An organizational memory system (OMS) or organizational memory information system (OMIS) "functions to provide a means by which knowledge from the past is brought to bear on present activities, thus resulting in increased levels of effectiveness for the organization" .

"An OMS arise from the integration of basic techniques into a computer system that collects, refreshes and structures data

Data

The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...

 and knowledge in the organization to provide it for tasks in a most directed, context dependent and active manner" .

An OMS uses functions from systems for knowledge management

Knowledge management

Knowledge management comprises a range of strategies and practices used in an organization to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption of insights and experiences...

, quality management

Quality management

The term Quality management has a specific meaning within many business sectors. This specific definition, which does not aim to assure 'good quality' by the more general definition , can be considered to have four main components: quality planning, quality control, quality assurance and quality...

, enterprise content management

Enterprise content management

Enterprise Content Management is a formalized means of organizing and storing an organization's documents, and other content, that relate to the organization's processes...

, workflow

Workflow

A workflow consists of a sequence of connected steps. It is a depiction of a sequence of operations, declared as work of a person, a group of persons, an organization of staff, or one or more simple or complex mechanisms. Workflow may be seen as any abstraction of real work...

, groupware, document management, retrieval and research, and provides a collaborative environment which is already running in some intranet

Intranet

An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to securely share any part of an organization's information or network operating system within that organization. The term is used in contrast to internet, a network between organizations, and instead refers to a network...

s of some organizations. In future it will be greater than more organization to support supply chain management

Supply chain management

Supply chain management is the management of a network of interconnected businesses involved in the ultimate provision of product and service packages required by end customers...

 and information logistics.

One of the main aims for introduction of OMS in companies is the reduction of the daily search time which has an amount of 40–60% without it. Other aims can be relief, education, improvement of task allocation and drop out of employees. Currently there is no product on the market fulfilling the needs of an OMS.

Sources

• EconomyAustria: Article about daily search time, 2004-06-28