3 - Enterprise content management (ECM)

Abstract

The increase in the amount of information has led to new information constructs in enterprise content management (ECM). ECM is proposed by its proponents as the panacea to the challenges in the current information environment. It focuses on the management of all content in an organization whether it is structured or unstructured. It is claimed that it enables organizations to control their content, boost productivity, promote collaboration, meet with compliance initiatives, promote better content-centric processes, which make information easily accessible and easy to share. ECM is however variably defined as a technology, an initiative, a framework, and skills an organization espouses to manage its information resources effectively. ECM proponents highlight factors such as: enterprise architecture, business process management, change management, collaboration, knowledge management, system integration, repurposing of content, and the life cycle management of content. The challenge organizations face today is how to exercise control over their information resources, which is often in dispersed environments. Such environments often create information silos instead of promoting access. Information can only be regarded as a resource if it can be timely accessed and used. Information in dispersed environments is often crucial to the day-to-day operations of an organization. This information can also be controlled by individuals other than being stored in a common repository where everybody who needs it can access it. Today’s working environment requires that employees access information regardless of where they are in the world. This mobile office environment also requires organizations to put in place information management strategies that can manage information securely and at the same time promote use and accessibility. This chapter explores the concept of ECM.