ZEA – secured electronic archive Raise the level of electronic copies to that of the original The greatest effect of digitalization and conversion to a "paperless office" is not saving storage and archiving space costs, but significant time savings, better transparency and improved security (and the resulting savings and improvement) of processes.

What is ZEA

An electronic archive is a depository of electronic documents (both those already created in electronic form and those created by scanning paper documents). Compared to storing such documents on a file-server disc or in a personal computer folder, an electronic archive provides a number of useful services such as search, indexing, access control (including remote online access from a number of workplaces), etc.

The electronic archive usually does not exist in companies on its own – it integrates with other parts of the company's information systems. It can be either a specialized document-management system, a records management or work-flow system, but it is often integrated in the existing operating system which the company originally used for dealing with their operational agenda together with the circulation of paper documents. Thanks to the integration of the electronic archive in the operational information system, users receive documents from the electronic archive on their screens at precisely the moment they are needed in the context of working with their own information system.

The secured electronic archive raises the level of electronic copies to that of the paper originals. This is made possible by the sophisticated technology as well as the favourable status of key legislation in the Czech Republic (such as the Electronic Signature Act, VAT Act, etc.). Sometimes such an electronic archive is referred to as "guaranteed" or "trusted".

This is not only about technology, but also about methodology and documentation.