The final component of an document imaging is the access to the system. In today's computer environment, users are located in different locations, with different equipment, and different access rights. A full-featured imaging system must provide the ability to permit access to those users who need it, without compromising security. To create this access, a system must have two fundamental features:

• Broad availability
• Comprehensive security

Broad Availability

An imaging system must offer different ways of accessing images. The most common method is through the user's desktop. Every document imaging system must provide a client-based user interface that enables the scanning, indexing and retrieval of documents. Without this basic interface, the system cannot function.

To provide broad availability and access flexibility, imaging systems now must meet the requirements of offices with diverse uses and remote locations. Document imaging is no longer an "in-the-office" process. Many users require portability to exchange imaging information with other colleagues or to work off-site. An imaging system that does not offer this flexibility limits not only the usefulness of the system but also the abilities of the user.

In addition, sharing documents through the Internet or an intranet allows system administrators to deploy imaging systems across their entire network and to the public. Having browser-based document access removes the final limitations that can plague an imaging system. Users can search, retrieve and view documents with the simplicity of a web browser from any desktop on any platform at any location.

A broad level of access to document imaging is a must to save limited financial resources, intellectual capital and network bandwidth.

Comprehensive Security

The ability to provide imaging to a larger group means stronger control must be placed on user access. A comprehensive security system must allow the system administrator to control what users can or cannot do as well as what they can or cannot see. The system must control access to folders, documents and even redacted pages and text in a simple and complete manner. The ability to deploy imaging to a wide variety of users requires a robust security system combined with an elegant user interface.