Global information management

Motivated by the need to improve efficiency, many people consider Information Management as the deployment of new technologies such as content or document management systems, data warehousing or portal applications.

Unfortunately, technology-centric projects have a poor track record of success, and most organisations are still struggling to deliver an integrated Information Management environment. Many companies are now onto their second or third attempt at solving the challenge. You’ll be glad to know, we’ve got the solution.

Global information management is not easy. There are many systems to integrate, a huge range of business needs to meet, and complex organisational (and cultural) issues to solve. We know the critical success factors for Global Information Management projects and are able to implement proven solutions.

Common Information Management problems include:

• A large number of disparate information management systems
• Little integration or coordination between information systems
• Range of legacy systems requiring upgrading or replacement
• Multilingual systems are not centralized
• Competition between Information Management systems
• No clear strategic direction for the overall technology environment
• Limited and patchy adoption of existing information systems by staff
• Poor quality of information (lack of consistency, duplication, out-of-date information)
• Little recognition and support of Information Management by senior management
• Limited resources for deploying, managing or improving information systems
• Lack of enterprise-wide definitions for information types and values
• Many diverse business needs and issues
• Lack of clarity
• Difficulties in changing practices and processes of staff
• Internal politics affecting the ability to coordinate activities enterprise-wide
• Limited or no language asset management

Sound familiar? While the list above is daunting, there are practical solutions that work within these limitations and issues. In terms of technology…

Information Management encompasses systems such as:

• web content management
• document management
• records management
• case management
• digital asset management
• learning management systems
• collaboration workspaces
• enterprise search
• language asset management

Information Management is, however, much more than just technology; it is the business process and practice that underpins the creation and use of information. It is also about the information itself, including the structure of information (information architecture), metadata, content quality, languages and more.

Information Management encompasses:

• people (from different cultures)
• process (training and workflow)
• technologies
• content

Each of these must be addressed if Information Management projects are to succeed.

Information Management is not a technology problem

Rather, it is about the organisational, cultural and strategic factors that must be considered to improve management of information. Our consultants can help you prepare a strategy and deploy a solution that will meet your global information management objectives; either as part of a long term efficiency gain, or in the form of short term assistance. We are here to help. Find out more by contacting one of our consultants today.