But thereâs one big advantage that digital has over hard copy â accountability. Why You Need to Protect Your Hard-Copy Documents. Regulations like this can vary by the type of business, but more heavily regulated industries like finance, law, and medicine may have state and federal laws governing how records should be maintained. Payroll - Usually it is unnecessary for an employer to produce a separate report in order to provide us with payroll data, as sufficient reports are often already supplied by the payroll service ⦠x Depending on the type and importance of the document, ... x It is wise for the document controller to keep a folder (either electronic or hard copy) of superseded documents for future reference, but they should be clearly marked as superseded either by using a stamp or watermark. You should keep the hard drive away from the place of storage so you will have another copy available. 1. A hard copy is a physical permanent reproduction of any media suitable for direct use through printouts. When documents are stored digitally, they can be found in various locations – on networks, in emails, on phones, etc. On this page youâll learn about record keeping â what you need to keep, how to keep records and how long to keep them for. 9. While running a paperless office increases efficiency, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate the need for storing hard copies of documents. In addition, there are the scanned images themselves. But, sometimes, storing hard copies is important. There are some advantages to a hard copy. However, we also have secure electronic copies of all these documents for easy referencing (when you donât need the actual document just info off the doc). Then every time you come to a new financial period, onboard a new client, or start a new project, you can just copy over that folder template. It isn't very clear if they mean one set of documents or multiple sets all copied multiple times. Scan your document hard copy and save to a suitable folder on the hard drive as PDF. This method of transmission of information does not require an internet connection or software to ⦠– In order to remain in compliance, some businesses or industries are required to keep authentic files There are some industry-specific requirements that regulate what can be kept digitally and what must maintain authenticity – whether it be the document itself or in some cases, documents require handwritten signatures, versus digital signatures. On the other hand, when you destroy a document with a micro-cut shredder there is absolutely no chance of its remains being found and reconstructed (although as previously covered here, certain types of paper shredding are not secure enough to protect against this risk altogether). Hard copies in today's workplace have turned into more of a burden rather than an asset. As a consequence, keeping your documents in the safest place possible will greatly reduce the likelihood of theft. Keeping your documents protected could save you and your business a world of troubles in the long run. In many cases, companies or individuals are required to keep certain documents in storage for years or even decades before destroying them or using them. Digital Copies May Be Too Expensive If you have a pretty well-established business or warehouse that has been storing physical documents for a long time, getting those documents scanned and saved may ⦠If the document concerned is a will or relates to land ownership you may legally be required to maintain documents in a hard copy format. Even documents that have been “deleted” can often be retrieved. Advantages of a Hard Copy System. – While storing documents digitally is more convenient, there is never 100% assurance that networks won’t be breached or issues won’t occur with data backup. Malicious data breaches and hacks are unfortunately more common than you might think, especially within bigger companies that store more sensitive information. There have never been more options relating to document storage. Digital files free up physical space, they are easily searchable and can facilitate greater collaboration and workflow. Today any type of readable and writable data can be shaped into two different forms. Jayson Mullin, co-owner of Top Tax Defenders in Houston, TX, recommends keeping hard copies of signed leases, as well as documents related to a home or business purchase. Either in form of soft copy or in form of hard copy. – When scanning documents for digital storage, human error comes into play. Networks can go down and viruses do spread. Think about the types of storage in your lifetime that have already become obsolete – floppy discs, cassette tapes, microfilm, etc. ⦠Hard copy files are easy to read and quick to create. If you do choose to digitise your physical papers, make sure to either take great care in the process or hire a professional to do it for you. The same goes for wills, trusts, powers of attorney ⦠As you will see, storing physical documents often proves not only safer and more secure than digital storage, but also more convenient and flexible. When paper documents are securely shredded, destruction is final and guaranteed. An OCR ⦠These best practices are in place to help organizations, reap the value of electronic files. – When it is time to destroy documents, the responsibility to effectively destroy records falls directly on the business. Typically employees will get a hard copy once they have exercised their option to purchase the stock.â ~ Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner. Important and official documents are usually preserved in this form to create a tangible record of the ⦠Hard copies are definitely required if a document includes original or notarized signatures. As the horizons of our digital landscape continue to expand further and further every day, electronic and digital means of data storage increasingly seem like the obvious choice for businesses and individuals alike. Here’s what you should know: It’s true that we are living in the digital age and storing documents digitally delivers a multitude of advantages. To create a digital version of a hard copy (soft copy), an optical scanner or OCR is used. Talk with our team to learn more about how we can help with your document management needs! The guide does not attempt to include all legislation, but only refers to the general legislation that Naturally, knowing how to scan documents properly can help avoid these concerns. Each business will be different and the decision on how best to handle file & data storage file & data storage should be based on the specific needs & requirements of the company. Use "Tickler" files â Tickler files, also known as the "43 folders" method, are a unique system that's used by many people for organizing ⦠When stored properly, paper documents have a shelf life of about 200 years. Individuals with house deeds, birth certificates, signed contracts, and wills need to guarantee that such documents are in safe keeping and readily accessible. Email systems and shared file drives are clumsy and ineffective as a document management option for law firms. These could be any type of document. Documents are destroyed by burning or shredding in the presence of ⦠You cannot guarantee total destruction. Electronic Document Storage: Is the Cloud Enough. In such cases, digital copies may not constitute sufficient proof and physical copies are the only option. We keep all our important hard copy docs (birth certs, titles, deeds, marriage licenses, ss cards and such) in a locked portable fire safe. Storing your papers in a document storage facility would be one way of ensuring this security, although many opt for safety deposit boxes or simple office storage. Beyond being recognized as a trusted leader in digital signatures, we feel it is important to define the very concept of a document. The purpose of this article is to draw a fine line between hard copy and soft copy and clear the minds of readers abo⦠For instance, people often need to access and provide hard copies of certain documents for authenticity or identification purposes. Running a business can be unpredictable, but a good record-keeping system can make things easier. – If your needs dictate storing records for more than a few decades, hard copy storage may have the advantage over digital files. This guide refers to the legislation and identifies the timeframe in which certain documents have to be kept. Whether kept for legal purposes or for personal reasons, storing documents in a physical location is often the only way forward. Hard copies hold the signature, initials, instrutions and notations of a member Senior Management. The hacker's Jargon File defines a dead-tree version to be a paper version of an on-line document, where "dead trees" refer to paper. Understanding that there are some limitations in going completely digital, as well as any laws and regulations that require original files to be on record, today’s document management experts recommend that businesses maintain important documents in multiple formats. Despite attempts to the contrary, electronic documents are at a greater vulnerability to fraud than their hard copy equivalents. Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our various hard copy document storage services. However, when they do arise the court will hear evidence (including IT evidence) about the making of the copy. Organizations typically use a document management system or other software tools to manage their information assets. The advantages of keeping everything in hard copy are reasonably straightforward; you have everything in one place. Due to the ease of accessibility via networking, electronic files are simply more vulnerable to theft. All records should be archived and stored appropriately which agrees with the companyâs regulations and insurance ⦠Scanners can be used in a variety of crimes, including but not ⦠Organize documents by dates â Write a date on the document. When you compare the security of hard copy data storage with that of digital copy data storage, physical documents always win. For instance, people often need to access and provide hard copies of certain documents for authenticity or identification purposes. It can also be read by anyone at any time, as it requires no assistance from external devices. Companies with an abundance of documents which require this level of authenticity should always be keeping physical documents, because you never know when you might need undeniable proof of certain terms or transactions. Home » 5 Benefits of Storing Document Hard Copies. The legal requirement for hard copies may prevent you from ever going fully digital if your business is regulated in this way. It is important to file this away in a hard copy file with a great filing system. When people need signatures, they can send a digital document that is signed electronically and stored electronically for easy retrieval, no more printing, ⦠We all know that both have their benefits and downsides, although we tend to care most about which method is the safest and most efficient. Reproducing them in digital form is certainly recommended, but physical copies are usually essential if they are to be considered valid documentation. Digital files free up physical space, they are easily searchable and can facilitate greater collaboration and workflow. Let’s get stuck in…. Click the Browse button, navigate to and select the file, then click on the Upload button; Once the upload has been completed; select ⦠Itâs true that we are living in the digital age and storing documents digitally delivers a multitude of advantages. documents. It has been my experience that six months after you think that you will never need a document, it is usually requested for some reason or another. Batch record is an important document kept along with reserve sample until one year of expiry of the product, and final products are release only after proper review of BMR, even after testing of Product from QC, product would not be released without review and completing of BMR and other documents.every activity should be ⦠Whatever you choose, storing physical documents in a safe location are objectively much harder to access than electronic copies sitting in cloud storage or on your hard drive. If your business information were ever to fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be detrimental to the future of your company. If you set up your system right you can track who accesses each digital file and when. Most organizations today have a significant footprint when it comes to the management of electronic files or documents. In other words, it is a printed data which one can hold and read. This means that an advantage of keeping documents ⦠When people send documents to one another, they're most often attached to an e-mail. There is always going to be room for error when scanning paper documents for digital storage, especially when done at home and not through a professional document scanning service. documents and paper ones. Destruction of obsolete documents is made under supervision of a committee appointed by order of the Director General. By storing physical copies of your documents you are not only ensuring that they are better protected from being compromised during their storage but also after their eventual destruction. This makes the prospect of converting all your physical copies into digital ones somewhat more risky. How is a hard copy produced by a computer? "Copy of documents" is a bit clearer and implies a single copy of one batch of documents. It can be very helpful to pre-create a folder template with the structure you want to use. 2. They are also easy to distribute, and can be read by anyone at any time (given that they understand the material), since they do not require assistant for external drives. Whether it’s physical or digital, we can provide a protected location to store all of your information including storage on our servers for off-site backups and provide you with secure access. Hard copies are great for reproductions. The basic purpose of these two is the presentation or storage of written material and data. Sections of documents can be missed or distorted and side-by-side comparison with hard copies is time-consuming and too often skipped over. Go to the Online OCR site, and convert the saved file to an editable format:. In such a climate, removing the risk of electronic breaches entirely might just be your best bet. Copyright © 2020 Flexible Storage SolutionsWebsite Design by Yellowball, The safety and security of hard copy data storage, Saving money with archive storage solutions. However, with hard copy data storage your documents are simply kept in a secure location to be accessed whenever you see fit – no need for technology or complex databases. Five benefits of keeping storing document hard copies in today’s digital world: Even though we are living in a cloud-based world, hard copy documents are still an incredibly relevant means of storing important data. Though neither are easy to access by illegitimate means, electronic documents are more vulnerable due to their existence on computer systems. Yes, you can look at the documents much easier because certainly in the case of single page documents itâs effortless to see everything just by flipping through the pages. 1.1 The magnitude of electronic data is way larger than paper documents This point is obvious to the majority of observers. Taking the term hard copy itself provides us a little description of being touchable, viewable, and tangible. This will help you organize your documents into date-order, without having to open the folder and read through all documents. A hard copy can be created using a printer (e.g., dot matrix printer, inkjet printer, laser printer, etc.) Owing to various legislative requirements, documents must be retained for a certain number of years, depending on the legislation. Indeed, some laws and regulations specify that companies should keep physical documents for a certain amount of time. While switching to paperless storage may have environmental and organisational benefits, sometimes it is simply not an option. The world is moving to the cloud. Of course, knowing how to safely scan documents will help, but keeping physical copies in a secure place is a much simpler option for those who already have a large backlog of papers lying around. When you no longer want an electronic document to exist, permanently deleting it will not do. It requires paper and ink to write records of information. Considering these advantages and the push for many organizations to go paperless, you might think that storing hard copies of documents seems illogical. It is a dysphemism for hard copy.. A saying from the Jargon File is that "You can't grep dead trees", from the Unix command grep meaning to search the contents of text files. Itâs a very simple process. Hard Copy All of the necessary information can be photocopied and sent directly to us, either via email, fax, overnight delivery, or the U.S. Mail. For reproductions, hard copies are often preferable to electronic versions. All things considered, responsible document management calls for a good blend of using both the physical and digital resources available to you to best meet your specific business requirements. Hard copy wins where authenticity is important. There are many definitions of a document, and these vary according to the context: A lawyer will refer to legal texts, a linguist will consult a dictionary, Wikipedia will discuss ⦠Its main purpose is to have a record of your data in physical form that you can store for safe keeping in case your storage device in some way crashe⦠Even deleted documents remain within hard drives in some form, and even rudimentary hackers have the knowledge and skills necessary to retrieve it. You should also back the documents up on a network or a hard drive in an event of a fire or flood. The term hard copy implies an informative, written document that has a physical medium. We assume that a paper document is a document that was created, maintained, and used manually as a paper documents; it is simply a hard copy of an electronic document. Often there are hard copy documents that are either on the scanner or in its vicinity, that have either been scanned or are waiting to be scanned into the computer. The correct document management program can increase productivity and efficiency, automate many basic filing tasks, improve file security, and simplify document retrieval. The Commission draws up a "report of destruction of documents", which he submits for approval to the Director General. There is simply no other way to guarantee complete authenticity and remain compliant with the relevant legislative requirements. "Copies of documents" implies multiple copies of a batch or batches of documents. Total protection of confidential information and sensitive documents can never be guaranteed, but storing hard copy documents instead of relying on digital storage certainly comes close. In fact, there a number of industries where physical paperwork remains a critical part of the administration. When you do need to digitize documents, consider hiring a professional document management firm to eliminate these risks. While it is possible to transfer data from one form of electronic storage to another, there is also a risk of losing quality during the transfer process. Important segments of the paper could be omitted or distorted in the scanning process if you are not careful to do it properly. Any Files Crucial to Your Operations âThere are several types of documents we ⦠In these cases, our recommendation is that companies commit themselves to secure hard copy data storage. Anyone attempting to steal, alter, delete, or compromise your data in some way would need to be in the same place as the documents themselves to even have a chance. Is the cloud right for your needs? Accessing documents via outdated means can be awkward at best and unsafe at worst. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. What are the different types of paper shredding. 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