The process of archiving electronic mail messages as a discrete data object is a fundamental function for records management, compliance, and information governance. This procedure involves extracting the content of an electronic message, including its header information, body, and attachments, and storing it in a standardized file format. For example, a user might choose to convert an email message into a PDF document for long-term preservation or as an MSG file to maintain its original structure.
Retaining electronic correspondence in a readily accessible format offers numerous advantages. It facilitates efficient retrieval for legal discovery purposes, supports internal audits, and enables the creation of comprehensive archives for future reference. Historically, the practice of saving electronic messages to files gained prominence with the increasing reliance on email for business communication and the subsequent need to comply with regulatory requirements regarding data retention and accessibility.