An EDM system is designed to manage electronic documents while they are active. It does not support records management functions. An ERM system is designed to manage electronic records and supports all the required records management functions. However, it does not necessarily support active document management functions. Increasingly education organisations should consider an integrated Electronic Document and Records Management solution to manage their documents and content throughout the lifecycle.

Question:

Where does EDRM fit within my current ICT solutions?

Answer:

See detailed answer in stage one, step two above. An EDRM should fit alongside your database management systems with the EDRM managing documents and content and the DBMS managing structured data.

Question:

What do I need to do to check whether my education organisation is ready for EDRM?

Answer:

Check that you have a records management policy and review the best practice listed in the Best practice for information/records management and follow the guidance contained in stages two and three below.

Question:

Where can I obtain more information about the range of systems on the market?

Answer:

See the references in the Additional References and case studies section (link to Additional References and case studies).

Question:

What can we do if our education organisation cannot afford an EDRM system?

Answer:

You are asking this question very early in the process. You may be right but please follow the stages through to stages four and five. These describe how you should review the options available for improving your current records management policies, procedures and systems and how you can make the business case for the preferred option. The preferred option should, of course, be an option that your education organisation can afford and is prepared to budget for.