A content services platform is cloud-based SaaS software that enables users to create, share, collaborate on and store text, audio and video content. Content services platform (CSP), not to be confused with cloud service provider, is a relatively new term that is gaining acceptance as a successor to enterprise content management (ECM) software.
Several prominent vendors — notably Box, Hyland and Nuxeo — use the term, or variants such as content services to describe their software.
Also, tech analyst firm Gartner formally declared in 2017 that it would henceforth use CSP instead of ECM to identify vendors and their services in what Gartner described as a fast-growing market.
One way of explaining the evolution to content services platforms from ECM systems is that the newer concept of delivering content services reflects a shift from self-contained systems and repositories to open services, according to Gartner.
A content services platform expands the range of what an ECM has traditionally done from handling documents to managing more diverse forms of data.
In contrast to ECM systems and their main function of storing content in the enterprise, content services platforms are designed for active use of content data by individuals, workgroups and teams across the extended enterprise. In addition to internal employees, partners, contractors and others can interact with the enterprise through a CSP.
Security capabilities of a content services platform can easily extend to external third parties.
CSPs also are defined by their emphasis on services and microservices and can be installed either as a product suite or as separate applications with common APIs and repositories.
Also, CSPs serve a variety of parties, including users, systems and applications.
Common capabilities include the following:
Many of the vendors with products in the CSP category have simply expanded their ECM products and spun them into service-oriented architecture platforms with integrated content-related services and microservices, content repositories and tools.
Content services platform vendors include OpenText, Microsoft, IBM, M-Files, Oracle, Alfresco, Laserfiche, Newgen Software, Micro Focus, iManage, Fabasoft and Objective.
Editor’s note: This article was written by Shaun Sutner in 2018. TechTarget editors revised it in 2022 to improve the reader experience.
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monday.com is better for project management than Smartsheet, although both services are great. With monday.com, you will find more features, slightly more customer support options, and plans that start at $6 per user, per month, which is a full dollar less costly than Smartsheet’s starting price.
However, Smartsheet is no slouch. We found the interface is easier to navigate than monday.com’s because the spreadsheet view is more adaptable than any other project management software and it will appeal to spreadsheet experts.
Our researchers have studied business software for years to bring you the best data insights on its functionality, hidden costs, and ability to work with your existing software. Smartsheet and monday.com are two of the best — even if, again, monday.com is better.
In this guide:
Smartsheet
monday.com
Ease of use
Customization
Unlimited (all plans)
A great tool for spreadsheet-natives, which can take your Excel-based task planning to the next level, and there’s a free trial, too.
A great task management system due to strong customizablity and support team, with a generous Free Trial period.
While both services are excellent, our researchers found Smartsheet to be better than monday.com in one category, while monday.com was better than Smartsheet in four categories. Smartsheet is easier to use than monday.com, but monday.com offers more features, better value for its cost, better customer support, and has a higher customer favorability than Smartsheet.
Overall, monday.com is a better pick for a modern design that will meet the need of most companies: We give monday.com a solid score of 4.7/5, slightly higher than Smartsheet’s 4.6/5 score.
Smartsheet will handle all of your company’s project management needs, from setting tasks and milestones to gathering feedback once the job is complete. It is very easy to learn and use, thanks to a flexible spreadsheet interface, powerful chart building tool with custom data fields, and a simple instant-messenger chat function.
Despite this general ease of use, though, the service won’t offer preset charts, so figuring out the chart building tool is a must rather than a maybe. Plus, the lowest plan tier limits its data visualisation tools. While we favor monday.com on the whole, we would recommend Smartsheet for any Excel or Google Sheet experts, since it is the best spreadsheet alternative on the market.
Pros
Cons
With monday.com, businesses will get the features and customer support they need at a price that’s lower than Smartsheet (though it’s not the lowest on the market). Highlights of the service include an automation builder for better customization, along with the functionality needed for fast project setup and project updates. A free plan is available, too, although automations are limited.
Downsides of monday.com include a slight learning curve for handling the form builder, as well as a few plan-specific restrictions for integrations and Gantt charts. Most modern businesses will find it delivers the right combination of functionality, ease of use, and affordability.
Pros
Cons
monday.com offers a better value for its cost than Smartsheet. This is because monday.com’s starter plan, Basic, costs $6 per user, per month, while Smartsheet’s comparable starter plan, Pro, starts at a dollar more, for $7 per user, per month.
monday.com also undercuts Smartsheets when it comes to the two high-end (non-Enterprise) plans, as monday.com’s $22 per user, per month plan costs less than Smartsheets’ $25 per user, per month plan.
That said, the two services offer a different range of features under all their plans, so the best option will depend on the needs of your business. We still rate Smartsheets higher in usability — one big reason is the lack of automations or integrations under monday.com’s Basic plan, given that the similar Smartsheets Pro plan offers 250 automations per month.
It’s worth noting that our researchers found more than a few other project management software options to offer a higher value for the price: ClickUp, Favro, Jira, Trello and Zoho projects all fared better in this category.
Smartsheet offers three plans: Pro, for $7 per user, per month when paid annually or $9 per user, per month paid monthly; Business, for $25 per user, per month when paid annually or $32 per user, per month paid monthly; and Enterprise, for a custom quote.
Smartsheet doesn’t offer a permanent free plan, but it does have a 30-day free trial and, like most project management products, will allow a third-party to collaborate with a paying Smartsheet user as a guest.
Pro
Business
Enterprise
$7/user/month
$25/user/month
Custom
1 – 10
3 – Unlimited
Unlimited
10
100
Unlimited
20 GB
1TB
Unlimited
Pro offers a fairly high user cap of 25, but comes with other restrictions — users get just 10 projects and 10 guests (both are unlimited across all monday.com plans) along with caps of 20GB storage and 250 automations per month. These caps are better than monday.com’s own starter plan restrictions of 5GB storage and no automations. Users are also limited to one dashboard and five custom chart builders.
Pro users get all the big mangement tool options: Gantt Chart, Kanban Board, a spreadsheet-type view, sub-tasks, milestones, task dependencies, and custom fields, as well as both pre-built and custom automations and project templates. They’ll get email support and an online knowledge hub, but won’t receive phone, live chat, or 24/7 support.
Collaboration features include a calendar, team messaging, and task comments, but do not include resource management, an online whiteboard, or document editing tools.
Business has everything in Pro, and removes most caps: Users, guests, automations and integrations are all unlimited, although there is a three-user minimum, while the storage limit is boosted to an impressive 1TB (matching monday.com’s Enterprise storage), and projects are capped at 100 per user.
Features are expanded slightly, with a focus on team management: User permissions, resource management and document editing are added, phone support is available for an additional fee, and dashboards and custom chart builders are now unlimited.
Enterprise removes any remaining restrictions on projects per user and storage, while also including 24/7 phone support at no extra charge. It also adds single sign-on for better security, but no major features are added beyond that. In contast to monday.com’s enterprise plan, Smartsheet’s plan doesn’t include any onboarding assistence.
Check out our full guide to Smartsheet pricing for a full breakdown of how far your money will go.
monday.com offers five plans: Individual, the free plan; Basic, for $6 per user, per month when paid annually or $8 per user, per month paid monthly; Standard, for $10 per user, per month when paid annually or $12 per user, per month when paid monthly; Pro, for $22 per user, per month when paid annually or $27 per user, per month when paid monthly; and Enterprise, for a customized plan.
There’s no free trial, but that’s because users can just get the free Individual plan to test drive the platform.
Individual
Basic
Standard
Pro
Enterprise
Free
$8/user/month
$10/user/month
$16/user/month
On request
Free
$10/user/month
$12/user/month
$20/user/month
On request
2
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited
500 MB
5 GB
20 GB
100 GB
1,000 GB
24/7
24/7
24/7
24/7
24/7
None
None
250 actions per month
25,000 actions per month
25,000 actions per month
None
None
250 actions per month
25,000 actions per month
25,000 actions per month
The monday.com Individual plan is free and, like all permanent free plans, it’s too limited to work for most needs. There is no longer a project limit, but users are capped at two, while no automations or integrations are allowed at all. Storage is limited to 500MB as well.
Individual users will get access to email support as well as all of the features offered under the Basic plan. Still, without access to automations, the service won’t save you much time, and you’ll also bump up against the storage cap fairly quickly.
Basic offers unlimited users and expands the storage limit to 5GB, but automations or integrations are still not offered.
Task management tools include a Kanban Board and spreadsheet-type view, sub-tasks, and custom fields, but no Gantt chart or task dependencies. Milestones can be measured with a workaround, but aren’t included as a main feature in the Basic, or in any plan. Preset and custom project templates are available, and data visualization tools include dashboards, a widget builder, and preset charts and widgets. You’ll also get task comments, an online whiteboard, and document editing, but will not have access to resource management tools, team messaging, calendars, or a project message board.
Security features include two-factor authentication and user permissions. Email support is offered, but (like all monday.com plans) it’s not 24/7 and there’s no phone or live chat option.
Standard doesn’t add much to the Basic plan. The big additions are automations and integrations, both capped at 250 actions per month. You’ll also get the Gantt chart view and the ability to offer guest access, as well as a calendar — which is useful for scheduling when collaborating with colleages.
Pro increases the storage limit to 100GB and dramatically expands the automations and integrations to 25,000 actions per month. New features include task dependencies, budget management (using the ‘Formula Column’ feature), a custom chart builder, resource management, and time tracking.
Finally, Enterprise adds onboarding assistance and the largest caps yet, as well as 1,000GB storage and 250,000 actions per month for automations and integrations. Much like Smartsheet’s enterprise option, it’s a plan for big companies that have outgrown the previous plan.
Check out our full page on monday.com’s pricing for an in-depth breakdown.
monday.com offers a better free plan than Smartsheet because it includes all the features available from monday.com’s paid Basic plan, although extra limitations are included. monday.com’s free plan may be called “Individual,” but it actually supports up to two users.
Meanwhile, Smartsheet doesn’t offer a full free plan, but does allow users to share projects with guests, who can then view, edit, and update the projects as if they are a user.
In the end, though, neither free option is likely to cut the mustard for any growing company. Starting out with monday.com’s Individual plan isn’t a bad idea, but the benefits of project management software kick in when you start using automations to make repetitive actions less time-consuming, and add integrations to help you handle all your software needs from one hub.
Once a paid plan has saved you a few hours of work across an entire month, it has likely paid for itself.
Both monday.com and Smartsheet are easy to use, but Smartsheet comes out on top in this category. Our researchers tested usability across multiple subcategories such as responsiveness to changes and closing stages, including gathering feedback or giving access to guests.
Smartsheet really pulls ahead in the responsiveness subcategory. Updating a spreadsheet is a fast process, whether you’re reassigning tasks or tweaking budgets. Smartsheet also has a sidebar for extra tools, such as team messaging.
Smartsheet doesn’t offer any preset charts for viewing project data, so users will have to build them. While this does add a learning curve, it also allows for more customization. In contrast, monday.com requires setup as well, yet doesn’t offer some project data views at all: even our researchers couldn’t satisfactorily figure out how to measure project progress vs remaining time.
While both options are customizable and fairly easy to use, Smartsheet wins in the end.
Spreadsheet and monday.com are neck-and-neck for setting up projects.
Again, monday.com is very customizable, using a system called “Items” with rows to represent each task. Editing takes such a few clicks, speeding up the project setup process that any manager is familar with by avoiding the need to fill in endless fields. Automations are limited to between 250 and 250,000 actions per month, depending on the plan.
Smartsheet’s setup process is easy, too, with a design similar to Excel or Google Sheets. The service’s project management templates pre-populate columns for the name, duration, assignee, and start and finish dates for a task. Custom workarounds can be added quickly for features Smartsheet doesn’t offer, like budgeting — which is good, since the limited amount of preset templates means that most users will eventually need to build their own.
Both monday.com and Smartsheet come with the essential task management tools: Gantt charts, Kanban Boards, a spreadsheet view, sub-tasks, task dependencies, and custom fields. Milestones can be set up in both services: Users on monday.com can use the ‘Groups’ feature, with each Group’s collection of tasks comprising one milestone.
monday.com’s “Items” system of rows and columns lets users set up each task, while Smartsheet uses a pre-populated spreadsheet.
Creating custom automations is a more simple process with monday.com, since the service offers an undemanding text-based creator, compared to Smartsheet’s complex flow-chart style builder.
Both monday.com and Smartsheet offer great support for their customers, although monday.com is ultimately ahead by a nose.
Users for both services will get an online knowledge base and community forum for solving quick issues and common questions, as well as email-based support for tougher problems.
Smartsheet does make 24/7 phone support available, while monday.com does not. However, it’s only for Smartsheet’s Business and Enterprise plans, and it’s a paid add-on for the Business plan as well. Smartsheet does not offer onboarding support, while monday.com includes it free for Enterprise customers.
Neither Smartsheet nor monday.com will give you the absolute best bang for your buck. Smartsheet starts at $7 per user, per month, while monday.com starts at $6 per user, per month. That’s not the worst cost and may be below the industry average, but it’s not the lowest cost either.
Here are three top project management software services that our researchers have found will deliver the goods for less. Alternatively, if you’d like to see how Smartsheet stacks up against a database management tool, check out our Smartsheet vs Airtable comparison.
Zoho Projects offers the best value: It starts at $4 per user, per month when paid annually, and offers a free tier as well. It delivers a functional platform with two different automation builders (simple and complex), plenty of collaboration features, and — unlike monday.com or Smartsheet — dedicated budgeting tools.
That said, it does not offer the strong customization or usability you’ll get from both monday.com and Smartsheet, so you’ll have to learn how to navigate a somewhat finicky system with a lot of menus to sort through. You can learn more about Zoho Projects in our full pricing guide.
Pros
Cons
ClickUp’s starter plan costs $5 per user, per month when paid annually, and it has a free plan, too. Top benefits include quick setup, an instant-messenger functionality, and the 24/7 live chat support that you might be missing from both monday.com or Smartsheet. But you’ll face plan-based restrictions on how many times you can use certain features, with automations restricted heavily under the first two plans, and the service isn’t built for post-project feedback discussions. Our full review of Clickup has the rundown.
Pros
Cons
Favro isn’t quite as inexpensive as Zoho Projects and Clickup, since the lowest plan starts at $10.20 per month, which covers two users. Costs will increase in tiers rather than the typical per-user pricing, with 3-5 users costing $25.50 per month, 6-10 users costing $51 per month, and so on. You’ll get an easy-to-use interface for setting up tasks quickly, along with a straightforward burndown chart creator. Task dependancies can be complicated to set up, though, and Excel experts will miss being able to use formulas within the spreadsheet-style interface, as they are not supported.
Pros
Cons
Tech.co’s researchers are unbiased, with years of experience under their belt, and frequently revisit all scores to chart evolutions in software features or pricing. For the project management software category, we have tested and analyzed 14 products, all using the same five criteria, each of which might be further broken down into subcategories. These are:
In the end, we ranked every software on a scale of 1-10 stars under every criteria, and then added them all up and divided by the number of criteria to arrive at a single five-star final score that displayed the total value of each service.
That said, Smartsheet and monday.com are both impressive tools, offering easy-to-use and highly customizable interfaces, as well as — depending on the plan — all the features you’ll need. Either option should serve you well.
They’re not the only project management tools worth considering, though. From ClickUp’s unbeatable featureset to Zoho Project’s low $5 per user price, there’s a software for every business.
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Document management software is an important tool for any business. Depending on the service, it can help save time, increase data security, ensure regulatory compliance and improve collaboration. To help you find the best document management software for your business, we assessed various document management services on the market. We considered features like security, mobile functionality, usability, document sharing and collaboration and version control. We also analyzed different prices and payment options and compared cloud-based to on-premise software to determine which is best for your business.
Rubex by eFileCabinet Online is a cloud-based solution that allows remote employees to log in from any computer with internet access and have the same functionality as they would have when working from the office. We previously selected Rubex by eFileCabinet as the best document management system for businesses with a remote workforce.
Editor’s Score: 97/100
We liked that Rubex offers a sophisticated mobile app that provides access to every stored file, unlike some of the other document management software we reviewed. The system uses a traditional cabinet-folder filing structure and provides several ways to search for documents. Rubex by eFileCabinet Online is available in three pricing plans, which vary in features and storage.
M-Files is a comprehensive document management system with an intuitive and easy-to-learn interface. M-Files contains numerous tools that we found helpful for organizing documents seamlessly, digitizing large volumes of physical papers and automating workflow processes. For example, we loved the automatic metadata suggestions DocuWare offers as well as its version control features, which simplify the storage and retrieval process.
Editor’s Score: 94/100
M-Files can also integrate with Parashift, a deep-tech company that specializes in ML document retrieval, so you can accelerate and simplify your document management processes further. Instead of classifying documents and reading data manually, you can process a wide variety of structured, semi-structured and unstructured documents automatically. It’s also a versatile system that can serve a variety of industries, such as accounting, business consulting, construction, engineering, energy, financial services, manufacturing, professional services and real estate.
For businesses that use many different types of software, DocuWare may be the best choice for a document management solution. Integration helps support consistency and organization and offers real-time updated data. This kind of automation ensures that the team’s valuable time is spent on projects that matter rather than day-to-day tasks.
Editor’s Score: 96/100
DocuWare can integrate with over 500 different applications, ensuring that no matter the industry, you can keep track of your documents automatically while maintaining work output. We found DocuWare’s support for different methodologies of integration especially useful, from deep API-based integrations to simple point-and-click integrations. We also liked that DocuWare offers dedicated connectors for SAP, Outlook and other leading software platforms.
Those looking for scalable document management software should consider FileHold. With several pricing tiers and room to add or subtract users, we found FileHold flexible enough to support the needs of businesses of any size. Those looking to add specific features to their document management systems can do so with FileHold, choosing between standard, optional or custom features. Interested customers can sign up for a 30-day free trial to test its various features before making a final decision.
Editor’s Score: 94/100
FileHold also offers FileHold Cloud, allowing teams to upload documents remotely and work from anywhere in the world where there’s an internet connection. This service supports remote teams and collaboration, ultimately saving time and money. We especially liked this feature given the remote or hybrid nature of many teams in the modern business environment.
DocuPhase offers teams a document management solution that supports productivity and helps team members stay on-task. We found this cloud-based system to be very customizable — your team will be invited to try a curated demo before purchasing the software and pricing is based on factors specific to your team. We liked the level of attention DocuPhase pays to your unique needs since every business is different.
Editor’s Score: 92/100
DocuPhase has a lot of standout tools and features that help teams stay organized and productive. Auto-indexing technology allows team members to preset tags and sort incoming files automatically using artificial intelligence, a feature we found particularly useful and uncommon among other document management software. Advanced search functions help teams quickly find information, facilitating simple document retrieval. Automatic file routing shares information with the appropriate people and ensures that documents don’t get lost in the shuffle. We found these tools to be helpful in boosting productivity and reducing the time it takes for a user to accomplish tasks within the system.
isoTracker provides the best customer support out of all the document management software providers we reviewed. Interested customers are connected with a live agent via chat once they access the website. Then, under the “contact” page, customers have the option to either call a customer service representative or fill in a contact form where there is room to describe either a question or a problem. We liked how quickly this process connects you with a representative and found each interaction with an isoTracker team member to be helpful and supportive.
Editor’s Score: 85/100
Another very customer-friendly feature we liked can be found on the pricing page. While prices aren’t explicitly listed, customers are able to fill in key information about their document management needs to get an estimated price, even before connecting with an agent. This allows prospective customers to compare prices per user, storage and other features outlined on the website. Using this tool, you can know ahead of time whether isoTracker will suit your needs and budget.
The most secure solution on the list belongs to Canon USA, a company that may be more well-known for its cameras. However, Canon provides a top-tier document management system as well, ensuring that documents remain protected. We liked its robust array of security features, many of which are customizable and can be designed to fit the needs of your team.
Editor’s Score: 83/100
Our favorite feature that Canon provides is its Cloud Remote Monitoring, which can help track devices in real time and ensure they’re being used by authorized personnel. Additionally, there are many built-in security solutions that help protect your documents. Using the imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX platform guarantees your data’s confidentiality, accessibility and availability. There are also many optional authentication features that can be used as an added level of security, which we found increasingly important in the age of remote work.
The Kyocera Cloud Information Manager offers unique features that help your team stay on-task and save time wasted on tedious tasks. We believe it’s best for automation because of all the simple and advanced features the software has to offer. One of our favorites is its ability to analyze documents using OCR and extract keywords to help label documents with one click. This tool streamlines the process of uploading and organizing documents, reducing the work needed by the user.
Editor’s Score: 82/100
We also liked that the Kyocera Cloud Information Manager offers one-click indexing too, saving time when searching for requested documents. Documents can stay organized easily using the “drag and drop” function to immediately get scanned documents onto the web. These automation tools help save time and boost productivity in a way few other solutions we reviewed could.
Dropbox offers great solutions for those looking for document management software, whether you’re a solopreneur or a large team. It may be one of the more common document management solutions because of its free plan option, but it is also well-known for its mobility, allowing remote team members to work seamlessly in the system. We liked that Dropbox offers these capabilities with its free version as well, giving small teams and bootstrapped startups an accessible document management solution.
Editor’s Score: 87/100
Dropbox makes moving documents around simple and saves time when doing so. Users are able to complete an eSignature with the click of a button or request an email signature from someone else. We especially liked that Dropbox can also be used anywhere, so teams that work remotely can connect and search for documents as if they were working in the office. When working remotely, Dropbox offers mobile offline folders. We also liked that it comes with the option of a remote account wipe, which can help you remove sensitive data from a lost or stolen device before it falls into the wrong hands. Whether your team is often on-the-move or the documents you work with are, Dropbox’s mobility features will help your team stay on-task.
Document management software can vary widely in pricing and cost structure. The first and perhaps most important factor in the cost of your document management system is whether you select a cloud-based or on-premises version.
Cloud-based software takes the infrastructure maintenance and burden of security off your business and places it with a third-party company. While this reduces the expense and challenge of managing it in-house, you’ll just have to trust that the company is handling your data properly. Cloud-based software is typically paid for on a subscription basis. For most document management software, this could range from $15 to $200 per month per user, depending on the complexity of the solution you choose.
On-premises versions of document management software require your own servers and, generally, a dedicated information technology staff for maintenance. Your business is wholly responsible for the security of your data, but this also means you have full control over your own data. With on-premises solutions, you generally have to purchase a license for each user. Each license can cost $1,000 or more, but it is a one-time fee. However, on-premises solutions typically charge an additional fee for technical support and software updates after the first year, which is usually about 20 percent of the initial licensing cost.
For small businesses looking for software that is easy to manage and not a large overhead expense, we recommend a cloud-based solution. However, make sure your provider adheres to the best cybersecurity practices to protect your data.
The actual price for document management software varies by company. Systems with more complex features tend to cost more while costs for basic document management software without extra features (such as task management tools and workflow automation functions) can be pretty low. Also, the more users you add to a cloud-based system, the higher the monthly subscription price will be.
Key takeaway: Cloud-based document management software typically costs between $15 and $200 per user, per month. The price varies on how many features and tools you want access to.
While all document management systems digitize and organize documents, making them easy to retrieve and revise for users with permission, many other features might be built into your document management software. Here’s a look at some of the tools and aspects you might want to consider when choosing a document management system.
One of the most important elements of any software is usability. It could offer all the features in the world, but they won’t do you any good if the system isn’t user-friendly. Many document management systems offer free trials that allow you to test them before buying. If possible, allow your team to try out the software during the free trial period and offer their feedback on what they like and dislike about it. Since everyone has to use the system, be sure all stakeholders get the opportunity to test it out and provide insight about their experience before buying.
While the primary function of a document management system is to digitize and organize files, most modern software also allows users to share files and collaborate on editing them. Some document management software allows users to edit a document simultaneously while others rely on a check-in/checkout feature that guarantees only one user can work on a document at a time. Others offer both options. Determine which is best for your team’s workflow and the types of documents you collaborate on together.
Version control, sometimes referred to as “versioning,” is a critical feature of document management software that lets you keep track of changes to a document. The best document management software even maintains an archive of old versions, letting you see how documents have changed over time and revert to an old version if needed. This is especially important when collaborating to edit documents as human error could result in important information being altered or deleted. With version control, you can revert to an old version of the document and recover any lost information easily.
Image scanning and OCR are useful features for businesses that have a lot of paper records they would like to digitize. Scanning is the first step in turning a paper record into a digital file that can be imported into the software. OCR is a more advanced feature, but it’s a necessity for streamlining large digitization projects. OCR reads the text of an image and makes the content of the image searchable. The best document management systems use OCR to fill out metadata automatically and make it even easier to search for the document later.
Document management software is often home to files that require a manager’s signature, such as purchase orders (POs). Many document management systems integrate with an e-signature tool, such as DocuSign, to allow electronic signatures. You can often send a document to a recipient with a request for their signature through the software. This can improve efficiency when it comes to getting clients to sign important documents or when onboarding new employees to the company, helping you to sign and store files in one central location.
Workflow automation features move tasks along automatically. Take a PO workflow as an example: You could set up workflow automation so that once a PO is generated, it goes to the appropriate manager automatically for their signature. The manager will receive a notification, and when the task is complete, the next relevant team member, such as someone in the accounting department or the manager’s supervisor, will be notified. If more action is necessary, you might be able to build that into the automated workflow as well. The best document management systems allow you to customize workflows to suit the way your teams work together.
Tip: Automated workflows can help streamline your business processes and maintain legal compliance.
An essential element of document management software is the ability for administrators to set individual user permissions. Permissions allow certain users to view or edit files while others can be prevented from even seeing those documents in the system. Not only is this useful for efficiency purposes, but it is also an important security measure. The best document management software allows administrators to set permissions by specific groups, as well as to change permissions on the fly if you need to make an exception while keeping the default permissions settings the same.
Many document management systems have a dedicated mobile app. Others rely on web browsers or online portals. Make sure the mobile version of any document management software you are considering is truly mobile-friendly. Even if you personally don’t use it on mobile devices, it is likely other members of your team will.
Not every document management system checks all these boxes while others offer all of them and more. When choosing your document management software, consider which tools and features would be most useful to your business. It is important to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and usability. Some systems can do it all but are a challenge to navigate (not to mention more expensive than simpler software).
Data security is a vital part of any document management system. As an increasing number of businesses go digital, more customers are entrusting sensitive personal information to the companies they do business with. Your organization is responsible for ensuring sensitive information is safe and protected from a data breach.
Did you know?: Look for document management services that offer encryption and compliance tools, auto-updates, data redundancy and backups.
Researching the document management market will help you understand the most common and important features of document management software. Understand the most basic document management software elements like centralized document storage, built-in collaboration and task management, mobile functionality and data security. Identify market leaders and vet your options before selecting the right software for your organization.
Understand your unique document management needs as a business. For instance, maybe you’re seeking a digital archive that can be updated periodically, or perhaps you’d prefer software that enables the daily creation and editing of new documents. Weigh the benefits of a locally hosted, on-premises solution in relation to a cloud-based solution managed by your vendor partner or a third party. Get specific with what you require in a system before searching.
A good document management system is also easy to implement and scale. The complexity of the software should be based on your team’s technical know-how, allowing them to store and locate documents easily as needed. Your team should be able to share documents and collaborate within the platform, even when they are using mobile devices.
Although every document management system should have security protocols, access controls and file versioning, these features are especially important for those operating within heavily regulated industries. Other features that lend to a document management system’s usability are metadata and tagging options, keyword searching, document editing history and restoration, automatic document retention and deletion, image scanning, optical character recognition and customizable workflows. The best software can also integrate with your other business platforms.
Once you understand what you need from document management software, ask the following questions to software providers:
Additionally, read through customer reviews to get a more grounded understanding of each service’s pros and cons. This is where you’ll get the most authentic and holistic view of a particular software and its offerings.
Once you choose document management software and are ready to sign a contract, closely read any legal documents and ensure everything you’ve discussed is in writing, including which features you are getting for your money. Additionally, ensure there is a fair exit strategy included in your contract that does not threaten you with outrageous fees.
Once you start using your document management software, regularly test your performance with it to optimize your workflow. Do this by inputting and storing documents, granting access to your team to make edits or updates to documents and testing document security to ensure your data is safe. Should you run into any issues, address your concerns with the software provider. If they are unable or unwilling to resolve these issues, consider terminating your contract.Key takeaway: Assess your options and consider your unique needs as a business before deciding which document management software is best for you.
A document management system can improve efficiency for you and your staff by organizing all of your files and making them easy for anyone in the organization to find. A good document management software is more than just a file cabinet, but an interactive depository for all the files your organization needs.
If you are currently using a manual system, you are costing yourself hours that could otherwise be spent on other, more pressing business matters. A document management system automates many aspects of document management, taking that responsibility off your hands.
A document management system is more flexible than a traditional paper filing system. It accommodates your business’s growth easily, and your indexing system can be adjusted with a few clicks. For growing businesses, most document management software providers offer multiple pricing tiers, so you can increase your storage capacity as the size of your organization increases.
Ensuring that your information is secure is critical, from customer payment information to company trade secrets. Document management systems come with built-in security and access controls so you determine who can access certain documents. In addition, you can see all activity on any given document. In the event of a disaster, like a fire or flood, your files are stored safely in the cloud, away from physical harm.
Searching for the right document can be difficult and time-consuming; it can even cost you money. With the right indexing system, finding a document can take mere seconds, and employees can access the documents they need remotely. The best systems apply appropriate metadata and tagging automatically to make finding documents even easier, without much need to classify them on the front end.Did you know?: Organizations can lose thousands of hours of productivity each year due to poor document management. Discover some other benefits of a paperless office.
Compliance requirements for many business documents can be complex and demanding, but a document management system can help you avoid fines, revoked licenses or even criminal liability by automating key documents within the requirements. For example, HIPAA and the Sarbanes-Oxley anti-fraud law have strict security and policy regulations regarding documents and records. The best document management systems automatically follow those guidelines, so you can rest easy knowing your business is compliant and has an auditable trail of required documents.
A document management system makes sharing information and collaboration easy, allowing documents from different sources to be accessed from multiple locations. Users can also share documents, monitor workflows, grant or deny access to certain documents and see what
Document management systems are used for several things, including securely storing important documents, tracking changes made to documents and sharing documents easily between members of an organization.
A document management system also makes it easy to find certain files by assigning keywords and tags to each document. These systems can also help companies ensure compliance for sensitive documents, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, by providing required security and permission restrictions on certain key documents.
A document management system captures the document, which is done by scanning the physical document or downloading a digital version via email or using other applications. Next, the document is indexed, meaning it is classified with tags, keywords and metadata that make it so it can be searchable. Finally, the document is organized and placed in a folder, where it can be accessed by the appropriate employees.
Most document management systems are cloud-based, so once a file is appropriately secured into the system, it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.Did you know?: Some document management software providers offer mobile apps, which give users even more flexibility and convenience in accessing documents.
The best document management system should be easy to use; it should allow for document sharing; and it should have collaboration tools, mobile functionality and version control. The first two features allow your team to work together on critical documents without needing to be in the same office. Version control maintains a log of every change (and who made it) to your company’s documents.
You’ll also want to make sure the software you choose offers airtight security protocols to ensure that only those with the right permissions can access files.
Launching today, Clear I-9’s new cloud-based Form I-9 and E-Verify management software helps employers comply with the increasingly complicated regulatory frameworks by simplifying labor-intensive processes, reducing unnecessary errors, and lowering a company’s exposure to costly audits. Backed by Trak Capital, an HR technology-focused investment firm, Clear I-9 offers clients and partners decades of I-9 expertise through the leadership of brand president, Melissa Prentice.
“I am excited to introduce Clear I-9 to the marketplace,” said Clear I-9 President, Melissa Prentice. “Our technology provides a dynamic, compliant, easy-to-use I-9 solution with unparalleled service and support. I am convinced that the features and functionality of this product will surpass current products on the market and help our clients ensure consistency and compliance with their Form I-9's.”
With this administration’s increased focus on immigration and the recent expansion of the IRS, the threat of an audit looms heavy on employers’ minds, making it more crucial than ever for employers to properly verify the identity and employment eligibility of new hires.
Manual I-9 management involves a cumbersome amount of time-sensitive paperwork where mistakes are easily and often made, putting employers at risk for costly audits. According to Sue Kohlwey of the USCIS’s Outreach Branch, 76% of paper I-9 forms have at least one fineable error, 4.1 times higher than electronic 1-9’s with verification. With an average recommended fine of $2,000 per substantive error, inefficient I-9 management exposes employers to thousands of dollars in federal fines.
Removing the weight of over 1,200 I-9 regulations from time-strapped HR teams, Clear I-9’s reminders and notifications ensure forms are completed within U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) timeframes. Built to meet the needs of employers growing a global, remote workforce, Clear I-9 offers the flexibility of remote verifications, third-party Section 2 completion, employee agent selection, and mobile-first intuitive workflows. With Clear I-9’s forensic audit protection, continuous compliance monitoring, document review offerings, and secure document storage, HR professionals can rest easy.
“We are thrilled to have Melissa join the team to launch our newest venture,” said Shannon Scott, Trak Capital’s CEO & Founder. “We are confident Clear I-9 will quickly lead the industry with the most dynamic products, tools, thought leadership, and world class service and support.”
About Trak Capital:
Founded in 2022, Trak Capital is an HR tech investment firm with ownership in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the HR, fintech and compliance sectors. Leveraging the firm's industry expertise and proven strategic and operational capabilities, Trak Capital identifies, strengthens, and scales best-of-breed technologies and service lines. Collaborating with its portfolio companies, Trak Capitol drives growth initiatives, implements best practices, and invests in personnel and automation to accelerate earnings and support companies in realizing their full potential. OnCentive, SyncStream Unemployment Tracker, and Clear I-9 comprise its current portfolio, with plans for additional and ongoing expansion in the space.
Clear I-9 simplifies form I-9 compliance and helps employers meet employment eligibility and E-Verify® mandates.
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