5 Big Movements in Records Management to Look For in 2016

With another year almost over, it’s time to make those New Year's resolutions again. We're not talking about your typical personal resolutions, but instead, we mean your business records management resolutions. Methods of handling records are constantly changing to better protect your sensitive information. Now is the time to get serious about records management for your company and know what big movements to look out for in 2016.

There is no escaping the fact that technology impacts our lives. In fact, it's been said we're currently living in the “Information Age”. Technology has completely revolutionized our business methods by improving our productivity and it won’t be slowing down any time soon.

Here are 5 big movements in records management to look for in 2016:

Hybrid Records Environments

What do you call an office using both paper and digital documents? A Hybrid Records Environment! These hybrid work environments will continue to grow in 2016. As companies continue to realize the benefits of technology such as document scanning and learn how to maximize certain tools, employees can work more efficiently and information, both paper and digital, will be more accessible.

Big Data

At its core, big data is the accumulation of all records, documents, and files. According to Microsoft, “Big data is the term increasingly used to describe the process of applying serious computing power—the latest in machine learning and artificial intelligence—to seriously massive and often highly complex sets of information.” Large organizations such as hospitals, legal offices and universities handle data every day and 90% of the world’s big data has been created within the last two years. Most documentation in these industries is electronic rather than paper-based. Today, you’re more likely to be filling out forms on an iPad that is connected to the cloud that automatically indexes your records.

The Cloud

The Cloud was not always the robust entity it is today. In fact, the applications that first brought file sharing into the Cloud had “little or no records management capability”. With the integration of a hybrid solution of records management, documents can be found both physically on the premises of your office, as well as in the cloud. As this technology progresses, imagine a future where the cloud is fully integrated in the records management workflow, keeping businesses organized and freeing up valuable office space.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Have you heard of the refrigerator that keeps track or what you put in and take out? It learns your habits. It learns your patterns. And,  ultimately, it creates even more Big Data! The Internet of Things (IoT) is defined as the network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enables these objects to collect and exchange data. Other "things" that are already apart of this movement are: cell phones, coffee pots, cars, TVs, and more. When it comes to records management, IoT can lend a hand to automating, controlling and fine-tuning processes for even more precision managing and protection of sensitive information.  

Cyber Protection

All of these new developments lead us to protecting electronic information. Cyber protection is already a top priority for businesses and consumers when it comes to trusting companies with their information. With cyber hacking a global issue making headlines, records management companies should be investigating how to defend and protect sensitive information. In fact, Downstream Data Coverage is the only professional liability insurance policy specifically designed for records management companies.

So there you have it, the five big records management movements to look for in 2016. To find out how to keep your important business information protected now and for years to come, we welcome you to contact our experienced records management team with any questions and find out what we can do for you.