Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is NextDocs relationship with Microsoft?

A. NextDocs is a managed Life Sciences go-to-market partner for Microsoft Corporation.

Q. How can I buy NextDocs software?

A. NextDocs sells its products directly and through a partner channel. In addition, NextDocs has strategic alliances with several companies who offer installation, validation and integration services. Alliance partners include Stelex, Glemser Technologies, Fisher Scientific, US Data Management & BusinessEdge Solutions. Call +1 610.265.9474 or email sales@nextdocs.com to set up a demonstration.

Q. What is Microsoft SharePoint?

A. SharePoint is a browser-based collaboration and document management platform from Microsoft. It can be used to host web sites that access shared workspaces and documents, as well as specialized applications like wikis and blogs from a browser. NextDocs extends the functionality of SharePoint by adding features necessary for companies operating in highly regulated environments.

Q. What is NextDocs?

A. NextDocs provides Microsoft SharePoint based document and quality management software for life sciences and other highly regulated environments. By adding functionality to SharePoint, NextDocs provides businesses the ability to collaborate, exchange and manage content via the Internet and extranets, while maintaining full compliance with 21 CFP Part 11and other federal regulations and international standards.

Q. What is collaboration software?

A. Collaborative software is software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve their goals. Collaborative software is the basis for computer supported cooperative work. Such software systems as email, calendaring, text chat, wiki belong in this category. It has been suggested that Metcalfe’s law — the more people who use something, the more valuable it becomes — applies to such software. Microsoft SharePoint is the leading collaborative software solution used in a corporate environment. NextDocs extends the SharePoint platform by adding necessary features for highly regulated environments such as life sciences, energy & utilities, manufacturing.

Q. What is document management?

A. According to Wikipedia…A document management system (DMS) is a computer system (or set of computer programs) used to track and store electronic documents and/or images of paper documents. The term has some overlap with the concepts of Content Management Systems and is often viewed as a component of Enterprise Content Management Systems and related to Digital Asset Management, Document imaging, Workflow systems and Records Management systems. Contract Management and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) can be viewed as either components or implementations of ECM.

Q. What does NextDocs provide that is not in SharePoint 2007?

A. NextDocs adds the necessary compliance layer to the SharePoint stack. The following features/benefits are exclusive to NextDocs. FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Enhanced Auditing Capabilities Digital Signatures (for all types of documents) Enhanced Metadata management Complex document numbering Document Lifecycle operations Folder Template management Advanced Workflow Designer Reporting Document Publishing Capabilities (PDF Renditions, Watermarking, Overlays, etc…)

Q. What is a paperless office?

A. According to Wikipedia…The paperless office is now considered to be a philosophy to work with minimal paper and convert all forms of documentation to a digital form. The ideal is driven by a number of motivators including productivity gains, costs savings, space saving, the need to share information and reduced environmental impact. NextDocs software enhances and extends the Microsoft SharePoint platform for the paperless office.

Q. What is quality management software?

A. Quality management is a method for ensuring that all the activities necessary to design, develop and implement a product or service are effective and efficient with respect to the system and its performance. Quality management can be considered to have three main components: quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement. Quality management is focused not only on product quality, but also the means to achieve it. Quality Management Software is designed to keep track of the necessary documents to ensure quality management.