Record Keeping and Storage of Information

Abstract

Modern filing systems range between two extremes. At one end of the scale is the comparatively small personalised system, suitable for the immediate needs of a secretary and her chief, or for a department with a limited number of staff. At the other end are found the enormous installations catering for the records of whole sections of industry, such as the automated-retrieval computer-controlled centralised schemes which cater for licensing departments, insurance, banking, marketing, warehousing, the health services and many other concerns with country-wide records which continually increase in numbers. (See also section on automated filing under Electronic Offices.)

The case for replanning; storage space; retrieval; disposal; method of reorganisation; centralised or departmental records; methods of indexing; card indexing; cross-referencing; ‘miscellaneous’ file; continuity of control; microfilm and microfiches; stock records in the office; checking and overhaul