Paperless Office?

[Gary V.]

First I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this
but figured it would be a good place to start.

I would for a company that like many others have a lot of
paperwork we have to keep. We do have a computer network
but I'm building them a new SBS 2003 network. I want to
store if not all, most of the paperwork on the server for
indexing and fast searching. So does MS Office have a way
to do this, say some kind of file cabinet? On a side note
the server has SQL server for maybe more efficient
storage. I have never done this but I know it can be
done. The PC's well have Office 03. Any point in the
right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for
your time.

 

[Rob Schneider]

Huge challenge, I suspect. Office applications all can save files to a
file server. However, Office probably won't meet your expectations to
provide server-baed indexing or direct access to SQL server.

Also, you don't say what the "paper work" is. This is crucial to
understand. You'll want to look at server based applications that
support the company's work proceses. The goal of removing paper may not
be the true business opportunity nor provide the benefits which justify
the investment. You need to be careful/sure about what you are going after.

You'll probably want to make some evolutionary, not revolutionary
changes. Find a company from which you can emulate their work processes.

Look into document management products for the way forward.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms

 

[Gordon]

First I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this
but figured it would be a good place to start.

I would for a company that like many others have a lot of
paperwork we have to keep. We do have a computer network
but I'm building them a new SBS 2003 network. I want to
store if not all, most of the paperwork on the server for
indexing and fast searching. So does MS Office have a way
to do this, say some kind of file cabinet? On a side note
the server has SQL server for maybe more efficient
storage. I have never done this but I know it can be
done. The PC's well have Office 03. Any point in the
right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for
your time.

If you are in the UK, have a look at this:
http://www.microgen.co.uk/microgen/docs/company/home/home_a.htm

They are one of the biggest players in Document storage and retrieval
solutions.

(BTW, I don't work for them although I used to!)