Overcoming Ghosts of RIM Past: Embracing Digitization & Compliance in the New Year

Overcoming Ghosts of RIM Past: Embracing Digitization & Compliance in the New Year

Jamie Greenstein

As we begin a new chapter and prepare for an eventful year in the ever-evolving world of information management, let’s look at some of the trends and strategic guidance from Access’s last webinar of 2023, The Ghosts of RIM Past, Present, and Future: Yearly Wrap-Up and 2024 Predictions. This session — featuring Access’ Gary Roy, Matt Bennett, and Jennifer Bula, moderated by Jamie Greenstein — was packed with takeaways, insights, and practical advice for records and information management professionals. From discussing the nuances of digitization to exploring the intricacies of compliance and AI, the webinar panelists provided plenty of useful advice for a successful and forward-thinking 2024.

Reshaping Traditional Records Management

Regional Account Executive Gary Roy on Legacy Media Digitization

In today’s records and information management landscape, digitization isn’t just a trend; it’s a transformational process that streamlines data accessibility and enhances security. Transitioning from physical to digital records is not merely about convenience; it’s about embracing a future where information is more accessible, secure, and manageable. Gary Roy’s insights set the tone of the discussion by challenging traditional views on records management, “It’s not about discarding the old ways, but about integrating innovation with cost-effectiveness and efficiency,” he remarked. This sentiment underscores the need for taking a strategic approach to adopting new technologies.

Leveraging New Technology and Automation

Senior Marketing Manager Jamie Greenstein on Strategic Planning, Cost Implication, and Best Practices

The role of technology and automation in transforming RIM was a key topic. AI’s role in automating classification, improving data analysis, and enhancing decision-making processes was explored. The integration of AI into information management is not a future possibility; it’s a present reality that’s reshaping how we handle and interpret data. Jamie Greenstein emphasized, “AI isn’t just an add-on; it’s a transformative tool for managing diverse data formats.” This highlights the significance of embracing AI to streamline RIM processes.

Access Unify™, a ‘just-in-time’ scanning solution that leverages autoclassification and AI, was discussed as a practical solution to meet the ever-growing digitization demand.

Addressing Outdated and Inherited Systems

Business Development Executive Matt Bennett on Digitization Goals

Outdated and inherited systems and formats represent roadblocks to many organizations’ data transformation goals. Matt Bennett highlighted the need to audit and replace these systems with digital-friendly alternatives. “Purging old systems is crucial for embracing new, more efficient technologies,” he advised. Multiple software applications often complicate the simplicity that automation promises. This is where consolidation becomes necessary and can be even more important in an acquisition. Including cross-functional teams such as IT and compliance professionals in these important decisions not only makes sure you have the proper ‘know-how,’ but also ensures organizational security.

Balancing Digitization with Compliance

Regional Account Manager Jen Bula on Ensuring Data Security and Compliance

Digitization promises simplicity, but it doesn’t eliminate compliance concerns. Understanding inventory, and undertaking routine cleanups, ensures you stay within the retention rules and compliance policies, acting as a preventative measure against breaches, data loss, and unauthorized access. Jennifer Bula pointed out the critical balance required: “In sensitive industries like healthcare, compliance is not an option but a requirement. There’s no gray area – we’re either compliant or not.” Solutions like Access Unify, are built with compliance at their core, ensuring that digitization goes hand in hand with adhering to regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

As we step into 2024, the landscape of records and information management continues to evolve. We need to continue dealing with the “ghosts of RIM past” and lay out a path for ourselves and other professionals to not only keep up with these changes but to leverage them for strategic advantage. Embracing digitization, adhering to compliance, integrating new technology, and securing executive buy-in are not just strategies; they’re necessities for thriving. As Gary Roy aptly summarized, “The future of RIM depends on our ability to adapt and innovate.”


To dive deeper into these insights and explore more strategies for a successful RIM journey in 2024, we invite you to watch the on-demand recording of this webinar. Gain firsthand knowledge from and start transforming your records and information management practices today.

Watch The Webinar Now!