Comparatif ECM, SAE, CFN, GED : Definitions, Use Cases, and Compliance
Below is a comparative summary of the four main document management systems:
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ECM (Enterprise Content Management)
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SAE (Système d’Archivage Électronique)
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CFN (Coffre-Fort Numérique )
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GED (Gestion Électronique des Documents)
For each solution, the notion of compliance and applicable standards is explicitly included.
Enterprise Content Management (ECM)
Request originator: IT Department, Executive Management, Digital Transformation.
Purpose: Global, centralized management of all digital content (documents, emails, images, videos…) and integration with other enterprise systems (ERP, CRM…).
Retention: Variable depending on integrated modules (can include GED, SAE, workflows…).
Durability: Good to very good, depending on architecture and selected modules.
Evidential value: Variable – depends on integration of an SAE module compliant with standards (e.g., NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641).
Search capabilities: Unified multi-source search, advanced indexing, workflow management.
Compliance and standards: ECM itself is not a certified system but may include components compliant with archiving and security standards (NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641, ISO 27001, GDPR).
Système d’Archivage Électronique (SAE)
Request originator: Legal, Compliance, or Records Management Departments, Administrative Directors.
Purpose: Secure long-term preservation ensuring evidential value and legal compliance.
Retention: Long-term, based on strict legal durations.
Durability: Maximum ensures format management, traceability, integrity, and controlled destruction.
Evidential value: Yes, through compliance with normative requirements (NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641), timestamping, sealing, and electronic signatures.
Search capabilities: Advanced search, indexing, full traceability.
Compliance and standards: SAE certified in compliance with NF Z42-013 (France), ISO 14641 (international), GDPR, and specific sectoral requirements.
Coffre-Fort Numérique (CFN)
Request originator: Individuals, HR departments, external clients, or independent professionals.
Purpose: Secure, confidential, and personal storage of sensitive documents (e.g., payslips, banking records…).
Retention: Medium to long-term, depending on provider and use case.
Durability: Good depends on provider reliability and contractual commitments.
Evidential value: Sometimes, if the CFN is certified under NF Z42-020 or qualified under the eIDAS trusted service framework.
Search capabilities: Simple search by folder or keyword.
Compliance and standards: CFN certified NF Z42-020 , compliant with eIDAS (for evidential document preservation) and GDPR.
Gestion Électronique des Documents (GED)
Request originator: Operational teams, business units, project teams.
Purpose: Daily, collaborative, and dynamic management of documents (creation, editing, validation, sharing).
Retention: Short to medium term, aligned with the active life of documents.
Durability: Limited, since documents can be modified or updated.
Evidential value: No GED does not ensure the integrity or immutability required for evidential value.
Search capabilities: Full-text search, metadata filtering, advanced filters.
Compliance and standards: Not certified for archiving; GDPR compliance for personal data management and possibly ISO 27001 for security.
Comparative Summary: ECM vs SAE vs CFN vs GED
| Criterion | ECM | SAE | CFN | GED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Request originator | IT, Executive Management | Legal, Compliance, Archives | Individual, HR, Clients | Operational, Business Units |
| System purpose | Enterprise-wide content management, systems integration | Legal preservation, evidential value, traceability | Secure personal storage, confidentiality | Daily collaborative management |
| Retention | Variable (depends on modules) | Long-term | Medium to long-term | Short to medium term |
| Durability | Good to very good | Maximum | Good | Limited |
| Evidential value | Variable (if SAE integrated) | Yes (NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641) | Sometimes (NF Z42-020 , eIDAS) | No |
| Search capabilities | Unified search, workflows | Advanced search, indexing, full-text | Simple search | Full-text, metadata |
| Compliance / Standards | Modular compliance (NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641, ISO 27001, GDPR) | eIDAS, NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641, ISO 27001, GDPR | NF Z42-020 , eIDAS, GDPR | GDPR, possibly ISO 27001 |
| Archiving and security norms | Flexible integration (NF Z42-013 , ISO 14641, ISO 27001, GDPR) | NF Z42-013 (France), ISO 14641 (international), ISO 27001, GDPR | NF Z42-020 , eIDAS, ISO 27001, GDPR | GDPR, optionally ISO 27001 |
Key Takeaways
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ECM provides global, integrated content management, but evidential value depends on integrated modules.
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SAE is essential for legal preservation and compliance with archiving standards.
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CFN serves individual or confidential storage needs, offering evidential value if certified.
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GED optimizes everyday document management but does not ensure evidential value or long-term preservation.
The right system depends on your compliance, security, retention, and collaboration requirements.
A combined approach is often recommended to cover the full document lifecycle.
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Preserve the long-term value of your records: Contact us today.
