Brief introduction to Information Management



A brief history and guide to Information Management SITEMAP - click here The meaning of Information management has changed over the years as the majority of businesses embraced work practices to incorporate digital solutions. Whereas information management once revolved around the control of paper filesand other physical media, as the technology evolved and electronic resources were created, information management evolved into more rational examination, control and critical appraisal of the information, who needed to receive it, by what criteria, in what form and how it could best be communicated, using what technology. In fact, many of the current misunderstandings about Information Management still are derived from the transition era where IT departments effectively hijacked the process through control of the servers and networks. Other streams of management often lacked the understanding and skills to challenge the “IT” constructs and as the volume and complexity of information proliferated, the people operating the servers and the networks took control of the information management role. However, in recent times, Information Management has been recognised as a combined process of organisational and managerial disciplines. There is a clearer understanding of information as a continuum where its flow and storage should be a seamless process, not limited by the rationality and logicality of disparate departments. One of the most important developments is recognition that different users (receivers) of information need to access it according to their own selection criteria and have it presented in different ways, even if the basic information on which this view is based remains common. The ASPAC-Consulting website gives examples of the benefits of this approach that include differentiation between public and commercially sensitive information, faster delivery, significant reduction of errors caused by re-keying and replication of information, also the elimination of frequently conflicting versions of the same information. Fortunately, much progress has also resulted from availability of new technologies. Businesses today may recover, retain and process information from anywhere in the world with a broadband Internet connection and the right access levels and there are even online file storage systems which remove the need for a physical server within a business altogether. Document scanning services have also allowed the digitisation of old paper files, turning them into editable digital formats that can be integrated into a digital information management system. However, a logical and comprehensive information strategy remains the most important element of the entire process, as the rationale underlying all communications throughout the business value chain. ASPAC Consulting Group Pty Ltd Email alan.loveard@aspac-consulting.com.au Please select from the menu to return to the ASPAC Consulting Website

A brief history and guide to Information Management

SITEMAP - click here

The meaning of Information management has changed over the years as the majority of businesses embraced work practices to incorporate digital solutions. Whereas information management once revolved around the control of paper filesand other physical media, as the technology evolved and electronic resources were created, information management evolved into more rational examination, control and critical appraisal of the information, who needed to receive it, by what criteria, in what form and how it could best be communicated, using what technology.
In fact, many of the current misunderstandings about Information Management still are derived from the transition era where IT departments effectively hijacked the process through control of the servers and networks. Other streams of management often lacked the understanding and skills to challenge the “IT” constructs and as the volume and complexity of information proliferated, the people operating the servers and the networks took control of the information management role. However, in recent times, Information Management has been recognised as a combined process of organisational and managerial disciplines. There is a clearer understanding of information as a continuum where its flow and storage should be a seamless process, not limited by the rationality and logicality of disparate departments.

One of the most important developments is recognition that different users (receivers) of information need to access it according to their own selection criteria and have it presented in different ways, even if the basic information on which this view is based remains common. The ASPAC-Consulting website gives examples of the benefits of this approach that include differentiation between public and commercially sensitive information, faster delivery, significant reduction of errors caused by re-keying and replication of information, also the elimination of frequently conflicting versions of the same information.

Fortunately, much progress has also resulted from availability of new technologies. Businesses today may recover, retain and process information from anywhere in the world with a broadband Internet connection and the right access levels and there are even online file storage systems which remove the need for a physical server within a business altogether. Document scanning services have also allowed the digitisation of old paper files, turning them into editable digital formats that can be integrated into a digital information management system. However, a logical and comprehensive information strategy remains the most important element of the entire process, as the rationale underlying all communications throughout the business value chain.

ASPAC Consulting Group Pty Ltd

Email alan.loveard@aspac-consulting.com.au

Please select from the menu to return to the ASPAC Consulting Website