Breaking Boundaries at RIMPA Live 2025: Redefining the Future of Information Management

When you walk into RIMPA Live, you’re not just attending a conference — you’re stepping into a conversation about the future of records and information management. This year’s event was no exception. With a theme centred on innovation, collaboration, and breaking down barriers, RIMPA Live 2025 challenged us to rethink what “records” mean in a world where technology and human behaviour are evolving faster than ever.

The conference brought together industry leaders, practitioners, and innovators to explore how organisations can adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. From compliance pressures to digital transformation, the stakes have never been higher. And yet, the conversations were anything but dry; sessions were lively, engaging, and sometimes downright playful.

Two standout sessions captured this spirit perfectly: 

1. From Gen X to Gen Z: Morse Code to Social Media (Because Who Needs Actual Records?)
2. Beyond the Silos: Playing “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” with Your Information Systems 

Both sessions were thought-provoking, humorous, and deeply relevant to the challenges organisations face today. Let’s dive into the key insights and why they matter to you as you navigate the complex landscape of information governance.

The Generational Shift: From Morse Code to Social Media

The first session, led by Alyssa Blackburn, Paula Smith, David Robinson, Jemima Blackburn, Ava Berends, Daniel Proko, and Anne Cornish, explored a fascinating question: How do different generations perceive and manage information? 

Records Aren’t Dead — But They’re Different

Have you ever wondered how Gen Z really sees records, or what will happen when Gen Alpha starts managing their own records?

We know that for Gen X, records were tangible; they lived in filing cabinets, stamped with dates and signatures. Meanwhile, Gen Y, also called millennials, are those who bridge the generation gaps and grew up with floppy disks (specifically the 3.5inch) and dial-up internet but now thrive in cloud-based ecosystems. Then there are members of Gen Z, for whom records are ephemeral and live in chat threads, social media posts, and collaborative platforms.

The expert panel really hit a nerve that the shift in generation isn’t just about technology. Instead, it’s about mindset and adaptability.

• From the Gen X perspective, it’s about stability, compliance, and control. Records were sacred artefacts. They value structure and formal processes.
• From the Gen Y perspective, it’s about adaptability and convenience. They champion digital transformation but still appreciate governance frameworks. They’re pragmatic and comfortable with automation but cautious about risk.
• From the Gen Z perspective, it’s about speed, accessibility, and flexibility. Records are part of a fluid digital conversation. They expect instant access and intuitive tools.

This generational divide creates not just tension but also opportunity. Organisations who embrace these differences can design systems that cater to both worlds: robust enough for compliance, agile enough for collaboration. 

Why Generational Shifts Matters

Ignoring generational behaviours can lead to compliance gaps and cultural friction that stand in the way of digital transformation. For example: 

• A Gen Z employee might assume a Teams chat is “record enough,” while a compliance officer knows it’s not.
• A Gen Y leader might push for automation but still want manual checks for peace of mind.
• A Gen X manager might insist on PDF archives, while the business demands real-time dashboards.

The takeaway? Education and empathy are essential. We need to bridge these perspectives with policies and tools that make governance intuitive, not intrusive, which entails but are not limited to:

• Designing user-friendly compliance workflows.
• Communicating the “why” behind governance — not just the “how.”
• Leveraging technology to meet people where they are. 

Beyond the Silos: Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon for Your Data

The second session, co-presented by Alyssa Blackburn and Janine Morris, took a playful approach to a serious issue: siloed information systems.

The Kevin Bacon Analogy in Information Management

If you’ve ever played “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” you know the premise: Everything is connected. It’s a concept based on the theory that any two people on Earth are connected through six or fewer social connections.

Why does this matter for information and data management? Basically, your systems are like actors in a sprawling movie universe — connected, but often through convoluted paths. You have your HR data in one platform, finance in another, customer data somewhere else, and records split somewhere between. The links exist, but they’re hard to trace.

This fragmentation creates risk:

• Compliance blind spots: Policies applied inconsistently across systems
• Operational inefficiency: Time wasted searching for information
• Security vulnerabilities: Unmonitored data in forgotten silos

The Solution: Interconnected Ecosystems

Integration is not just a technical construct; it’s a strategic initiative for modern data management. It’s about creating an ecosystem where records flow seamlessly across platforms, governance policies apply universally, and users can access what they need without compromising security.

AvePoint’s perspective is clear: Integration is resilience. In a world of increasing regulatory scrutiny and cyberthreats, organisations can’t afford silos. They need visibility, control, and agility in their data management strategy.

The Common Thread: Adaptability

What ties these sessions together? Adaptability. Whether it’s generational change or system integration, success depends on our ability to evolve. Here’s how:

• Cultural adaptability allows us to recognise that Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z bring different strengths and designing processes that leverage all three.
• Technological adaptability enables us to move beyond legacy systems to interconnected platforms that support compliance and collaboration. 

Practical Information Management Takeaways for Organisations

Here are five actionable insights from RIMPA Live 2025: 

AvePoint’s Role in Information Ecosystems

At AvePoint, we don’t just talk about breaking silos; we build the data management tools that make it possible. Our mission is to help organisations govern, protect, and optimise their information ecosystems so they can thrive in an era of complexity and change. We see three critical challenges in these environments:

1. Fragmented systems. Data is scattered across Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and third-party platforms.
2. Compliance pressure. Increasing regulatory requirements demand consistent governance.
3. Operational risk. Cybersecurity threats and data loss can cripple business continuity.

AvePoint addresses these challenges through integrated solutions that combine automation, intelligence, and resilience.

At AvePoint’s core is the capability to provide organisations with:

• Unified governance. AvePoint enables organisations to apply policies consistently across Microsoft 365 and beyond. Whether it’s retention, classification, or access control, governance becomes seamless — not siloed.
• Automated compliance. Manual processes are slow and error prone. AvePoint automates compliance workflows, ensuring that records are captured, retained, and disposed of according to policy without burdening users.  
• Data resilience. Backup and recovery aren’t optional — they’re essential. AvePoint provides robust backup solutions for Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and other platforms, reducing downtime and protecting against ransomware.
• Insights and reporting. Visibility is power. Our dashboards give compliance officers and IT leaders real-time insights into data flows, risk exposure, and policy adherence. 

By breaking down silos and simplifying governance, we empower organisations to focus on what matters: delivering value, not chasing records. 

What’s Next for Records and Information Management Professionals?

The next frontier isn’t just integration, it’s intelligence. AI and machine learning will play a pivotal role in:

• Predicting compliance risks before they occur.
• Automating classification and retention.
• Enhancing user experience through smart recommendations. 

Technology alone isn’t enough; organisations need cultural adaptability. When Gen Alpha enters the workforce, the conversation will shift again. Organisations that embrace continuous learning and flexibility will thrive in their digital transformation efforts.

RIMPA Live 2025 reminded us that records management isn’t just about technology; it’s about people, culture, and connection. From Morse Code to social media, from isolated systems to integrated ecosystems, the journey is ongoing. But with the right mindset and tools, we can build a future where information is not just managed, it’s leveraged.

Want to continue the conversation? Connect with AvePoint to explore how we can help you break boundaries and build resilience.