Aside from the obvious time required to digitize any content
that is currently in paper form, there are parts of the process that can be
very time consuming:

• Any customizations to make the ECM fit your team’s requirements will add time to the overall process.
• Merging the ECM with your existing technological infrastructure can be a difficult task if the two weren’t compatible in the first place.
• Even when you think the system is in place, it’s a good idea to allow a group of users test the system out before you completely switch over.
• Your team may be able to receive vendor training during implementation, but afterward, your team will likely need training with your specific system.

And those are just a few areas that can lengthen your ECM’s implementation timeline. Despite these necessary phases, there are ways that you can ensure that your ECM deployment goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. There are two major ways to keep things from getting out of hand:

1. Planning

If you’re wondering how you can speed implementation along, the answer is short and sweet: plan thoroughly. Having a detailed understanding of the workflows your team needs and how they’ll use them will give your implementation process a clear path to completion. Choosing an ECM that is compatible with your company’s technological infrastructure can also save significant time and prevent unforeseen difficulties. From choosing the best ECM for your company to planning how you’ll use it, you should take these measures to shorten the process from the very beginning of your search.

2. Scope

An important part of the planning process should be establishing the scope of the current ECM implementation. Especially during this stage, it may seem simple to incorporate this or that into your new system as you go, but each new addition takes time, and those small additions add up. By establishing a clearly prioritized scope for the project ahead of time, your team will stay focused and finish faster. Keep track of the areas that tempt you to expand your scope, and set up plans to incorporate them when the initial implementation is complete.

Thorough planning and finding the right ECM can be overwhelming tasks for many companies. If you want expert guidance during this process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!