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Practice Net - Document Management

Capital Business Park, Wentloog Ave, Cardiff, CF3 2PX

T: 02920-837410 E: sales@practicenet.co.uk W: practicenet.co.uk

Document Management

Managing Electronic Documents is easy - provided you have a system that’s right for your business. It’s certainly a great deal easier than managing paper – we all know what a nightmare that can be. You’ve probably several reasons why you’re seeking Document Management Software. It may be that you simply want to achieve the increased efficiency & profits that a Paperless Office brings. If so, your business could benefit in many ways … 

Document management covers a whole range of activities within a business. Below are just some of these procedures that Rapport will do for you, improving the efficiency of your day to day operations.

Document Generation

Most documents are now produced using Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. So if you’re not This is a straightforward process and once created the templates enforce your “corporate already doing so you need to create standard templates that everyone in your business uses. image”. It’s surprising the effect on productivity that this change alone brings.

It’s essential that every document your business generates is stored automatically in the relevant customer folder. And as you’ll be generating the document from the customer record in your database electronic filing is automatic. Now you really can locate any document in about 10 seconds...

Document Scanning

Scanning your Archived Documents to get rid of your boxes & boxes of paper, possibly held off site at no insignificant cost, may be your aim. If so you can choose from an in-house solution or outsource it.

If you choose an in-house approach you’ll need a fast scanner with high throughput and Document Scanning Software. Scanning incoming correspondence means that you’re not increasing your archive storage. More importantly it brings increased efficiency in key areas … authorised to do so. And if you have Remote Access - from anywhere in the world.

  • 1. Immediately a document is scanned it can be viewed by any user on your network
  • 2. You can add notes to an electronic document, refer it to a colleague(s), email it to a customer, and set a reminder so you get prompted at a defined date & time … So no need for printed copies for file or in-trays. You also become more proactive.
  • 3. So now you have both incoming & outgoing documents in client folders.

Email

Are you making effective use of Email in your business or are you concerned over aspects of security?

If you’re relying on a sole copy of email in individuals’ in-boxes then you’re not making effective use of email. You’re also gambling with your business records as all too often they’re simply not backed up. Or even deleted! Treat them just like you would a Word document, Scanned document or Excel Spreadsheet and store them in the relevant customer folders.

Now they’re immediately available to every authorised user.

When generating an email treat it just like you would a paper document. Define standard templates, header & footer so every email is prepared in the corporate image and conforming to legal requirements. Password protect your attachments so that only you and your client can access them, or link it fully with a business Portal.

Documents Created Elsewhere

A large number of your documents may be produced by computer applications such as your Accounts software.

Even though they’re not generated by your Document Management Software if these are customer related then produce a PDF. It’s a very quick & straightforward process and you can save it in the customer folder. You can even email it as an attachment should you need to do so.

Simply and quickly import other documents that may be sent to you.

Notes/Reminders Memos

If it’s important to put a note on a customer file then make it an electronic one so every authorised user can see it. The customer file is the best place for internal memos too if they’re customer related.

And if you’re using the integrated Diary then set reminders about customer events so you’re more proactive. It’s easy to ignore these three items when considering Document Management Software.

So now you’re storing every customer related “document” in your Document Management Database. To view any document you just go to the customer record, select the document category to see a list of documents, (usually in date order), and select the one you want. All without leaving your chair.

But that’s not all.

Combining your Customer/Prospect Database with your Document Management Database means you can make effective use of the information …

Mail Merge

Microsoft Word is great for a simple mail merge. It’s not so good though if you want to send a letter to customers who meet a particular criteria, such as, for example, those who purchased a particular product within the last 12 months. To do this – simply & quickly, you need a Customer/Prospect Database with search facilities.

You start by producing an electronic list of customers who meet your criteria then you select the document template you’ve written, (your mailer), and you mail merge.

Email Merge

Often known as E-Merge, the use of email for contacting your customers is taking over from the traditional written mailers – although both still have their place.

To use Email effectively though you require the same facilities that you have with a traditional mail merge … A Search Facility that produces an electronic list, a template, (your mailer), and a product that replicates the mail merge process via email.

Diary

Most business diaries are personnel based. This one is too - it’s also customer focussed. So you get a two-way view of events. It’s fully integrated with the Customer Database so you can relate people & customers to documents too so you can monitor responses.

You can set up repeat events, request reminders and notify meeting participants by email or via the Internal Messaging.

This module alone is worth the cost of the product and it’s included at no extra charge.

 

 

 

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