** Reply to note from John Woodfield <[log in to unmask]> Mon, 13 Dec 1999 08:51:29 +0000
Hi,
I hope you have not had many "appropriate" replies already as I have
difficulties receiving EMail.
> We have a project to provide a web-based fast efficient method of accessing
> all the resource documents (meeting notes, bids, reports etc) that are
> stored within our executive.
>
> The documents are mostly in paper format, some in electronic form.
>
> Has anyone had experience of a system which would provide search and
> retrieval facilities for such a database?
There are many solutions to your problem. Since you have a "project" you
should start by defining it what you want to achieve, what are the inputs
and outputs, and see if you got a budget. For example handling your paper
records may be a more expensive solution than you think (whether you copy
type them again :-), scan them and store them as images, scan them and use
OCR on top of them).
We have such a system in its simplest form :-) It is based on pure html and
backed by rtf files where necessary. We can use the seach engine to create
specific indices as we need and so on. Those who own the information have to
put it in.
==========================
You can go down the road of more technologically developed solutions, whereby
you can buy in EDM (Electronic Document Packages), commercial search engines
etc. It is all swings and roundabouts. It costs money and does not mean it
produces better results. It depends on what your users will make of it.
Maybe you should join and post your question to
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/e-documentmanagement/
==========================
Your question is too open. I hope other people may be able to give you an
answer along the lines of product X solves your problems.
I got a tenner in the lottery, I am getting nearer the magic 6 numbers to
solve my problems :-)
Charles
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Charles Christacopoulos, Secretary's Office, University of Dundee,
Dundee DD1 4HN, (Scotland) United Kingdom.
Tel: +44+(0)1382-344891. Fax: +44+(0)1382-201604.
WebDad of http://somis.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
Home of the Scottish Search Maestro http://somis2.ais.dundee.ac.uk/
Happily using OS2 Warp.
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