Mar 31, 2015 | Blog
Ever increasing volumes of data, combined with emerging technologies, challenge the way we cope with this volume and complexity. In a busy work environment it can be hard to take positive steps to manage information we hold to ensure it contributes value to our business. Issues to consider:
- It isn’t so long ago that our world was less connected – the first iPhone launched in 2007 and iPads in 2010. These devices are now commonly used for business and many of us can’t do without them!
Data is a precious thing
- The way business is done is also changing as we move towards a “work anywhere” model, BYOD, the Cloud and Activity Based Working.
- We can guarantee that change is here to stay. But information needs to persist through change.
So it is important to take a long term view, establishing sustainable information systems that work on multiple technology platforms, designing tools that can be used in the technology of tomorrow – whatever it is.
You might identify with different issues depending on your environment. There is a lot to think about – and taking a strategic approach to managing information as an asset can help us extract value and minimize costs. (more…)
Mar 26, 2015 | Blog
Do you need to improve corporate information systems? Try this quick quiz:
- Is your organisation is struggling with the management of all the digital information that the business is generating?
- Are you trying to introduce standards in the way information is managed?
- Are you hamstrung by the over-use of network file shares that are managed departmentally?
- Are you unable to apply any corporate control to records and information?
- Has your organisation had to respond to a subpoena or discovery request and it has taken days, or even weeks, to get the information and records together.
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar? Do you have budget to solve any of these problems? How should you go about getting support, funding and approval for a solution to solve the above problems? What should that solution be?
Managing information as a business asset ‘StockMonkeys.com’ www.stockmonkeys.com
The Business Case for EDMS and better information management
The business case is the tool to get executive support, outline the current problems and define a new future state whilst identifying the benefits, risks and financial impact to possible solutions.
A well written, well prepared solid business case will help make your project stand out from the crowd and demand attention from those executives who make the decisions. The business case will be the key obtaining the dollars for your project. (more…)
Mar 17, 2015 | Blog
Image: Cassie Findlay
So much metadata in the news these days! Here’s a few grabs:
>> Deal on metadata to have a ‘chilling effect’ on press freedoms
These headlines are all about the current debate on telecommunications companies and Internet Service providers collecting and retaining data on communications they carry; to and from mobile phones and computers. The term metadata is used as a means to distinguish this information from the content of those communications.
In recordkeeping, metadata has its own meaning. Without metadata that tells us the ‘who, when, where and how’ in the transaction of business, records lose their value. An email stripped of its metadata is rendered almost meaningless and certainly of no use if required as evidence. Without metadata to indicate that a record was rendered inviolate from a certain date, it can be easier to challenge its authenticity. (more…)
Mar 6, 2015 | Blog
As we all know, critical business information that is needed for accountability, efficient processes and corporate memory exists in myriad business systems across government and the private sector. But right now, many systems are undergoing significant change, brought about by triggers like:
- the move to the cloud
- Government data centre initiatives; and
- privatisation of government enterprises.
Snow Geese Migration Corrine, Utah by Kevin Jensen.
Businesses are moving to consolidate multiple systems into a single unified archive, or are reworking them using interoperability standards, to take advantage of the data analysis and reuse opportunities that follow. Government agencies are preparing legacy systems for permanent archiving.
In all such cases, it is vitally important that the data contained in systems is migrated carefully and with an understanding of regulatory and business needs, and that it is done in a way that is cost efficient and maximises the potential benefits from the data’s continued use.
In government sectors, the evidence shows that many business systems are in need of triage before any migration can be executed. In particular, with regard to considerations around the usability of the data they contain and its expected lifespan. Moving a legacy system relying on proprietary software containing an excess of low value transactional data of no further utility is a recipe for high costs and increased risks.
So what can be done? (more…)
Mar 2, 2015 | Blog
In preparing for a thing on digital preservation last week, I tried to put together a list of all the great resources that are available from past and present research projects. That was surprisingly difficult to do! But I thought if I found it useful, others might too.
Boot Error
Image: Anna Quinn, Master boot record fail www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/2070718497/
Its not only not guaranteed to be comprehensive, its almost sure to be not comprehensive. Let me know what is missing!
barbara
(not guaranteed to be comprehensive!)
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FUNDING FROM 2002
UK specific – mainly JISC funded
Germany
US: (less research projects per se, more institutional initiatives or leaders)
About the author:
Barbara Reed is a Director of Recordkeeping Innovation. She has been involved in digital preservation with a recordkeeping perspective.
