Managed data software can streamline processes and workflows, boosting profits by helping your business operate more efficiently. With so many solutions available, you can become overwhelmed as you wade through the acronyms!
In this post, we’ll look at and define content management (CMS) and document management systems (DMS). Hopefully, we can help clear up some of the confusion!
Content Management (CMS) or Document Management (DMS)
Both solutions have similarities. They include managing documents, centralized storage of data, and high-level security, to name a few. However, while they sound similar, these two solutions deliver different outcomes:
- Content Management – Content management systems (CMS) can create and manage digital content and traditional documents. A CMS is used for PDFs, Excel, and Word documents and also managing images, web pages, records, and flash files.
- Document Management – A document management system (DMS) can help you create, track, collaborate, and store digital documents. A DMS retains, classifies, and protects electronic information. A DMS also supports versioning, collaboration, and can streamline workflows – both manual and automated processes.
The primary function of a DMS is managing workflows and helping to maintain regulatory compliance. A CMS is predominantly used for storage, publishing, and the retrieval of content. Another difference is that a DMS manages structured data like documents created in Microsoft Word or Powerpoint.
A CMS manages structured and unstructured data, including digital assets and web content. A DMS typically features advanced image management and scanning plus optical character and mark recognition. CMS tools do not support more advanced functionality.
Both provide similar outcomes for smaller businesses, especially if they do not have complex content and document needs. Where the differences become apparent is at the enterprise level. It’s here where content and document needs are often more complex.
A CMS generally plays a broader role than a DMS. However, a content management system shares some features with a DMS because documents are a primary digital component that a CMS is designed to handle.
Ready to learn more? Call today and let us help you make the perfect choice for your business!
