Beware! Most full-fledged document management systems are what is known as CICO (Check In Check Out) systems. As such, they're all about being in total control of your documents. But unfortunately, straight out of the box, they're more often in the way than they are an aid. This is mainly because they're document centric, and because they're only well integrated with common document-centric tools like MS Office.
I could write a book about this here - but won't. But my opinion is that one can get the benefits of a document management system without one. To back up that claim, consider the fact that many owner/operators and engineering companies continue to employ document control personnel (and often need even more of them) to manage their documents after implementing their document management systems.
The important issue is having a solid procedure and following it religiously.
That said, don't overlook MS SharePoint. It's probably a bit less onerous than others. There's another very lightweight program out there called Columbus you may want to look at. It doesn't claim to be a big doc control solution, but the makers know the engineering business - which is more than you can say for any of the other true doc management solution providers.
Beware! Most full-fledged document management systems are what is known as CICO (Check In Check Out) systems. As such, they're all about being in total control of your documents. But unfortunately, straight out of the box, they're more often in the way than they are an aid. This is mainly because they're document centric, and because they're only well integrated with common document-centric tools like MS Office.
I could write a book about this here - but won't. But my opinion is that one can get the benefits of a document management system without one. To back up that claim, consider the fact that many owner/operators and engineering companies continue to employ document control personnel (and often need even more of them) to manage their documents after implementing their document management systems.
The important issue is having a solid procedure and following it religiously.
That said, don't overlook MS SharePoint. It's probably a bit less onerous than others. There's another very lightweight program out there called Columbus you may want to look at. It doesn't claim to be a big doc control solution, but the makers know the engineering business - which is more than you can say for any of the other true doc management solution providers.
