Having only 3 levels of hierarchy can make it difficult to model large record taxonomies. The resulting flat and wide structures exhibit a reduction in performance and usability, because of a large number of folders at each level.
Further to this, because disposition schedules can only be defined at one hierarchical level common schedules must be defined repeatedly. Apart from being inconvenient, this also presents a maintenance headache for the Records Manager.
The introduction of multi-level file plans into the Alfresco Records Management Module will help to address these issues.
Records Managers will be able to create record keeping taxonomies of any arbitrary depth, allowing large file plans to be modelled easily and more intuitively. Performance and usability will be improved, because users will be able to navigate a more structured hierarchy with fewer folders at each level.
In this new world, disposition schedules can be defined at more than one level within the file plan, with details of the schedule being disseminated down to the disposable items as expected.
These new features are being added as we blog and we expect them to be available in the next major release of the Alfresco Records Management Module.
Note: For those unfamiliar with the terms used in the Alfresco records management module please hold tight. I'm putting together a reference page with definitions and will update with links once it's complete.
Further to this, because disposition schedules can only be defined at one hierarchical level common schedules must be defined repeatedly. Apart from being inconvenient, this also presents a maintenance headache for the Records Manager.
The introduction of multi-level file plans into the Alfresco Records Management Module will help to address these issues.
Records Managers will be able to create record keeping taxonomies of any arbitrary depth, allowing large file plans to be modelled easily and more intuitively. Performance and usability will be improved, because users will be able to navigate a more structured hierarchy with fewer folders at each level.
In this new world, disposition schedules can be defined at more than one level within the file plan, with details of the schedule being disseminated down to the disposable items as expected.
These new features are being added as we blog and we expect them to be available in the next major release of the Alfresco Records Management Module.
Note: For those unfamiliar with the terms used in the Alfresco records management module please hold tight. I'm putting together a reference page with definitions and will update with links once it's complete.
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteOn a slightly related note, most organizations that have only paper-based records management or no RM system at all usually develop their file plans etc. in office tools such as Excel. Is there any way to import such structured tools into Alfresco ERM to create perhaps a "starter file plan" that could then be edited with more details?