>>The problem I am concerned about is the lack of understanding law
firms have about the place of Records Management in the ediscovery
process.<<

A month or so ago I posted a message about the lack of interest in
electronic records by RM folks that was expressed over and over by IT
professionals at the recent FileNet UserNet in Dallas.  Based on what I
heard there, I am not surprised in the least that RM's are left out of
the ediscovery process.  I am guessing, that in many of the companies I
talked to, they would expect their RM function to direct counsel to
them.

>>This statement is not sinking in with the lawyers that claim to be in
the "know".<<
Unfortunately, their view may be based on experience.  From what I have
seen, too many RM's have taken a hands off approach to electronic
records, instead focusing (or being focused) on paper records.  And the
vast majority that take the position are only concerned with the
inactive storage and disposition phases of the records management life
cycle.  That is unfortunate.  



SOX gave us a short reprieve and an opportunity to do it better.  Has
their been progress, some.  There are now some records jobs with
compensation over $250,000.  But those opportunities are rare.  Much
more likely is a Records Manager position requiring a CRM or Master's
degree and paying $2500 a month.  Organizations still think of RM's as
nothing more that glorified file clerks.  

When I started in this business nearly thirty years ago, there were no
electronic records.  Organizations put their money where the mass was,
in RM.  Today, there are relatively few paper records.  Organizations
are putting their money where the mass is, in IT.  If we keep up the way
we are going, RM is going to dry and wither on the vine and RM will
become just another IT acronyms.  If it does, we are to blame, not
eDiscovery experts.

Bill R

Bill Roach, CRM
Enterprise EDMS Coordinator
State of North Dakota
ITD/Records Management
701-328-3589

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