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Patient Records - But Mine Is Special

Over the past few months, I have had the good fortune to speak at several events focused on healthcare. This is something I heard many times, “but mine is special”. The reference here was what the ... read more

Of Hospitals and Technologies

I was reading an article today that reminded me of the Y2K era - remember that? I was working with an ECM solution provider focused on the transportation industry. Something that stuck with me was ... read more

Mobile Pitfalls and Getting Started

In this AIIM 2013 preview, learn about how mobile tools fit into your overall enterprise content management strategy. I’ll be teaching a one-day pre-conference tutorial of AIIM’s ECM course. If you... read more

Smartphones: The Exciting New Risk

I was contemplating writing about information security today in reference to the news story about how some of the confetti used at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade contained personal information that... read more

Teaching An Old Dog

Today I made a new leap into a land I thought I would never tread, the land of the Mac. Yes folks, I am now using a MacBook Air and while it is taking a little bit of time and patience to learn the... read more

But I only changed one thing

I hear this from time to time. I only changed one little thing and bam everything fell apart. The reason everything fell apart is that when you change something in a process, no matter how large or... read more

Paper: Why take the risk?

I was just reviewing the listings on the US Department of Health and Human Services website, citing patient information breaches affecting more than 500 individuals. At the time of this writing, th... read more

Managing Knowledge

Knowledge Management is not a new term or concept. In fact the first time I was exposed to it was in the mid 1990’s. I remember when I first heard the concepts back then, thinking this is a very in... read more

They want my Social Media content

Interesting statement isn’t it. You may be thinking that I am throwing this out there just to get your attention and you might be right. Did it work? I hope so because this statement is a real one ... read more

The dog ate my homework

Many of us remember, and may have used this excuse when we were younger. For some reason, we made a choice not to complete a school assignment and when the teacher asked for it, the answer was the ... read more

To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before

Have you ever thought about charting the enterprise? To boldly go where no one before you in your organization has gone? I know, it sounds like an episode of Star Trek, but in reality, there are ti... read more

Doctor it hurts when I do this

I know, and the punch line is well don’t do that, barump ching! In the case of patient records, what hurts or can hurt many is non-compliance to regulatory mandates, especially when something can b... read more

Memorizing Is Not Learning

According to the Encarta Dictionary, to learn is to acquire knowledge or skills while to memorize is to commit something to memory. Over the years I have seen many cases where one attends a class o... read more

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

This is what the Munchkins in the movie the Wizard of Oz told Dorothy when she asked how to get to the Emerald City to see the Wizard. It is a simple set of instructions and the process is clear, f... read more

Smartphone or SmartUser

I hear this term Smartphone and I envision a classroom full of phones learning how to read, do calculations and eventually graduating from Smartphone school with the designation Smartphone duly con... read more

Student Perspectives: An Interview with Subba Marellapudi of KPMG

Many students are often open to discussing their perspectives on the training, educational experiences and value they received as a result of attending an AIIM Training program. I recently had the ... read more

Capture: Process Consistency Matters

Lawyers are at the door, and you are confident that the information you are providing in support of your case is accurate and complete. At a cursory level, you are right but have you considered def... read more

We Offer Content Management

This is a statement being offered by many but is it really content management or merely storing documents that are linked to a database record? Questions that immediately arise in my mind when I he... read more

Finding Value in ECM

We often hear of benefits resulting from an ECM initiative and find many seeking to identify the benefits related to ECM but what of value? If you ask someone for the meaning of benefit in relation... read more

Student Perspectives: An Interview with Don Eichelberger of Johns Hopkins University

Many students are often open to discussing their perspectives on the training, educational experiences and value they received as a result of attending an AIIM Training program. I recently had the ... read more

No Cloud - No Healthcare

Did I get your attention? You are probably wondering how the cloud and healthcare are related. Well here is a little story based on real life experience. I am preparing for a trip outside the US – ... read more

Mobile Makes a Difference

I want you to take time and think about a process you have and information related to that process. Now ask these few questions. Where does the information come from? How does it ent... read more

BPM: Understanding Organizational Culture

No matter what you think or have been told, BPM will impact the culture of your organization. It will inherently change the way things are done and how people work, so in that light, you must plan ... read more

What's Your Process

Hi there, it’s time to play What's Your Process; the fun new way to increase and enhance your operational efficiency. I know what you are thinking. Bob is once again falling off the deep end. Not t... read more

Court Ruling: Paper Must Go

I was just reading an article on News-Press.com titled “Florida courts to ditch paper and go electronic”, about how the Florida Supreme Court is committed to this move, making it mandatory that all... read more

Don't be afraid of Big Data

At a strategic level, many folks have a perception of what Big Data is but many I have talked with are reluctant to move in that direction due to a fear of the unknown. In other words, they think t... read more

Student Perspectives: Interviews on AIIM Training

I have found that our students are often open to discussing their perspectives on the training and educational experiences of attending an AIIM Training program. I recently had the opportunity and ... read more

Social Media - The Key to Immortality

We hear a lot today about how social media is having an impact on our lives. We are now able to share our likes, dislikes, accomplishments and disappointments with friends and family through tools ... read more

I cannot find my information

I like to watch what is going on in relation to information management – who doesn’t right? In particular, since the healthcare industry is on the move to go digital with patient records, I like to... read more

It Came From The Cloud

One of the directions many organizations are moving in is the use of customer facing applications that extend reach into the consumer base. This is a highly desired approach, especially from a cust... read more

Thoughts On Mobile Collaboration

Imagine you are George, an information management consultant. In your role, you spend a lot of time on the road, in various customer locations and like many road warriors, in the air. For you colla... read more

Of Content and Process

There are some folks who believe that content and process are less related that one might believe. Content is content and process is process; never the twain shall meet. My belief is that content a... read more

Driving Social Technology Acceptance

Think about that statement for a moment. I heard someone recently that their organization is moving to “drive social acceptance” in the workplace. This to me sounds like trying to get your kids to ... read more

Kodak: The End of an Era

This week Eastman Kodak Co., a pioneer and longtime industry camera and film leader, announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. While most known for their cameras, film and film p... read more

Know the Requirements

This is going to sound a bit soapbox I know but, but I think it is important on many levels. I have a nephew in the greater Boston area who recently tried to purchase tickets to the Bruins hockey g... read more

Automate your content-intensive processes and unclog your business

I'll be speaking about this topic at AIIM 2012 (San Francisco. March 20 - 22). My session will be on March 22 at noon; Automate Your Content-Intensive Processes and Unclog Your Business. For m... read more

Technology Misuse or a Lack of Common Sense

While having lunch today, I was reading an article by Eric Zeman of Information Week Titled “Cell Phone Driving Ban: Good Idea?” and the thought crossed my mind that this is perhaps not a misuse bu... read more

I Always Feel Left Out

There are many times this can be said whether it is real or perceived, especially among the ranks of the employee when related to implementing new technology or processes. It is unfortunate but com... read more

This is a statement I hear over and over gain in that a company made a purchase and then feels like they were dealing with the fictitious 3 Stooges firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe. (Those of you ol... read more

As I attend more virtual events, I have come to the realization that not all organizations and not every individual is meant to do this, or, they need more and better training on how to do it prope... read more

Totally Mobile!

Every time I hear this term “totally mobile” it reminds me of a friend I had in high school who was raised in California and moved to New England. He had been working on an old car his Dad gave him... read more

Are you thinking multi-dimensionally?

What does that mean, multi-dimensional thinking? It really depends on your perspective and role in an organization. When we talk about design and development organizations, multi-dimensional might ... read more

To Understand is to Know

As many of you know, my position as Director of AIIM Education takes me to many interesting places around the world. I am fortunate in that I get to meet people from many cultures and though we may... read more

Process Automation = Paranoia

Demand for process automation is rapidly increasing as organizations struggling to compete in a stressed economy work to survive and hopefully grow. The concept of process automation is a sound dir... read more

How bright do you shine?

I was reading an interesting article this morning about how a person seeking to move up in an organization or seeking new employment really needs to stand apart from the crowd. In particular, the w... read more

Paperless in Heathcare: The Carrot and the Stick

I was thumbing through this week’s InformationWeek magazine and ran across an ad promoting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) incentives for professionals and hospitals who can demo... read more

Rely fully on the technology. Really?

Imagine an information management environment where all you have to do is turn on technology and it maintains your information perfectly, flawlessly and forever. No more worrying about a taxonomy o... read more

Here we are, Florida in August, headed to the height of hurricane season. This time of year always makes me think about being ready for the possibility that nature might decide to wreak havoc. It i... read more

Hey! I know you.

Recognition. Having the ability to see something or someone and know what it is or who they are. We humans have this capability through lifelong learning. We start from the day we are born, learnin... read more

See an Opportunity? Take it!

This week I was reminded of how quick time passes and how short life is, when I learned that a good friend of mine, Mark, had died in his sleep at the age of 50. This was and still is a shock to me... read more

FDA: Embracing Mobile Devices

I recently ran across a post on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website titled “FDA Proposes Health APP Guidelines”. The fact that the FDA has taken a proactive approach in this area ... read more

A Lost Practice: Stamping

I was reminiscing the other day with a friend about how when we began our careers in a time that only mainframe computers with dumb terminals existed – I know I am dating myself again – there was a... read more

We’re talking content, not process.

This is a statement I have heard over and over again when discussing an ECM environment. All too often folks look at process as being a series of events that can be documented on a flow chart, with... read more

Not planning to go mobile? Guess again.

I was reading an MSNBC post this morning by Suzanne Choney that really struck home. (I am one of the majorities in this one.) The post title is a bit deceiving as it states, “25 percent use smartph... read more

I went to visit my Doctor this week for the usual check-up. I am happy to say all is fine with me but the visit did spark something of a discussion in his office about regulatory compliance and how... read more

Social Networking: What's old is new again.

Social networking is not a new concept in fact it is really quite old with formal recognition surfacing in the 1800’s yet if you consider ancient Rome and Greece, one might say that it really began... read more

Technology does not equal ECM

There are many times in my classes and lectures when I have asked the simple question, what does ECM mean to you and the response is related purely to technology. When I hear this, I cannot say the... read more

Longevity: An Ancient Lesson

I just returned from a vacation trip in the Mediterranean region. This is something that my wife and I had talked about for many years, the idea that we would explore the ancient ruins in Rome, Ath... read more

Tweet. Post. Get Fired.

It is amazing how many folks are facing the possibility that they could be fired for something they Tweeted or posted in Facebook, LinkedIn or other social media outlets. A quick search shows the g... read more

Content Organization before Technology Application

One thing I have heard over and over in this industry is that the technology is in place but the situation is still no better than it was. Findability of information is still a major challenge and ... read more

You’ve got problems. You’re not alone.

Many times in my classes and at various lectures, I am told by students and attendees that they are relieved to learn they are not the only ones struggling with various organizational issues. No ma... read more

Capture: Choosing the right tool for the job

Last week I attended the AIIM/info360 conference in Washington, DC and as always, found it to be interesting and challenging, especially when it comes to hardware. Not that I have a hard time under... read more

BPM: The Tsunami Effect

First, to all of my friends in Japan, I hope you and your families are well and I wish you all the best in these trying times. As I watch the news stories about the earthquake and resulting tsu... read more

We don't need no stinking governance..

I am still amazed that so many folks feel there is no need for an “official” governance practice when we have so much technology to handle all of our needs. I know this sounds like I am an old foge... read more

Capture: The benefit is there, have you realized it?

When I mention capture in relation to Enterprise Content Management (ECM), most people immediately think of scanning or imaging. The reality is capture, in full and as defined in the AIIM Industry ... read more

Are you the Scan Man?

When you think about it we are all the Scan Man these days, with the capability to capture information anywhere at any time. Capture of paper-based information is now a commodity available to any a... read more

How did this get here?

This is a question that should be asked in relation to content entering a process. How did that get here? We get information sent to use constantly by email, fax, and any other means possible inclu... read more

A Social Networker said what?

As I sit here in the Delta Sky Club at Detroit Airport pondering the impact social networking and social networking tools have made and continue to make in both our personal and business lives, I a... read more

SharePoint and the China Syndrome

The China Syndrome is a hypothetical scenario, portrayed in the 1979 movie titled the China Syndrome, where an extreme nuclear meltdown occurs within a reactor and the molten core breaches the cont... read more

All Work is Canceled Due to Weather

Take a look at the news and you immediately see that the weather is creating problems for many individuals and companies. Employees cannot get to work due to ice, snow or whatever else nature has t... read more

Information Privacy and Security: Are you at risk?

I find myself reading an article this morning titled “Court: No warrant needed to search cell phone”, posted by Bob Sullivan on MSNBC’s the Red Tape Chronicles and wondering how ECM, ERM, content s... read more

What's in your future?

Well here we are in 2011, not only a new year but a new decade and I wish for all of you, the very best for the future. The entering of a new year brings about many things. We hear resolutions bein... read more

Yes Melissa, it does have workflow

Once upon a time, Melissa, while pondering the use of SharePoint, asked the question, “Does it have workflow?” Her teacher answered, “Since workflow, defined in your case as the ability to move in... read more

Look Inside First

One of the many things I have seen over the years, and often discuss in my classes, is the fact that organizations seek to purchase technology to solve an issue without knowing what they have in ha... read more

What, When, Where, Why, and How

These are five things you need to know in relation to converting your paper based information. When you begin the process of conversion to digital format, one of the comments I often hear is, “we w... read more

Driving Organizational Behaviours

When establishing an ECM environment, one of the key considerations is organizational behaviours. How the organization will function. This should be based on a core set of ECM principles and the vi... read more

Seen but not Heard

We have heard this before, probably as children. In days past, grandparents might be heard to say, “Children should be seen but not heard”, especially around adults who are trying to have an adult ... read more

So, you’re planning to use SharePoint, why?

Perhaps you are in a situation where your organization is evaluating the use of SharePoint or you may be the one whose organization made the choice and now you are faced with making it all work. Th... read more

When Something Goes Wrong

I think Australian Author Clive James said it best when he said, “It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are. “ Think about this for a second. OK time’s up. When I... read more

What’s upfront is what counts

Ok, you’re probably thinking, what’s he talking about, the front of what? Well I’ll tell you it is what we do upfront – in advance – as part of the ECM, ERM, SharePoint or any project that makes al... read more

Co-creation and SharePoint

Here I am sitting in New York City preparing for the AIIM BPM Master class I will be delivering this week. On my flight to NYC, I heard a couple of people use the term co-creation regarding a docu... read more

Build it and they will come

If you have seen the movie Field of Dreams, the title of this post will be familiar. Unfortunately, this is a saying that is not restricted to the movie but is often used in business, or at least a... read more

Diffent place, same problem

As I travel around the world meeting new people, discussing ECM, BPM and other related topics, it is interesting to watch reactions. Many people feel their organizations are struggling with problem... read more

It is all about process!

For those who watched the Lions play this past Sunday, what you heard and continue to hear was how the process of what once was considered to be a touchdown catch, was not finished. Thus the touchd... read more

WORM=Repurposing

I know, those of you have been around for a while must be thinking, “Bob have gone crazy! WORM means Write Once Read Many.” You are correct, is certain instances, when talking about protecting cont... read more

Coming to a landfill near you: Health Records!

Did I get your attention? Good. You need to pay attention to this message because it not only shows vulnerability and lack of control but reinforces the need for strong governance over records and ... read more

BPM is a Team Sport

In many of my classes and lectures I am often asked who is responsible for a Business Process Management (BPM) project. Who should be leading the effort and own the responsibility of it all? While ... read more

Even the Capture Process Needs Consistency

One of the key elements in maintaining a state of compliance or even defensibility of your information management practices and processes is consistency. Capture is no exception and when you look a... read more

Earth: Such a Tiny Planet

Here I sit at the Doha Marriott, enjoying the view, reflecting on the past week and looking to the week ahead. Fully connected and executing those activities I need to carry out in relation to my j... read more

SharePoint: A Point of Confusion

Recent AIIM Research reveals that the rapid adoption rate for SharePoint has created confusion in many organizations regarding their future strategy for information management,particularly those wi... read more

There's more to a SharePoint environment than just technology!

This week AIIM announced the availability of a Certificate program focused on best practices for adopting and implementing Microsoft SharePoint 2010 that goes beyond technology to the necessary str... read more

If BPM is important, use it!

Recent findings in the AIIM Industry Watch Report titled Business Process Management: Are we Making the Most of Content-Driven Processes, show that 69% of the 495 responding companies consider BPM ... read more

IT-The New Corporate Gold Mine?

Interesting concept isn’t it, looking to IT for ways to increase revenue and profits? The concept really isn’t new but I think it is gaining a whole new perspective and appreciation. I was reading ... read more

Enhancing Information Management in Health Care

A common topic of discussion in my classes and at various speaking engagements is how digital patient records are here and there is no place to hide from it. The mandate came early from President O... read more

Trains, Planes, Trucks and Information

There is no doubt that transportation companies know how to move materials in an efficient and expeditious manner, but moving freight also requires moving information. Since this is their business ... read more

Sanctuary!a term that means a safe place, a quiet place, a place you can go to find refuge from the storm. That storm could be many things and to some in my classes, it was home or at least until w... read more

Cut Paper, Cut Government Spending

In 1980, the United States passed a federal law called The Paperwork Reduction Act. This law was amended in 1995 recognizing the substantial increase in electronic information and additional requir... read more

Physician, Heal Thy Process

There is no secret about the reason for the healthcare sector to increase focus on content, records and process management. Mandates from the Obama Administration and Health and Human Services (HHS... read more

This magical, mystical thing called SharePoint

Ah SharePoint, that ever elusive, all inclusive solution that many find interesting, some are using but few completely understand. When I hear people talk about SharePoint, especially in my classes... read more

Is SaaS the answer?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is an increasingly popular topic these days. In my classes and in the after conversations of my lectures, I often have discussions focused on some of the advantages and... read more

Is SharePoint alone, enough?

Organizations are facing the reality that electronic information is or can be a record and as such are now trying to address how they will manage this mounting mass. AIIM research and in discussion... read more

Cool tools but do they fit?

iPad, iPhone, Android, surface technology, all of it is wonderful, mesmerizing the techie in many of us. The world of cool tools and gadgets of all types tends to take us into a dream world where e... read more

Evolution to the next level

We hear all sorts of discussion about Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0 technologies, adoption and now the evolution to Web and Enterprise 3.0 is being discussed but what exactly is the evolutionary step ... read more

You must include digital files as records

Are you developing your records management instruments and solutions in the same way that you previously handled your paper or are you excluidng them, perhaps not intentionally but excluding them n... read more

Living in a land unknown

Everywhere you go and everywhere you look, there is information coming at you. Reaching the Zeta byte range, this information hits you from all sides and in every form attacking your sight and hear... read more

Welcome the the DIY Generation

The concept of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) is not a new one in fact it has been around for many years. I can remember as a teenager working on my cars – of course that was my interpretation of what I drov... read more

Email and Policy: Like Oil and Water

Here we go again, another state agency, this time in New Hampshire, has raised the challenge of email management and was highlighted in the May 9, 2010 post on the UnionLeader.com. In this article,... read more

Succession Planning

This week I was faced with one of the harsh realities of life, death. My uncle unexpectedly passed away and I, along with my wife, accompanied my mother to the services. All in all it was a very fi... read more

Are we evolving or regressing?

In my classes I often promote discussion on the current, past and future state of information management. Typically there will be pros and cons about most aspects and I once posed the statement tha... read more

Are you a Thought Leader?

The term itself implies one must have thought before one can become a “Thought Leader” and since we all have thoughts, we must now explore the term in whole. In researching the term, I found refere... read more

The secret word this week is: Email

Once again this week we are hearing about email as a source of reference in a hearing and the problematic issue for organizations. I am of course referring to the current inquest into Goldman Sachs... read more

Practice makes perfect!

If you have ever attended one of my classes or heard me speak at an event, one of the things you will consistently hear is my mantra about practice. In ECM, BPM, ERM or whatever segment you wish to... read more