Florida Business Says Go Green by Changing the Way You Manage Information

TAMPA, Fla., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Know when to hold 'em, store 'em and throw 'em! With Earth Day approaching, one expert says it's time for new "green" initiatives for managing your records.

"No matter the size or type of your business, chances are you have boxes full of files stored somewhere," said Marshall Stevens, of Stevens and Stevens Business Records Management, a Florida-based full-service records management center. "And most likely, those files are full of confidential information that will need to be disposed of. All too often those old files end up in our already packed landfills, which is bad for the environment and poses a security problem for your business." 

To get a handle on your files in an eco-friendly manner, Stevens says a records management and shredding plan should be established. "Having a workable records management plan that includes document imaging and shredding allows businesses to have better information at the right time for better business decisions." When information is properly managed, businesses benefit from:

• Improved efficiency and productivity. Valuable time and resources will no longer be wasted to locate and retrieve paper files or recreate documents that have been misplaced or lost. More time can be spent on revenue generating tasks.
• Regulatory compliance. Shredding helps businesses comply with records management laws, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA). These laws require that certain paper waste including medical records, salary details or personal address details, must legally be disposed of. Such records must be kept up to date and shredded at the proper time.
• Safeguarding vital information. With online access to information you have the advantage of accessing any document, anywhere, at any time, with access limited to specific staff. Critical data will be safe from theft and disasters.

"Establishing "green" records management policies will help improve efficiencies in your office as you help to keep our air clean, reduce paper use and preserve water resources."

Stevens & Stevens Business Records Management is a full-service records storage and information management center, providing services throughout the Southeastern United States, including, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Visit www.ssbrm.com and follow Stevens & Stevens on Twitter (http://twitter.com/StevensBRM) or Facebook (http://facebook.com/ssbrm).

SOURCE Stevens & Stevens Business Records Management