Survey reveals RMs' e-discovery confidence lacking.

• Position: E-DISCOVERY - Record management - Brief article

Nearly 80% of records managers (RM) are not confident their company's electronically stored information (ESI) is accurate, accessible, and reliable, according to a recent survey by Forrester Research and ARMA International.

The September 2009 Forrester Research report, "Records Management: User Expectations, Market Trends, and Obstacles," written by Forrester Senior Analyst Brian W. Hill, reviews survey findings and provides recommendations for organizations as they face complex regulatory environments, greater e-discovery challenges, and uncertain budgets.

Key findings in the survey include:

* 56% of records management stakeholders plan to increase software spending in 2010. More than half of RM decision makers said they expect to deploy additional licenses or pilot or implement new products.

* More than 26% of RM decision makers reported they are "very confident" in their ability to meet privacy requirements and 45% said they were "somewhat confident."

* Despite the need for integrating retention management functionality to a wider array of ESI and the critical need to synchronize e-discovery, archiving, and RM applications, in 36% of organizations, records management stakeholders are not included in the IT strategic planning process.

* More than 80% of RM decision makers use technology applications for physical records management. This figure dramatically...