ECM Driver: Compliance

Compliance is the fastest-growing business driver of investments in enterprise content management technologies, according to a 2005 survey by AIIM - The ECM Association. The growing importance of compliance in the U.S. market likely is the primary reason behind the trend, AIIM notes. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of users that cited cost-driven concerns as the primary reason for looking at ECM solutions. The study surveyed end users and potential end users of content and document management tehnologies in nine countries; banking, financial and insurance companies comprised the second-largest percentage of respondents (13 percent).

What is the most significant business driver behind your current interests in enterprise content management technologies?

2003-2004 : 2004-2005

Cost-Driven Concerns 56% : 45%

Improve efficiency 32% : 26%

Reduce costs 17% : 11%

Increase profits, better performance 7% : 8%

Customer-Driven Concerns 29% : 31%

Better customer service 16% : 15%

Faster turnaround, improved response 7% : 8%

Leadership, competitive advantage 6% : 8%

Risk-Driven Concerns 15% : 24%

Compliance 11% : 19%

Risk management/business continuity 4% : 5%

Source: "Payback Time: The Practical Application of ECM Technologies," AIIM - The ECM Association, 2005.