Editorial

Editorial - December 1998

by Richard N. Stover, Editor & Publisher

Just as many changes are encompassing our industry, I am pleased to announce additional

directions for Document Management Magazine to meet these changes. One significant change which vendors can't ignore is the desire of organizations to distribute all documents as internet-compatible documents.

The second significant change is the impact that ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems are having on the Imaging and Document Management markets. This creates a current dichotomy in that ERP systems are not yet Web-enabled. ERP which is business-critical and is being implemented as the current network backbone of the organization, needs to work with Imaging and Document Management systems that are being Web-enabled, to supply the documents needed by businesses. And since the business-critical ERP systems require large capital expenditures, guess which ones get the high-level executive attention. How these systems will integrate to provide all of the functionality needed along with exemplar case studies, is the information we will be covering in future issues of the magazine.

First, to address the impact that the internet is having on our industry, we will continue building Document Management as a "cybermagazine" with the long standing Web address of www.docmanage.com. The print version of Document Management will continue to build and promote the cybermagazine.

Secondly, to address the impact that ERP is having on the Imaging and Document Management industry, we will be adding a new section to the cybermagazine with the title "Enterprise Resource Management," and eventually with a new Web address of www.ermdm.com.

We invite you to visit our Web site to get all of the quality case studies and information that you expect in the printed version of Document Management Magazine. Enterprise Resource Management (ERM) will specialize in covering ERP integration with EDM (Electronic Document Management) and PDM (Product Data Management). Both ERP and EDM/PDM technologies are needed to address the Enterprise Resource Management needs of Global 2000 companies. As industry analysts providing these publications, we look forward to supplying the leading-edge information that you need on the directions of our industry.

To the many vendors who support us, we value your support for our new cyber format as well as the printed editions. Our new Banner Ads can provide new and expanded audiences for your products.

And now, your news can be posted virtually as we receive it! This new online News Service can display all of your news for periods up to six months at a time. To get your news posted on this new online News Service, check out the media information posted in the "About" section on docmanage.com. All news must be supplied in digital form. And as part of our "paper reduction" process, we ask that vendors no longer send faxed or mailed information. Please refer to our latest Editorial Calendar also posted on the Web site for details. Call 602-502-2285 or email us: docmanage@aol.com for a rate sheet and information to sign-up for our News Service.

See you on the Web and in our next printed edition...