| Enterprise Content Management uses Internet | | | | Enterprise Content Management systems can also |
| technologies to make information accessible from all | | | | help Business to Government - B2G - transactions, |
| over the world. In an age of global business, this | | | | particularly in the context of Government Request for |
| enables employees spread across the globe to | | | | Proposals - RFPs. The company can register with the |
| maintain effective contacts with their headquarters | | | | concerned government departments so that it is |
| and also other offices located anywhere in the world. | | | | alerted to new RFPs relevant to its business. |
| Internet technologies are used to create an | | | | Not only can the company bid against the RFPs |
| intra-business network, and Intranet, that restricts | | | | through it ECM system, but it can also make available |
| access to authorized persons. This means that | | | | requested information such as its financial status, |
| worldwide accessibility is combined with security. | | | | technical competence and references in a more |
| Business-to-Employees | | | | authentic manner. |
| Business-to-Employee - B2E - networks offer | | | | The company that uses an ECM to deal with |
| services and products to employees. It facilitates | | | | government will also find it easy to comply with |
| dissemination of corporate announcements and special | | | | regulatory requirements by having access to the latest |
| offers to employees, as well as online requests for | | | | regulations and relevant forms and rules. Online filing of |
| supplies, reporting of employee benefits and other | | | | reports that can be verified by the government |
| employee-related tasks. | | | | departments online reduces the time involved. |
| Business-to-Business | | | | How ECM Works |
| Business-to-Business - B2B - transactions tend to be | | | | ECM works mainly through the in-house intranet and |
| critical for the smooth flow of business. For example, | | | | company web portals. While the Intranet provides |
| timely deliveries from raw materials suppliers are | | | | information access and communication facilities to the |
| critical to avoid "stock out" stoppages of | | | | company's employees, the web portal allows outsiders, |
| manufacturing operations. | | | | such as suppliers, customers and government, access |
| An Enterprise Content Management system can allow | | | | to needed information and better-quality |
| a supplier to access scheduled requirements of your | | | | communication facilities. |
| supply needs online. It will then be possible for the | | | | The key advantages that are provided by Enterprise |
| supplier to schedule their own manufacturing | | | | Content Management systems are: |
| operations to enable timely deliveries of your | | | | - Provides online access to information from anywhere |
| requirements. | | | | instead of having to move paper documents back and |
| In such a situation, any variations in your manufacturing | | | | forth |
| schedules will be immediately reflected in the supply | | | | - Streamlines time-consuming business processes |
| schedule, and will alert the supplier to cut back or | | | | through collaboration across both short and long |
| speed up deliveries. | | | | distances |
| You can also enhance your relationships with your | | | | - Improves security and audit trails that makes it |
| own customers through ECM. For example, if you are | | | | possible to conduct business more confidently |
| a supplier of important inputs to your customer's | | | | Conclusion |
| operations, you can integrate your ECM with that of | | | | Enterprise Content Management systems make it |
| your customer to alert you about the supply needs, | | | | possible to improve information access and |
| and any changes therein. | | | | communications both in-house with employees (who |
| In both supplier and customer relationships, | | | | might be spread worldwide) and with outside agencies |
| communication can be improved in a major way | | | | such as suppliers, customers, and government. |
| through instant messaging, bulletin boards, online | | | | It’s even possible to integrate outside systems |
| meetings, and other similar devices. The ability to | | | | with the company’s own, in a secure manner, |
| establish immediate, direct contact and to | | | | to speed up business transactions. |
| communicate requirements with sufficient clarity will | | | | These lead to faster completion of transactions and |
| improve relationships. | | | | streamlined business processes, which in turn lead to |
| Business-to-Government | | | | far-better business results. |