Document indexing is a critical component of a successful document management system. When done correctly, it reduces the time employees spend looking for files.
Indexing can be done in several ways: database records, keyword tagging, or text search methods. The best method depends on the information you’re storing and how it will be searched.
Saves Time
Document indexing can help your business save time by reducing the time spent looking for information. It can also reduce the amount of data lost or misfiled. This helps your team become more productive and allows you to make better decisions quickly.
In addition, it can also help businesses with compliance issues. Compliance can be a considerable burden for any industry, and document indexing can help ease the process by creating a reliable audit trail of data.
Digital document indexing is a long-term storage, organization, protection, and access solution. It can benefit any company, regardless of size or industry. It can improve collaboration between departments and management teams and ensure that the correct people can view important documents.
Increases Productivity
Performing monotonous manual tasks like searching for physical files takes up valuable employee time that could be spent on other projects. Digitizing documents and indexing them properly allows employees to access information quickly.
The indexing process can be automated using various criteria, including metadata properties. Metadata is a data description that provides a structure for organizing and describing the content of a document. This includes data about the file, like its size or format, and the terms used to describe it.
Digital document indexing enables a faster search and retrieval system that reduces business costs for storage and human resources, eliminates risks associated with physical paperwork, and improves collaboration with colleagues and clients. This capability allows businesses to focus on essential issues, such as decision-making and streamlining operations.
Saves Money
Document indexing saves money by reducing the time staff spends looking for files. When files are indexed correctly, they can be easily searched and retrieved by anyone in your organization. This saves the costs of hiring additional employees to handle these tasks and reduces operating expenses such as storage and space requirements.
The best approach to indexing will vary according to your industry and the type of documents you are scanning. For example, personnel documents may be searched by first and last name or employment date, while finance documents can reference account and invoice numbers.
Unlike physical files that must be stored in filing cabinets, digitized documents are stored and backed up electronically, making them less prone to damage or loss. This can significantly cut operating costs and reduce the risk of losing valuable information.
Increases Security
Searching for and retrieving the necessary information is easy when documents are indexed correctly. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and keeps your files secure in centralized repositories protected against cybersecurity threats.
A well-indexed system helps prevent employees from spending valuable time shuffling through physical files or searching for information across disparate systems. This saves your team from working extra hours or overtime to find the correct information and allows them to spend that time executing business-critical tasks instead.
Additionally, indexing is highly beneficial for automating document processes and reducing errors. For example, suppose an employee inputs the wrong customer name or number when scanning an invoice. In that case, DocuWare software can automatically check to see if that information already exists in the company’s CRM database and correct the error instantly.
Increases Efficiency
The time spent searching for files and recreating them if lost can significantly impact business efficiency. Document indexing helps reduce these inefficiencies by allowing teams to access information quickly and efficiently.
Finding and retrieving documents within seconds is possible when the right index terms are used. This makes a significant difference when your staff is trying to locate specific records, such as customer invoices or medical records.
Taking the guesswork out of finding documentation makes it easier for employees to decide based on the data. This streamlines the process and can save your company valuable time regarding audit season. The method also eliminates the risk of misfiled or forgotten documents.
