Access Information Management has announced the acquisition of NorCal Shred. Access already offers hardcopy and electronic records storage in the area. NorCal offered mobile shredding from their offices in Chico, California. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. [press release]

The benefits of scanning paper documents into digital images are obvious. But what do companies do with the paper after it is scanned. According to an AIIM survey, over 25% of respondents still keep a paper copy. Keeping a paper copy isn't required and actually eliminates some of the benefits of scanning.

Fujifilm and IBM developed a new linear magnetic tape that will store 29.5 billion bits per square inch or 35TB per tape. This is a new worlds record for data density. This new tape is 44 times more dense than the current fourth generation LTO tape.

This is evidence that data tape rotation and storage is alive and well.

Access Information Management announced their acquisition of CDI Vaults. CDI Vaults offered records storage, tape vaulting and shredding services from their Eugene facilities. This provides Access Information Management with service in Oregon and represents their 22nd acquisition. [press release]

David Roe has published an article discussing the differences between document management and records management on the CMSWiRE. While I think it is a bit of semantics it is important to think about the increased importance of a companies records management requirements. In the end, all records are documents but not all documents are records.

Many medical practices are converting to electronic health records. And with the grants offered in the stimulus bill the number is only going to increase. One factor many practices fail to take into account is the security of the documents during the conversion process.

Ed Goodman, of Identity Theft 911, is predicting “There will be lots of lower-paid individuals and there are not always background checks being done. It’s pretty easy to abscond with Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or other identifiers.” He suggest making sure you are dealing with a reputable scanning service when you convert your medical records.

The TSA has joined the ranks of Facebook and HSBC Bank for posting information to websites before they are properly redacted. While the goal of making more information public and easily accessible via a website is laudable; if done incorrectly it can cause much more damage than good. That is why more companies are turning to a redaction service. No matter how your organization redacts the information it is important to make sure that the job is done well and is verified before it is posted to a public site