4. Which papers to manage?

Despite all the efforts to dematerialize, paper is often still used in companies. Sometimes, the paper version is the one that serves as official proof. For example, if a contract is signed by hand, only the signed paper version is considered original by law. All other versions, whether scanned or photocopied, are merely copies.

In this respect, it's worth remembering that a computer document in which a signature scan is inserted is not considered, in the eyes of the law, to be signed. In fact, the only way to sign a computer document is to use the electronic signature process (see above).

So, when you identify the documents you need to manage and retain, you need to determine whether you're keeping a paper original or a computer original, or a paper copy or a computer copy, and for how long. Certain retention periods are set by law....