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An electronic document management system (EDMS) is a software system for organizing and storing different kinds of documents. This type of system is a more particular kind of document management system, a more general type of storage system that helps users to organize and store paper or digital documents. EDMS refers more specifically to a software system that handles digital documents, rather than paper documents, although in some instances, these systems may also handle digital scanned versions of original paper documents.
An electronic document management provides a way to centrally store a large volume of digital documents. Many of these systems also include features for efficient document retrieval.
Techopedia Explains Electronic Document Management System
Some experts point out that the electronic document management system has a lot in common with a content management system (CMS). One major difference, though, is that most CMS systems involve handling a variety of Web content from a central site, while a document management system is often primarily used for archiving.
In order to provide good classification for digital documents, many electronic document management systems rely on a detailed process for document storage, including certain elements called metadata. The metadata around a document will provide easy access to key details that will help those who are searching archives to find what they need, whether by chronology, topic, keywords or other associative strategies. In many cases, the specific documentation for original storage protocols is a major part of what makes an electronic document management system so valuable to a business or organization.
