What is Laserfiche?
An overview of Laserfiche and all it can do
One of the most commonly searched questions regarding Laserfiche is simply “What is Laserfiche?”
What is Laserfiche Enterprise Content Management?
Content. Every enterprise has it.
Enterprise content is all of the data, documents, files, records and information that are used to run an agency or business. Enterprise content management (abbreviated as ECM) is the process of acquiring, retaining, managing and sharing content as needed.
Laserfiche is an ECM for your agency or business. An ECM is a software solution designed to manage an organization’s documents. Laserfiche is a tool to manage enterprise content – your organizational information. This lets all your people see and access the same information, for consistency of decision-making and taking action.
ECM systems have three basic parts: Capture, Storage, and Retrieval.
Capture is more than basic ‘filing’. Capture is the process bringing content into the ECM – from anywhere across the enterprise. Documents can be native digital files such as Microsoft Office documents or PDFs. These may also be scanned using a network-attached device, or imported as image files or photos. With a forms-based process, documents might begin as an electronic form with data entered by a person, or a process. After this, workflow takes over to route for review and approval, or file for future reference.
Storage manages security. Documents are identified by metadata (data about data). Metadata helps a user search and retrieve a document. Within the ECM, metadata is like your ‘street address’ or a ‘set of GPS coordinates’. Metadata tells the software where the document is, who can see it and what they can do with it. Metadata allows a document to be categorized in a flexible folder structure and organized by department. It also used for integrating records with other software systems, like accounting programs, ERP’s, POS and HRIS systems.
Retrieval provides access to documents. Access is managed by the security permissions a user, or a process. An ECM offers advanced search functionality based on rules of logic. Laserfiche’s search options go further to search both the ‘metadata’ and the ‘actual content’ detected within a document. This ensures the correct document is retrieved quickly, even if the document’s metadata is missing a search term applied by the user.
Next, comes integrating that information, file , or record with other systems in your enterprise. For example, enabling access by someone in accounting allows full review of the ‘back-up’ documents before approving an invoice.
Advanced Functionality
In addition to the basic functionality of an ECM, Laserfiche delivers a number of innovative features. These features can extend what is possible.
What is Laserfiche Workflow?
Laserfiche Workflow is a business process automation tool. It is built into Laserfiche so an organization can use automatic document classification, organizing, routing, and archiving.
The workflow within some ECM programs can require tedious coding. Laserfiche Workflow is different. Laserfiche Workflow offers a visual interface with over 100+ pre-built activities. Using a simple drag-and-drop interface, any work process can be automated. Routine or even complex tasks that used to take hours of staff time can be automated. In addition, there are pre-built activities for you to send emails, update Word and PDF documents, create and modify Office 365 items, interface with Laserfiche Forms, and more.
What is Laserfiche Forms?
Laserfiche Forms is just what it sounds like, a digital form creation tool. Forms are integrated with Laserfiche so an organization can create interactive, customizable digital forms to support complex processes that require routing and approvals. Laserfiche Forms can even run on a website portal to serve those outside the enterprise.
Similar to Laserfiche Workflow, Laserfiche Forms uses a visual drag-and-drop editor for the creation of digital forms and the process flows behind them. Centralized task management features show workloads, metrics, and even process bottlenecks.
What is Laserfiche Records Management?
Laserfiche Records Management is a collection of critical records management features to allow an agency or business ensure it remains in compliance with records-keeping requirements.
Using pre-defined rules, retention policies can be established to be automatically applied to a document on capture. Notifications can be set to alert Records Managers when a file, document or record needs to be archived or deleted. An audit log runs as a unified timeline to show all relevant retention information for a single record in one place.
What is Laserfiche Robotic Process Automation?
Laserfiche Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a cross-platform integration tool that uses software robots to automate routine tasks between systems.
A recorder tool allows users to create bots that record user actions that can then be performed automatically in the future. Bots can be edited using a visual interface as needed, and live tracking data is displayed to provide close monitoring.
What is FreeDoc ®?
FreeDoc ® is an award-winning Laserfiche Solution Provider.
Globally recognized, FreeDoc ® is a Laserfiche Premium Partner and a top Platinum Level Laserfiche Solution Provider. With 25 years’ experience serving multi-national enterprises and public government agencies, FreeDoc ® helps all types of organizations manage their records electronically.
As a qualified Laserfiche Premier Partner, FreeDoc ® helps organizations to leverage Laserfiche to its full potential to manage enterprise information. With experts in Laserfiche Workflow, Forms, Records Management, and Robotic Process Automation, we help organizations optimize business processes and better serve their customers.
Interested in learning more about Laserfiche and how it can help your organization? Contact us below. We’ll be in touch shortly.
As an award winning ECM (Enterprise Content Management) systems reseller, FreeDoc® has been providing support and installation services to the public sector and private organizations since 1999.
2022 – 2025 Premier Partner for Laserfiche®
2021 Winners Circle for top Laserfiche® Resellers
2020 Winners Circle for top Laserfiche® Resellers
58% of all US municipalities use Laserfiche® ECM solutions for managing public records
Visit our Laserfiche page for more information.