Brad:

The issue isn't converting paper to a scanned image.  It is re-engineering
document-based processes to an electronic world.  Therefore, you need to be
looking at those processes first.   Someone pointed out to me several years
in an ARMA Conference talk that Records Management was really process based.

You need to understand the creation & usage for your records and evaluate
which should be captured at the start of a process (electronically enabling
them), and which at the end (as most paper records are).

It may be that the simplest answer for some records is to never print
something written internally, but instead capture it in its native format.
Else you end up doing things like printing faxes and MS Word documents only
to scan them!  The use of process automation can also contribute to better
record handling and justify investment through reduced man-hours, costs and
reduced elapsed times.

In some, making this change is an Information Management exercise with a
number of tasks, all of which start with a current state analysis.

You can do this analysis, or retain outside expertise.  There are a number
of firms, including mine, represented on this list who can advise and/or
assist you if you decide to seek help.  

Right now, I would look at process focused literature.  An analysis for
microforms would NOT be a good choice, as it will be end-of-active-use
focused, and will not cover aspects such as taxonomy and multiple facet
indexing.

I hope that this helps.

Bernard Chester, CDIA+, ICP, EDP
Principal Consultant
IMERGE Consulting, Pacific Northwest Office
7683 SE 27 Street, #316
Mercer Island, WA, 98040
Office: 206-230-9253; Mobile: 206-979-7389

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