Which documents should I digitize first?
Start with frequently needed documents such as invoices, contracts, and personnel files. These can be transferred to a digital filing system most quickly and save time immediately when searching.
How secure are digital document platforms?
Modern platforms work with end-to-end encryption and role-based access rights. The data is stored in German data centers and meets GDPR requirements. Regular audits ensure compliance.
Do I need special software for the transition?
To get started, a structured folder system and a PDF program are often sufficient. For larger volumes, we recommend document management software (DMS) that supports metadata, full-text search, and versioning.
How long must digital documents be retained?
Retention periods depend on the type of document: invoices and accounting records for 10 years, contracts usually for 6 years, personnel files for up to 30 years after leaving. Audit-proof archiving ensures traceability.
Can I simply scan my existing paper files?
Yes, scanning is the first step. It is important to label the documents with meaningful file names and metadata. A uniform naming scheme makes later searching easier and prevents duplicate filing.
Which file formats are suitable for long-term archiving?
For permanent storage, we recommend PDF/A, as this format is platform-independent and preserves the visual representation for decades. For tables and texts, open formats such as CSV and TXT are also suitable.