An Electronic Document Management System is of paramount importance to tracking, securing, managing and transferring large files expediently and securely, in an easy and cost-effective way.  Observe any successful team and you will notice several elements that catapulted their success. 

One of the elements is communication or having a system in place so that each team player synchronizes as one to achieve a common goal

From the high levels of government to the salesman selling a vehicle, keeping records and documenting crucial information is deemed standard and necessary at every level of society, in order to keep things functioning in an orderly fashion, with backup information that keeps track of the origins and history of any given subject.   In business, the way of the past was to keep a filing system that kept all important documents together in alphabetical or numerical order.  With the advancement of technology, tracking, transferring and sharing files became easier with solutions such as email and FTP, which became popular ways to accomplish these tasks.  However, security, lost data and computer crashes became issues that contributed to lost time, money and documentation.

With architecture, construction and engineering firms specifically, any disruption or loss with documentation could prove to be detrimental and bring a halt or serious delay to the completion of a project.  There are five (5) top reasons architecture firms should use Electronic Document Management System:

1. Security – A system with a multi-level secure platform will maintain privacy, compliancy and control, keeping track of anyone who sees the document, complying with regulations set by the Federal government.
2. Communication – It is crucial that communication stays active between all parties to systematically work as one to achieve the common goal of starting, working on and completing a project.  Having a system in place to provide and share important information is pivotal to smooth operations and success.
3. Save Time and Money – Paper, postage, photocopies, printing costs, fax machines, couriers, filing cabinets will all take a chunk out of profit.  Physical filing systems prove inadequate, as documents can be lost, stolen or damaged.  
4. Protection – Misplaced or lost files will slow work down; whereas, a document that is scanned can be backed up on remote servers.  In the event of a natural disaster, theft, loss or vandalism, documents will be protected.
5. Quality Customer Service – With a competent system, productivity and quality increases which allows for more time to focus on the client, responding to any requests in a timely manner, which increases a solid reputation, as well as profits. 

Architecture, Construction and Engineering firms are constantly tracking and exchanging important documents.  A tool is needed that requires no special or hardware installations, works with Mac and other PCs, supports Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and other browsers, and will allow the architecture, construction and engineering industries to securely transfer any kinds of files, PFDs, CAD drawings, MS Word documents, high resolution graphics and images.  eTransmittal, an electronic document management system, is a file transfer service designed specifically architecture, construction and engineering firms.