A borderless communication system is needed to sustain dialog between employees, clients and business partners. One also needs a messenger. The electronic document has manifest itself as the ultimate messenger of communication. Combined, these elements result in an entity with responsibilities to its 'owner' organization just like any other employee. The document is now an interactive source of information - knowledge.
Documents are the building blocks of complex organizations.
Along with the merging of computers and telecommunications comes the merging of business processes and the expansion of the capabilities of documents. Not so long ago, there were clear divisions between the different aspects that delineate a DM system. Now, contributors, producers and consumers are as blurred as the boundaries between the paper office and the electronic office. The fax image standard used to be attached strictly to paper. Just as collaborative work efforts multiply the output of individuals, the new intelligent document can collaborate with its fellow documents and enhance profits or reach other objectives for the people in charge.