EDMS systems can be divided into two key functional categories. There is a distinction between systems which support archiving versus systems that are process oriented in nature. Archival systems are designed to provide access to a large number of documents over a long period of time. The primary focus of the system is long term storage and accessibility. An example of an archival system is the State Central Registry System featured in the Success Stories section.
Process oriented systems support the business process.
The purpose of the system is to support the processing steps or workflow rather that the storage of information. PIT2000 is an example of a process oriented system. The reason for the distinction between archival and process systems is based on design efficiencies and performance. In coming years, the distinctions between these types of systems will become less important as the various components merge, but for now it is useful distinction when choosing between alternative applications systems. What a system does in support of a specific business process determines the choice of hardware and software components.