Data silos are an unfortunate reality in the business world. They're frustrating, inefficient, and often expensive--not to mention, they're notoriously difficult to fix. Fortunately, with a tool like document management, you can say goodbye to data silos for good.
A Little Help From Document Management
Almost all companies have at least one data silo. The truth is that, as technology continues to evolve, certain systems become incompatible or outdated--which means all their data becomes trapped. Even new or upgraded software can create data silos if there's no way to share information between teams.
Luckily, you don't have to deal with data silos forever. Document management helps you take control of your data, forcing all those disparate systems to get along.
What key elements are necessary to eliminate data silos? Here are a few examples:
- Data capture from multiple sources
Paper files, handwritten notes, spreadsheets, emails, 400-page digital documents--these are just a few places you might have key data. Luckily, that data doesn't have to be trapped forever. No matter where your information lives (or in what format it exists), document management can help capture and digitize it for easier, more efficient access.
- Shared digital repositories
Capturing data isn't enough to eliminate silos. You also need a better way to store all that information. Document management provides a solution to this issue by creating a single, secure repository. This shared digital workspace eliminates the barriers between disjointed systems, allowing you to access all your company's information from a single touchpoint.
- Organization and search tools
One of the problems created by data silos is a complete lack of organization--which, in turn, forces employees to spend time searching for workarounds. To avoid this wasted time and effort, it's necessary to be able to organize files by date, keyword, topic, title, and more. Document management systems also offer a built-in search feature that can find files from any source, simplifying a variety of data-dependent processes.
Conclusion
Data silos impact efficiency, productivity, communication, and more. Luckily, it's possible to eliminate silos and replace them with a single, well-organized repository. You worked hard for all that data--document management helps you take advantage of it.
Tired of data silos? Looking for a little help from document management? Contact us today to find out how to get started.