How to Choose a DMS — Buyer's Guide 2026

How to Choose a DMS — Buyer's Guide 2026

Why DMS Choice Matters

A DMS is a system you'll use daily, for years. The wrong choice means: employee frustration, money wasted on unnecessary features, or worst — a system nobody uses because it's too complicated.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Cloud vs On-Premise

Cloud: no servers, access from anywhere, automatic backup, monthly subscription. On-premise: data stays with you, more control, but also more maintenance responsibility. For 95% of companies in 2026 — cloud is the better choice.

2. Language and Localization

Interface in your language, support in your language, documentation in your language. If the DMS isn't localized — employees won't use it.

3. Legal Compliance

Critical for regulated industries: archive books, retention schedules, destruction procedures, e-invoice integration. Many international DMS solutions lack local compliance features.

4. OCR and AI Capabilities

You scanned 1,000 invoices — can the DMS search them by content? AI classification automatically sorts documents. OCR converts images to searchable text.

5. Mobile App

If employees work in the field (transport, construction, service) — a mobile app is mandatory, not optional.

6. Integrations

E-invoicing, accounting software, e-signatures, email — the DMS must integrate with tools you already use.

DMS Evaluation Checklist

CriterionYes/No
Cloud hosting in EU
Localized interface
Archive book generation
OCR for scanned documents
AI classification
Mobile application
Client portal
E-signature integration
Free trial
Local language support

Conclusion

Arhivix checks every box on the checklist — localized interface, legal compliance, AI search, mobile app, client portal, and a free trial. See for yourself — sign up free.