Let me start this section by saying nobody ever knows how complex their existing tape management processed are until they start implementing TapeTrack.

There are many factors that result in this realization, but above all, is the fact that prior to the TapeTrack implementation, the majority of management processes are manual, and unmanaged, and have been created with no consideration of ever formalizing the process.

Inevitably, the four biggest challenges that any TapeTrack user has to overcome are:

1. The lack of understanding of existing processes.
2. Existing processes that are unnecessarily complex and based on unsound logic.
3. Having software that will warn of mistakes that previously went unnoticed.
4. The design of TapeTrack, which shows tapes in all locations, not just one.

When implementing TapeTrack, it is important to take into account how the product will be implemented, and who this implementation will affect.

The following implementation phases are based upon the knowledge we have gained over the past 20 years as we have implemented TapeTrack. It goes without saying that this knowledge is based almost exclusively on mistakes that have been made in previous implementations.

While it is completely up to you how you implement TapeTrack, these suggested phases are what we would recommend as best practice for implementing the product.

When implementing TapeTrack, each company have their own objectives. It is however important that these objectives be identified before any other activities begin.

At a high level, our suggested objectives are:

1. To create a completed inventory record of every tape asset owned by the enterprise.
2. To create a consistent tape management process across the enterprise, or where that is not appropriate, a common framework to formalize the different management processes that might exist in each region.
3. To create a chain-of-custody record of each activity related to each and every tape.
4. To automate as many tape management processes as possible by leveraging the features of TapeTrack, and by integrating with third party software products and library hardware.
5. To better organize tape libraries that are in racks and shelving units.
6. To implement reporting processes to comply with regulatory requirements.