How long should SMEs retain AI-processed documents?

There is no single retention period for every document. Active contracts may need to be kept longer than operational invoices or temporary scans. Group documents by purpose and define how long they are genuinely needed.

Over-retention increases storage cost and the volume of data that must be protected. Under-retention can remove history needed for review, reconciliation or disputes. SMEs can start with a simple policy by document type and named owner.

When the period ends, deletion should be controlled and auditable. Good retention is tied to a clear business reason, not indefinite storage by default.