Abstract: An improved information management system permits remote, on-demand storage and retrieval of documents including multimedia content, over low-speed communication links, while requiring only "thin" computing capability and a "thin wire" communication link. Heavy computing and data transfer-intensive processes are concentrated at the back end of the system, enabling the use of low bandwidth communication links, thereby obviating the need for users to purchase powerful (and hence expensive) microcomputers, servers, and complex software. The low bandwidth requirement leads to greater flexibility, whereby all manner of communication links can be used, including commonplace analog telephone lines, without significant degradation in performance. In real time retrieval and presentation of imaged documents, the system dynamically transforms stored documents to match the characteristics of a user's terminal and viewing option to avoid the transfer of a higher resolution document on lower resolution terminals.