Sec. 2(7).- Definitions- Electronic record

“Electronic record” means data, record or data generated, image or sound stored, received or sent in an electronic form or microfilm or computer generated microfiche;

Information captured through electronic means, and which may or may not have a paper record to back it up. Also called machine readable record.

Sec. 2(7).- What Is An Electronic Record?

• Records provide evidence of business activity and can be in any format, including digital format.
• Today, the vast majority of records are produced electronically or ‘born digital’.
• According the National Archives of Australia (NAA) electronic or digital records include “word-processed documents, emails, databases and images” (NAA, 2004a).
• While many records are printed and kept in paper or hard copy format, increasingly business activities are conducted in a purely digital context.
• Electronic records can be stored throughout an organisation in a variety of ways – in databases, on hard drives, in shared folders, in email accounts.
• One of the major issues facing electronic records management is the speed of technological development. Digital technologies rapidly become obsolete which can result in records becoming inaccessible unless a strategy for migration and preservation is developed and adhered to. An effectively implemented ERMS is a key factor in ensuring electronic records of continuing value are kept and archived for future use.

• List of some commonly used electronic records – note this list is not exhaustive
    Emails
    Word processed documents
    Databases
    Websites
    Intranets
    Spreadsheets
    Powerpoint presentations
    Digital images

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