Business intelligence, configuration and content management may be described as the current favourite in the IT industry jargon stakes. But what do they actually mean? And how do they relate to information management?
While buzzwords come and go, one thing remains constant and that is the importance of information integrity. This concept is core to a successful business.
This is according to Spescom Software (Pty) Ltd, regional director, sub-Saharan Africa, Jeff Bowyer.
"The ability to quickly access accurate information in context is a crucial differentiator in today`s competitive environment. Without this, information is nothing more than raw data.
"The management of information is a challenge that is comprised of a myriad of processes. In high risk industries where safety and quality standards are managed, this can literally equate to the difference between life and death."
eB: What does it do?
The eB product suite is a powerful toolbox from which different applications can be developed to suit specific customer requirements.
"eB enables all types of documents and content as well as physical objects, like assets and virtual items, like processes, to be identified, structured, linked and managed throughout their lifecycles," says Bowyer.
"eB automates the change process by keeping information in context, managing the relationships between associated documents, and offers capabilities such as version and security control, workflow management and change effects analysis.
"The records management functions of eB support the enterprise to achieve compliance with legal, regulatory, corporate, quality and other requirements." Information management: Benefits of employing it, dangers of ignoring it
"Outdated, or inaccessible information is useless, results in poor decision-making and can even be dangerous in terms of compliance with safety and quality standards. This is where information management tools designed to capture, manage and access information have a role to play," states Bowyer.
The benefits of utilising such a solution include increased productivity, enhanced service levels due to consistent customer experiences, better staff training, and compliance with safety and business standards. "Integral to information management is knowing how to do things correctly, properly documenting that knowledge and ensuring that compliance to the documented process is achieved. Compliance is accomplished through the ability of all employees to speedily harvest accurate information. Lack of an online compliance strategy can be disastrous in terms of loss of business, inefficient practices and processes and even loss of life for companies operating in areas like mining or heavy industry."
Readiness of SA market for eB and products in this sector
"The US and some parts of Europe have recently moved towards a high level of compliance to documented practices.
"The US has introduced, Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Compliance standards, whereby companies are now forced to not only have transparent business practices in place but also to prove that necessary controls exist to clarify and manage the risk around these procedures," says Bowyer.
"SA is not yet on top of the situation. In many ways it is virgin territory in this country with many companies lacking a strategy that incorporates online management of documentation. This can only be detrimental to SA`s ability to compete as an international investment prospects.
"From the vendors perspective, the document control local market size is estimated to be anywhere from R500 million to R600 million making it an attractive business cherry. International players have commenced targeting the country with product.
Bowyer concludes that Spescom is the major South African company that is developing proprietary technology in this field in the shape of the eB suite of products - already successfully deployed worldwide by companies like Network Rail in the UK.
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