Managing 2.5 million customer files (200 million pages of paper) and over 1 million microfiche (40 million pages) at a dedicated site in Wolverhampton, EDM scan and upload archived documents to EDM online as required giving Nationwide instant access to archived customer data enabling them to provide an efficient and fully auditable service.

The scanning and on line hosting service provides rapid access to client records for Nationwide staff and so further improves the service to the building society's customers. Through EDM's Scan on Demand service customer documents are scanned as required, uploaded to EDM's web hosted service ‘EDM online' and made available to over 3000 Nationwide employees via secure online access from any networked PC across the Society. The highly secure service also enables Nationwide to adhere to the regulatory requirements for data management and control, with full auditability on data access being provided by EDM's technology.

The EDM Group delivers a full range of document services to some of the UK's largest blue chip companies, including document conversion, online document hosting and document management systems. EDM online allows businesses to view vital business documents hosted with EDM Group, through their web browser anywhere in the world. Online access is secure, using technologies and techniques applied in online banking services while powerful search facilities and display tools allow quick and easy access.

Sam Ferguson, EDM Group's chief executive, commented: "The purpose built site was a necessary choice to meet Nationwide's high regulatory needs, given the nature and volume of the customer documents they are required to retain. We are very pleased to have secured an initial five year contract to provide this service. The project is part of an ongoing Nationwide and EDM business strategy with the initial phase going from concept to live service in only six months. The project has also meant we have been able to expand our Wolverhampton operations, bringing us another step towards providing our clients with long term solutions as well as the scanning and hosting service we are already known for".

Chris Shott, Head of Business Logistics, Nationwide added, "Our objective was to provide a consolidated corporate-wide archive and retrieval solution that addressed current business needs, and regulation as well as providing for future business transformation. Working with EDM has given us the opportunity to bring together the disparate archives and manage these through a seamless front end service regardless of the medium in which Nationwide's records were stored. All this has been achieved without increasing our cost base. Users have responded very positively to the service given by EDM and in some areas, retrieval turnaround times have been reduced to just a few of seconds.