Enterprise Document Management (EDM) is the practice of managing documents across an entire organisation using centralised systems, standardised controls, and automated workflows. It enables large organisations to securely store, control, and govern documents at scale while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
What Is Enterprise Document Management?
Enterprise Document Management provides a structured approach to handling documents across departments, business units, and geographies. It replaces fragmented file storage with a unified system that supports visibility, consistency, and governance at an enterprise level.
What Is Enterprise Document Management?
Enterprise document management refers to the systems, processes, and policies used to manage documents organisation-wide. It includes centralised repositories, version control, approval workflows, access permissions, retention policies, and audit trails.
Why Enterprise Document Management Is Important
- Provides a single source of truth across departments
- Improves collaboration and information sharing
- Reduces risk from uncontrolled or duplicate documents
- Supports regulatory compliance and audits at scale
Common Enterprise Document Management Examples
- Centralised document repositories for global teams
- Enterprise-wide SOP and policy management
- Approval workflows across multiple business units
- Document retention and information governance programs
Who Uses Enterprise Document Management?
- Large enterprises and multinational organisations
- Quality, compliance, and risk management teams
- Operations and process owners
- IT and information security teams
Enterprise Document Management vs Basic File Storage
- Basic file storage: Shared drives and cloud folders with limited governance
- Enterprise document management: Controlled, scalable systems with automation and compliance features
How Enterprise Document Management Supports Compliance
Enterprise document management enforces consistent controls across the organisation, including access management, versioning, approvals, and retention. These controls help enterprises meet regulatory requirements such as ISO standards, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GxP, and data protection regulations.
Next Steps for Organisations
- Assess document-related risks across departments.
- Standardise document policies and governance rules.
- Implement an enterprise-grade document management platform.
Learn how modern enterprise document management platforms support large-scale governance by exploring document management software features, book a demo, or contact our team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is enterprise document management used for?
Enterprise document management is used to manage documents across an organisation with centralised control, scalability, and compliance.
How is enterprise document management different from a DMS?
Enterprise document management focuses on organisation-wide governance and scalability, while a basic DMS may focus on departmental file management.
Is enterprise document management required for compliance?
Yes. Large organisations often require enterprise document management to meet regulatory, audit, and governance requirements.
Can enterprise document management be automated?
Yes. Enterprise platforms automate workflows, version control, access management, and audit trails.
