If you threw open the windows in your office on a windy day, what would happen? If your business is like so many others, there’d be chaos as paper flew everywhere. Even employees who use computers for most work would have trouble getting anything done as important records fluttered away. Perhaps it’s time for you to stop the paper chase and consider a document management system.

Simply put, document management systems can transform the way your business operates. Whether you’re solving a paper problem or simply improving the way you handle electronic files, the right document management system can provide a wide range of benefits for businesses large and small.

If you have employees who spend most of the day filing or retrieving documents, or if you spend good money every month to warehouse old paper records, you should investigate a document management system.

As you start investigating your options, one distinction to be aware of is between document imaging systems and document management software. The essential difference is that document imaging systems include tools to help you convert paper records into electronic files, while document management software is used to manage your electronic files.

The software is similar in both cases: you’ll still need security, tracking, and searching. But document imaging requires software and hardware to scan and index paper documents, while document management software is better suited for capturing e-mail and Web content.

This BuyerZone Document Management Systems Buyer’s Guide covers both types of systems, including paper conversion and electronic file management. Almost all suppliers in this arena offer both types of systems.