitive advantages.
What is the difference between ECM and DMS?
In contrast to a Document Management System (DMS), no German translation exists for the term ECM. Thus the English term took hold in German as well.