Once captured, the information is available online to users of standalone or networked PCs and workstations. When not in use, the information resides in an online repository that is essentially an electronic filing cabinet. A number of other terms are commonly used as synonyms for electronic document management, including imaging, document imaging and document image processing. As a result, there is confusion in the marketplace, especially among organizations interested in implementing a solution. The term electronic document management is used here because it arguably best describes the technology.
Document management involves handling information from many derivatives.
The scanner is the paper input device. It digitizes paper documents, color photographs, etc. The storage device is the online repository. Optical drive and optical jukebox are other common types of storage devices used. Lastly, a printer is a hardware component because instances arise when a paper copy is needed of information stored online.