| Tremendous amounts of information, recording the details of credit card, check, ATM and other kinds of transactions in financial institutions and government organizations, are fed into mainframe computers every day. In addition, computers generate immense amounts of data, such as statements that are printed and mailed to customers. Since the expense of keeping this information on the mainframe forever is prohibitive, the information is archived and removed. It is either printed to paper or "printed" on a form of microfilm called microfiche, a process that is referred to as Computer Output to Microfilm (COM). Each year, companies spend over $1 million on COM products and services.
This eGuide describes what COLD is, discusses the key benefits provided by COLD, and points out the major distinctions between COM and COLD. In addition, this guide explains the various ways COLD can be implemented, and outlines factors you'll need to consider when selecting a COLD system. |
