document stresses urgency for a high-level of automation that will result in changes to the current approach to managing electronic records.

[…]

ERA must be capable of addressing electronic records for which there has been little or no front-end involvement or preparation prior to their transfer by the originating entity. Further, the user scenarios presented in this document recognize that NARA staff may act in the role of the originating entity. While the scenarios assume some degree of front-end involvement, they include the possibility that all transfers may not conform to ERA requirements. Acknowledging that the level of processing and service for nonconforming electronic records may vary, ERA will nevertheless provide a means of preserving and accessing these materials.

[…]

Various benefits, limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of ERA are covered in this section.

Potential disadvantages or limitations to ERA include:

• High development costs

• High costs associated with security

• NARA staff anxiety brought about by new responsibilities resulting from changes due to electronic records

• Poor NARA staff morale without proactive change management

• Impact on originating entities (resources required to prepare for transfer of materials to NARA, greater records management responsibilities)

• User misunderstanding of ERA’s relation to the universe of NARA’s holdings

ERA will offer numerous benefits to NARA and record users including:

• The preservation of electronic records that would otherwise be lost

• A wider variety of electronic records in NARA holdings

• Consolidated electronic records administration and streamlined internal workflow

• More front end involvement with originating entities

• Higher quality accessioned electronic records

• New tools to support processing and review of electronic records

  • Tools to aid in review decisions

  • Tools for withdrawal and redaction

  • Tools for description.

• Faster access to electronic records

• The ability to service additional record users

• Increased responsiveness and consistency with record users

• Remote access to electronic records

• Enhanced capabilities for searching electronic records