A Classification system is the framework for records management. It defines the types of information which can exist within an organization and ensures consistent coding of documents according to their subject matter.

A Classification System consists of:

• Primaries which are a set of categories that define all the different types of information that may be created by an organization.
• Secondaries are the second level and are a further breakdown of the type of information within each Primary Number.
• Tertiaries (a further breakdown of secondary numbers). (Tertiaries are optional).

You may also have Schedule Numbers which identify the version of the Classification System {Schedule Numbers are optional}.

You can use the QUEST system to :

• Set up and maintain a Classification system
• Automatically create keywords for a Primary or Secondary for quick searching (using the QKeyword Search function)
• Setup Retention Schedules that designate how long information is kept
• Identify VR (Vital Records)
• Identify Freedom of Information Records (PIB - Personal Information Bank, PUR - Public Use Record)

Classifications may be incorporated electronically with the system when it is first purchased and QUEST can come preloaded with:

• British Columbia Provincial Government Administrative and/or Operational Records Classification System
• British Columbia Local Government Management Association System (LGMA)  
• Alberta Government Administrative Records Disposition Authority (A.R.D.A.)
• Association of Municipal Administration of Nova Scotia (AMANS)
• Government of Nova Scotia STAR System
• Universal Classification System that can be used by all types of organizations

Or you can create your own Classification System (or customize the Universal Classification to your specific requirements).

Other features of QUEST Classifications:

• Create restricted access against a Secondary (only certain users have the ability to look at files under that Secondary)
• Maintain the status of Secondaries and Tertiaries (allows your Records Manager to track whether or not a Secondary, Tertiary are "draft" or "approved")
• Use templates to setup default retention schedules that are used when you create a new Secondary, Teriary

• Setup Standard Secondaries, Tertiaries that are created each time you add a new Primary 

Feature