Plays well with others...

While growing up we're taught to share, cooperate, and generally get along with our peers. We encourage our pets to get along with each other. We tend to hire people who will work together efficiently with the other employees. We even decorate using colors and textures that complement each other. So it's no surprise that when it comes to our technology, we want software and hardware combinations that "play well with others." Particularly in the case of ECM, we want a solution that complements, enhances, and communicates well with everything and everyone.

Integration tools are the key to making the most of your technology investments. You’ll experience the most ROI with an end-to-end ECM solution — beginning with the scanning software you use through to the workflow tools you implement to automate your business processes. Ideally, it should all work in combination with your existing line-of-business applications — ERP systems, CRM solutions, and more.

As Kodak explains in the How to optimize your capture workflow whitepaper, "You want the software that ties the scanner and the scanning workstation together to be based on a robust handshake from both directions. The scanner and the software don't just get along; they understand each other and are ready to work together as a team."

On the flip side, just as some children were never quite able to play nicely with their classmates, not all technology integrates with every system. According to the article, Systems Integration 101: Getting the Most Return for Your ECM Investment, "Unfortunately, tying systems together isn't necessarily as simple as it sounds. Many legacy business applications were not created with integration in mind. It simply was not part of the IT vision when many of these stand-alone applications were implemented. Some proprietary systems are built in such a way that they almost go out of their way to limit you from finding a way to integrate with them in order to ensure that you continue to buy their products."

The bottom line - as you evaluate software and hardware vendors for your end-to-end ECM solution, make sure each piece will work together with the others to give you immediate returns on your investment.

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Contact us today to learn more about an ECM solution that "plays well with others."

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