What are the Different Types of Business Filing Systems?

Thanks to advances in office technology, there are many types of business filing systems to choose from when trying to keep important files organized and secure. Filing is one of the most common ways that businesses store records, keep track of important forms, access information quickly, and protect data that must be available often for years. The types of business filing system one chooses depends mainly on the format that the files will be in, how they are to be accessed, and what the storage capabilities of the business are.

The most commonly thought-of business filing systems are stand-alone pieces of office furniture such as filing cabinets and drawers. These are generally made of metal or wood, and contain large sliding drawers that are big enough to hold many hundreds of folders and paper files. From small businesses to large corporate offices, physical business filing systems are found in all shapes and sizes to accommodate any type of hard-copy file that needs to be stored securely.

Other commonly used types of business filing systems are electronic file storage systems. Computer operating systems have electronic filing capabilities built into the software to make this a convenient way to protect files of many sizes and types. Files can include text documents, graphics and images, software, or web-based files. Whenever a new file is created or shared, the data can be stored securely in a virtual file folder that can sit on an individual computer hard drive, be carried around in an external hard drive, or stored on an Internet-accessed virtual drive.

Other business filing systems that are often part of the electronic realm of filing are customer- and vendor-management systems. Companies that have large numbers of customers and vendors to keep track of manage this is by storing customer and vendor information in a hard copy or electronic format in a special customer resource management (CRM) or vendor management (VM) setup. This allows a wide variety of files to be stored by client or vendor, for quick access on demand.

With technology improving the processes of many businesses, other types of business filing systems include mobile technologies such as smart phones and hand-held computers. Business executives on the go can create, upload, and share large data files by using these devices. Information can then be transferred electronically via email or by connecting via the Internet or direct cables to home or office computers. This makes it much more convenient to store and access files virtually from anywhere in the world.