Records Management Responds to Euro Zone Expansion

Since the rapid expansion across Europe began, a growing number of diverse companies have realized the importance of hiring a records management service provider. By careful exploration, Crown Records Management discovered what these companies need from a provider - tailored solutions, consistent service, adaptable technology, proper facilities and a company flexible enough to accommodate a local and global marketplace.

In response to these needs and the escalating European market, Crown Records Management prepared themselves to offer the benefits of their services. Crown initially centralized its database tracking software (O’Neil Software’s RS~SQL™), and rolled out this system to Crown offices across Europe, Asia and the United States. As a result, clients are assured that the service they receive in Scotland will be consistent with the service they receive in Italy, and international companies can now freely share more information.

To accommodate the substantial growth in the U.K., Crown facilities doubled their available racking space. Crown’s London site increased to an 80,000 standard box equivalent (sbe) while Scotland houses over 40,000 sbe’s. The impressive racking built in Leeds last year is now close to full and plans are underway to increase this facility to a 150,000 sbe center.

"With the expansion of the Euro Zone, it is vital for companies outsourcing their documentation to move with a supplier who can keep track of what is required," said Philip Britton, Group Records Development Manager, Crown. "To fully benefit from the new market, information must be available and ready for use on demand."

For example, in Italy, a large Italian manufacturer asked Crown to address its document management needs. Because the company already possessed several large warehouses suitable for document storage, they did not require any offsite facilities. To adapt to the customer’s needs, Crown moved records management staff and put a link into the RS~SQL™ system from within the factory complex. This model proved to be such a success that a number of other global clients are following the lead.

Crown Records Management in Switzerland showed its flexibility by securing a contract with a hospital in the Fribourg area, to store and manage some 50,000 patient x-rays. Also, because of the rapid expansion of the Euro Zone, other European Crown centers have established Records Management services. France, Hungary and Holland have reported increased activity in their records and document programs.

By listening to and learning what their customers required, Crown Records Management customized their services and opened the door to the dynamic European marketplace. They also prepared themselves to provide global customers with consistent service and the power to share.