Data About Data: What Does Metadata Mean?

Metadata is a term for the information and characteristics of documents or images, not explicit in their content or naming convention; the author, creation date, and a record of interactions with the file are all examples of metadata.

Metadata is also the key component in forming audit trails that verify electronic documents, ensuring their legal admissibility, compliant processing, analysis, and secure storage.

Why is Metadata Necessary for Document Management?

Metadata mechanisms are critical to Document Management, helping to organise and retrieve documents in a way that leads to more productive, insightful outcomes.

Managing quantity

Organisations manage vast amounts of electronic documents that contain business-critical information. This can quickly become overwhelming without proper organisation. 

Metadata can filter documents using advanced search terms. For example, a user can search all records created by a specific author or on a particular date, increasing the searchability of your archive and administrative productivity.

Compliance

Advanced search features dynamically group documents, the status of grouped documents can then be changed simultaneously. This tool is powerful for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, such as retention policies or data privacy regulations. 

Version History

Metadata is used to show how the original version has become the most current version, a record of all changes made gives a transparent overview of the document's history.

This allows users to view the complete lifecycle of a document, including all modifications, revisions, and updates, information that can be used forensically to troubleshoot internal processes or settle disputes. 

Future-proof 

Formats like PDF/A-3 embed metadata and standardise design variables. 

This means your data will always be recoverable when technological change causes you to move to a new system or software.

How to use Metadata to Improve Document Management

A schema is a set of rules and standards that define what metadata to generate, when a document or image is stored in a Document Management system, and how it will be used. 

By establishing a metadata schema that aligns with your business, its goals, and regulatory requirements, you stand to take full advantage of the features of a sophisticated Document Management system. Features like system analysis, KPI reporting, and advanced searching all contribute to document control best practices that increase the productivity of your document processes and protect your information.

A Document Management system that does it all

Apogee work with you to digitise and constantly develop your document management practices, while offering round the clock support.

With years of experience solving physical problems with digital solutions, we guarantee each of our services evolve and scale along side your business.

Begin your digital transformation journey today by booking a consultation through the form below!