ISO 15489 - Records Management

What is ISO 15489?

ISO 15489 is about electronic records management. ISO 15489 is about more than attaining a simple records management benchmark of best practice, ISO 15489 is about the methodology, processes and the resulting data storage or electronic records management system.

Introduction to ISO 15489

With records constituting one of our most important business assets, the way we create, manage and store records, whether data or documents, has a phenomenal effect on our business success and on the smooth-running of an operation. Badly managed records and information impact across an organisation on a number of levels, and whilst periodic assessment of data storage might not be number one on a list of fun things to do, its benefits can make a huge difference in a competitive market. The guidance contained within ISO 15489 bears this premise at its core.

One of the aims of ISO 15489 is to help businesses recognise the importance of their business records (whether electronic data, forms, images or documents) and promote best practise within records management.

The benefits of ISO 15489

The benefits of a full ISO 15489 implementation are wide-reaching. An organisation’s records and information management and recordkeeping processes will become more effective, giving rise to efficiency savings, reduced costs and increased profit.

Companies achieving ISO 15489 compliance will be able to demonstrate an approach to file management that’s recognised internationally as being at the forefront of best practice. Dealing with international partners who comply with the Standard adds confidence to relationships both between businesses and with clients.

The aims of ISO 15489

The information within ISO 15489 acknowledges that each business will have very individual demands and requirememts for its information, data or records. By providing a best practice framework to follow and apply to individual cases, this records management standard provides a good, although by no means exhaustive, process to follow.

The information contained within ISO 15489

The documents that comprise the Standard ISO 15489 are split into two sections.

• Part 1 takes a general overview of records and information management and examines the principles and methodology behind its adoption.
• Part 2 is more involved with the practicalities of moving towards records management compliance. It provides an in-depth, often step-by-step approach to implementing electronic records and information management.

A much more detailed analysis of ISO 15489 can be obtained from our free whitepaper on ISO 15489.

As a company specialising in electronic data management, file storage and information architecture, DCS is an able partner, ideally placed to help you navigate your way through to ISO 15489 compliance and to assist you with your implementation of this Records Management Standard.

Contact DCS on 01753 616 720 for further information regarding implementing electronic records management systems that comply with the ISO 15489 standard.

Records and their importance to business. Some questions to ask.

• What information (records or douments) do we need to manage our business?
• Which form would be the most sensible for us to store each class of information?
• How do we identify and retrieve documents when required?
• Are we consistent in our systems, with our metadata and classification of records?
• What is our retention time for each class of information?
• What is our destruction policy for information records?
• What risks do we face to our records, and how do we address them?
• What might be the result of a technology failure or an outside disaster scenario to our information records, and how would we cope?
• How secure are our records and important inforamtion?
• How long-term is our record management solution?
• Are we certain we meet our legal and regulatory obligations with regards our records storage and management?

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