Record Retention Schedules

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Advanced Imaging Solutions / The Microfilm Depot
Document And Microfilm Scanning Service
Since 1984
Call Chris Ferrer For A Free Test And Quote 786-985-2047
10200 State Road 84 #228 Davie Florida 33024
sales@mdepot.com

Record Retention SchedulesThe Importance Of Maintaining Record Retention Schedules

By Chris Ferrer

All businesses and companies should have Record Retention Schedules. This is a system whereby the companies are able to keep records for a specified length of time. It can be problematic for companies if they fail to do so as they may incur harsh penalties. The records will include emails, memoranda, emails and other types of important documents. Companies that adhere to the strict implementing of keeping these records will protect themselves from violating the law and there can be no suspicion of obstruction of justice. The saved data can also be handy should the need ever arise for defense in possible litigation.

In days gone by, records were kept when they were not been used for everyday use. Some of these reports would be kept off site or in the basement of the office building. The keyword to these reports is the evidence of any event that the company was involved in.

Someone at the corporation needs to collate, identify and classify the particular information. Information that can can specifically prove or disprove certain issues is very important. Information such as employee dossiers, tax records, corporate minutes, bylaws and accounting records are very important. A list of these reports should be made and as well as the details as to where this data is kept.

The person in charge of the data should find out from the legal department how long the company is legally obliged to retain specific data. The law applies differently to different data and the legal department will be able to help in this regard. Tax records for example have to be retained for thirty six months at least. There may be a statute of limitations that applies and this information can be obtained by speaking to the legal department. After this, the information may be recycled or archived.

If it is a big corporation, then it might be an idea to create a document retention task force team. This team will be responsible for overseeing the process of classifying and identifying the various data. Ideally, this team should consist of an information technology staff member, a member of corporate management and someone from the legal department.

The document should be reduced to writing. When all the various documents have been identified and classified, this information should be put in writing and then distributed to all staff members. The instructions regarding managing and keeping the records should be explicit in the document so that everyone is clear about the procedure.

Corporate staff members should be educated on this policy. Make sure all the staff members have access to the report and get them to sign it as well. Employees may need training as to the importance of this policy and if needed the company should provide such training. There should be a question and answer session for the employees so that there is no confusion regarding this matter.

It is important to store Record Retention Schedules where they will be easily accessible and where they are protected from any damage from the environment. Paper documents can be kept in an office in a filing cabinet. Larger companies have special rooms that safeguard the data especially against humidity and temperature.

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Records Retention And Destruction

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Advanced Imaging Solutions / The Microfilm Depot
Document And Microfilm Scanning Service
Since 1984
Call Chris Ferrer For A Free Test And Quote 786-985-2047
10200 State Road 84 #228 Davie Florida 33024
sales@mdepot.com

Records Retention And DestructionImportance Of Records Retention And Destruction

By: Chris Ferrer

In this day and age of security, protection and confidentiality in terms of identity and personal information, it is very important for businesses in the commercial and health care industry to have safe guards to prevent exposure and risk in this area. Records Retention And Destruction should be a well planned and thought out process and procedure.

Many people and patients personal information are generated via standard reports, charts, labels and other documents. These forms of communication must be both stored and destroyed. Storage in itself has taken an entirely new look and process.

For decades companies have printed reams of paper that had protected patient information or private financial records and boxed them up. These boxes were then transported to a storage area within their building, or off site, and kept for seven years or longer. Every week, month and year that goes by, more and more boxes are added. This process continues to the point where they begin looking for more storage.

With the advancement in technology, all of these boxes that contain confidential data and information can now be stored electronically, online. Not only is it more secure in terms of password and username protection, but it also is not subject to natural weather elements or physical theft. Just imagine the cost savings in not having to purchase storage boxes, labels and use up valuable square footage. That space can now be converted to usable space instead of storage.

Scanning and storing your records electronically meets the records retention requirements that are necessary for both financial, clinical and billing protocols. It is considered to be safe and secure. Be sure however that you have the process in written policy form and that your policy addresses what the back-up, or redundant process is in the event of a server crash or technology glitch.

This process has become more popular and less expensive. You can now purchase desk top scanners or even scanners that are the size of a paper cutter. Simply install the software to your computer and follow the instructions and you now have a simplified storage system. The scanners scan the document image and then stores them in online folders for easy viewing and access.

Destruction of records seems very simple. But be warned, this process must be done with special attention to detail and security. Many businesses have shredding boxes that are available to throw confidential paperwork into. These boxes must be locked. They also must only have a one way document insertion slot. In other words, once you place the document into the shredder box, there must not be a way to retrieve it. The only way you can retrieve it is by unlocking it.

In the event you have your maintenance department transport boxes of confidential information from your storage building to an incinerator or dump site, be sure their truck is lockable and secure. The last thing you want to happen is for these boxes or papers to be flying out onto the roadway or for anyone to have the ability to reach in and grab them.

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Reduce The Number Of Document Files In Your Office

by Posted in Document Scanning Tagged , ,

Advanced Imaging Solutions / The Microfilm Depot
Document And Microfilm Scanning Service
Since 1984
Call Chris Ferrer For A Free Test And Quote 786-985-2047
10200 State Road 84 #228 Davie Florida 33024
sales@mdepot.com

Records Retention And DestructionReduce The Number Of Document Files In Your Office

By Christopher

Scanning equipment is the equipment needed in an office so as to create more space in the office by reducing paper documents. This electronic equipment will scan paper documents into electronic form. Digital documents are normally stored in the hard disk of the computer. Digital documents occupy very little space. By scanning all non-electronic paper files into electronic form, the paper can later be burned because they are backed up in electronic form and a lot of space which they occupied will be freed up. It is very easy to secure digital documents and also to share them. Scanning devices are normally sold in online based stores.

It is common to find sensitive record files stored in safe cabinets in most organizations. Although most cabinets used by organizations are safe and they guarantee adequate protection of the record files from burglary, they don’t guarantee that the information stored in the documents will not be accessed by unauthorized personnel. Unauthorized personnel may obtain keys to the cabinets and proceed to read all the information contained in the documents. However, it will not be easy for unauthorized personnel to read information contained in vital files stored in electronic media as these documents are normally secured using passwords. Some passwords used to secure some documents are normally known by only one person or just a small bunch of people.

It takes less effort to share digital files compared to the effort needed so as to share paper based records. Electronic files can simply be shared between different users using optical disks. Flash disks and optical disks are ideal for sharing documents in offices with on stable internet connection.

Offices with stable internet connection can share documents via the internet. Files will be shared at the speed of light in offices where there is broadband internet. There are many affordable broadband services available nowadays.

Electronic digital files tend to last longer than non-electronic paper. A good number of documents in paper form will last for just some few years before they start wearing out and becoming blurred. However, all digital documents can last for many years without being blurred or wearing out.

Scanning equipments used to scan paper documents can be purchased from online retailers. High quality scanners will produce very top quality results. These scanners can be purchased quite easily from a number of retail outlets.

The main purpose of a document and microfilm scanning device is to produce electronic copies of paper documents. Electronic documents need less storage space. An office will be more spacious if most documents are stored in electronic form instead of being stored in cabinets.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/outsourcing-articles/reduce-the-number-of-document-files-in-your-office-it-helps-increase-productivity-4106936.html

Scan Microfilm Microfiche To Computer Conversions

Scan Microfiche Scan Microfilm Scan Documents Scan Aperture Cards

by Posted in Document Scanning Tagged , , , ,

Advanced Imaging Solutions / The Microfilm Depot
Document And Microfilm Scanning Service
Since 1984
Call Chris Ferrer For A Free Test And Quote 786-985-2047
10200 State Road 84 #228 Davie Florida 33024
sales@mdepot.com

Taking A Look At The Importance of Scanning Microfilm, Microfiche, Aperture Cards, And Paper Documents For Historic Preservation

By Chris Ferrer

Preserving vital records and data is an integral part of many companies and government agencies. Some historical documents have been kept for years on microfilm and other types of storage media such as microfiche, aperture cards, and paper documents. However, with the rising advancements of digital technology, many of these types of historic preservation methods are being replaced by advanced technology.

Even though the digital platform is growing, many business owners and government agencies prefer the simple and dependable preservation that microfilm provides. For years, the references made to and from microfilm data has been trustworthy. This form of data storage and preservation has many times been an dependable source of important facts and information in the service of multiple situations and needs.

Thousands and thousands of paper documents can be stored on microfilm with attached aperture cards for making it easy to scan and locate particular information. Many architectural firms in the past have used this method to store blueprints that would otherwise suffer damage of vinegar syndrome and acidity side effects. The blueprints for some structures are kept for strict security reasons by qualified government staff. These are examples of microfilm images that help to determine some important areas of national security.

The introduction of conversion to digital mediums for microfilm, microfiche, and aperture cards has indeed become big business. Many conversions companies have experts who provide perfected digital images for even those documents that have lost their original appearance of legibility. Legibility of many historical documents is pertinent to what it stands for and why it is so vital to preserve it through time. This is especially true for government-related documents that set forth laws and changes made to govern the people.

Paper documents can suffer serious damage in the most protected of places. Acid in paper will eventually destroy legibility and cause the loss of vital information. This is the greatest reason microfilm technology became what it is today. Imagine the number of documents that have been lost simply due to time and aging that might have made a significant difference in the lives of many people.

Medical records are vital not only to the patient being treated, but also to those medical professionals providing the treatment. Patient records have been placed on microfilm in the hospital setting for many years for reference and diagnosis purposes. Only in the past few decades, have these kinds of records been turned over to the digital-imaging experts for conversion to computerized storage.

Conversion to a digital preservation medium involves the expertise of trained professionals. Many aspects surround details like greyscale imaging and attention to pixels and how to best turn them into legible images. Paper scanning might involve a process called tagged image file format for obtaining microfilm data storage, or your documents may need special attention that would require necessary steps for disaster recovery.

Assorted types of digital-imaging formats are available for the conversion of microfilm, paper, and other data mediums such as aperture cards. PDF, JPG, GIF and TIFF are some examples of the formats you can choose from for conversion. Digital formats can be delivered in several ways. Your choice might be a hard-drive version. You may prefer to have placement on a CD/ROM. One great delivery system is that of document hosting that allows users to access their data through a special website.

The need for restoration in addition to historic preservation is a task that certainly requires an expert. Microfilm data and other kinds of documents that have been damaged in fire or water might still have a chance to be recorded onto your choice of new film or digital mediums. The steps to restore and preserve damaged films and documents is indeed a painstaking process. However, the end results may astound you.

Choosing the professionals you need for your historic preservation of microfilm and other vital documentation is an important part of making sure you save data for extended time periods. Keep in mind that some information could determine the future of not only you, your business, or your community; it could have an impact on mankind and the development of new technology or medical advancements. Seeking only the experts you can trust to show you past work and assure you of constant communication during the entire process is an important part of saving the data that means most you.

For more information, please visit: http://www.mdepot.com

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