I agree completely with what Blake, Larry, and others have noted - as the old saying goes, "don't pave the cowpath". The RM program, policy, schedule, etc. needs to be in place before the technology can be successfully applied. There are a number of consultants that can assist in assessing the state of your RM program to ensure the pieces are in place - and help you with selecting a vendor that meets your specific requirements as well as RM best practices. Full disclosure: IMERGE is one such consulting firm, AND we are finalizing a two-day workshop that identifies those best practices and teaches organizations that DON'T have solid records programs what needs to go in a policy, and how to research a schedule, and how to manage records (when to destroy, how to implement and clear legal holds, etc.). But engaging one of these firms may be a way to ensure that when you do purchase and implement software that it is done efficiently, effectively, and correctly. Regards, Jesse Wilkins CDIA+, LIT, EDP, ICP IMERGE Consulting (303) 574-1455 office (303) 484-4142 fax [log in to unmask] http://www.imergeconsult.com Yahoo!: jessewilkins8511 MSN Messenger: [log in to unmask] >From: Blake Richardson <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Records Management Program <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Records management software help >Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 16:18:00 -0600 > >Chris, >Several years back, as Records Manager for a large life insurance company, >I >was tasked with implementing a comprehensive records management program for >the organization. As a records management newbie, I thought the first >thing >that the organization must purchase and implement was a records management >software application. I was assigned an in-house project manager and spent >many hours reviewing the packages. > >Then one day the light bulb went off - I realized that before I purchased a >software application, I needed to ensure that the foundational blocks of a >records management were first in place. Chris, I do not know the state of >records management at your organization, but would recommend to everyone >that the core issues be addressed prior to looking at a software >application >to manage your records. Good Luck! > >Blake Richardson, CRM > >-----Original Message----- >From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On >Behalf Of Tom Wilson >Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 3:11 PM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Records management software help > > >I would echo what the other responses have advised. I'm familiar with >Zasio's Versatile. If I remember correctly Zasio makes a few levels so the >more functionality or features you want, you might need a higher level of >their product. We also evaluated MDY which one of the responses to your >e-mail mentioned. We never used the product, but I was always impressed >with the product. > >What factors are causing the immediate decision to purchase? > >-----Original Message----- >From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf >Of Chris Marchiafava >Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 1:39 PM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Records management software help > >I am new to records management and must make a software purchase almost >immediately. I am looking at three vendors for records management >software and would like to know if anyone has any advice or information >that may be useful to me in making my selection. The vendors are Zasio, >Smead and Tower. > > > >Please respond as soon as possible. > > > >Thank you in advance. > > > >Chris Marchiafava > >Administrative Services Coordinator > >[log in to unmask] > >Recreation and Park Commission > >for the Parish of East Baton Rouge > >3140 North Sherwood Forest Drive > >Baton Rouge, LA 70814 > >Phone: (225) 226-7384 > >Fax: (225) 273-6404 > > > >List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html >Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance > >List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html >Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance > >List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html >Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance