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November 2009: In This Issue

1. Toolkit for Mergers & Acquisitions »
   
   
2. 5 Ways TAB Can Help Prepare for M&As »
   
   
3. Get Your Files Ready for 2010! »
   
   
4. What Your Colleagues are Downloading »
   
   

Dear Records Manager,

M&A activity is on the rise for business everywhere, and this provides records managers with a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the value their programs can create. With that in mind we created a great M&A toolkit for those of you facing an M&A situation, now or in your future.

And don't forget to get your files ready for 2010!

If you want to find out more about what we've covered here, or have suggestions for future issues, please get in touch!

Regards,

TAB Canada

1. Toolkit for Mergers & Acquisitions

Facing an M&A situation? Is there one in your future?

Merging with or acquiring another organization can be a challenge but it is also a great opportunity for records managers, whichever side of the deal you are on.

We've put together this toolkit to help you tackle issues that can arise, before, during and after the transaction.

This toolkit will help you minimize the impact of M&A activity, while increasing overall RM efficiency and increasing the profile of your program.

Use it to:

• Incorporate new file collections seamlessly and without risk
• Order your business assets for acquisition
• Capitalize on asset/ROI by quickly resuming full operations post-transaction
• Minimize the risk to both parties by detailing assets you will be or have already acquired

Get this great resource here!

2. Get Records Ready for M&As: 5 Ways TAB Can Help

When it comes to a merger or acquisition, how records are managed can affect the success of the endeavor in advance of, during and after the transaction.

But managing this critical step can be resource-intensive and requires deep expertise in records management. The good news: any M&A situation, regardless of which side of the deal you are on or where you are in the transaction, is also an opportunity to improve your records management function across the board.

So what can TAB do to help your organization in an M&A situation? Here are five things:

1) Complete Records Inventory

Whether your organization is the one buying or selling, it is critical to know what you have in terms of physical and electronic records inventory, and what your potential deal partner actually has as well. We can conduct a records inventory assessment on both sides to create a complete picture. This process will assist in:

• Defining what both parties have
• Determining the completeness of records
• Evaluating how both RM systems can be integrated to put information on a common, efficient platform
• Determining which assets are part of the sale and which aren't
• Identifying potential efficiencies

Assessing records inventory is beneficial because it helps mitigate the inherent risk of the transaction: it makes what is being sold easily identifiable, facilitates an easier acquisition and integration process, and enables the buyer to ramp up quickly post-transaction and start recognizing ROI.

2) Additional Personnel

Acquiring or divesting records collection requires unique skills. TAB has Project Managers, Consultants and specific staff with extensive experience assisting organizations in the M&A process. Whether you need temporary assistance before or during the transaction, or need permanent staff post-acquisition, we can help.

3) Real Estate Facilities

Mergers and acquisitions often demand a third-party location be set up for record assets, and in some locations TAB offers real estate facilities that can be used throughout a transaction. Early in the M&A process, we can provide space for potential buyers to view physical or electronic record assets in a secure environment. Post-acquisition, our facilities provide the necessary space and resources for file conversion and integration into a combined records collection.

4) Records Integration Planning

Bringing different records collections together can test even the most seasoned RM professional. If it isn't done correctly, the impact, from lost efficiency to risk exposure, can be significant.

TAB can help you successfully integrate new records by:

• Ensuring a standard classification system and filing structure is in place
• Working with file users to create a file standard
• Conducting document level conversions within the file to meet that standard
• Applying all of the above to electronic documents
• Imaging the paper-based and convert to electronic for efficiency
• Training staff on the new formats and standards

This ensures that your knowledge workers have fast, efficient access to the information they need, where and when they need it.

5) Information Transfer

Once you have made an acquisition, will you have room for the records that come along with it? We have expertise integrating acquired records into a buyer's space. Our records set-up and integration best practices cover physical moving, resource planning (including personnel), on site imaging services, filing equipment and supplies for physical records to ensure the transfer is smooth and efficient.

Talk to TAB

If you are currently in a merger or acquisition, or anticipate one in the future, talk to us. Whatever side of the deal you are on, we can help make it a success.

It's time to get your files ready for next year! Our stock of 2010 labels is ready to ship, and many of our customers have already ordered their pre-labeled folders. If your file needs can be determined in advance, then this is a great way to save time and money and avoid hand wrapping your files in January. Anticipate your needs now and avoid being caught unprepared! We at TAB have many other great filing products to help you ease into 2010 - so contact TAB today.

For more information on how TAB labeling products and services can help you organize your information call 1-800-417-8010 or complete our online response form.

4. What Your Colleagues are Downloading

Want to know what your colleagues are reading?

These are some of our most popular recent downloads:

How to Customize Your Folders

All file folders are not created equally. Decades of experience have gone into the TAB file folders, enhancing and customizing them for optimal use within the enterprise.

So how well are your current folders performing? Get our Custom Folder Guide to see how your folders measure up. You'll also find out how custom folders can make your filing system as functional, secure and compliant as possible.

You can download it here.

File Retrieval Assessment Tool

Struggling with lost files or long retrieval times? This tool can help! We've worked with hundreds of organizations over the past 50 years to help them solve their file retrieval problems, and we've used that experience to develop this useful tool.

Answering these questions will help you identify the root causes of any retrieval challenges you may be facing, and get you thinking about potential solutions and what those might look like for your organization.

You can walk through this diagnostic tool on your own - or call one of our records management experts to help.

You can download it here!

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