Content is captured and archived at an archive center (AC) and, depending upon records management (RM) policy, is managed by the AC or under RM control by a content server (CS). Both the AC and CS may be part of an enterprise content management system. The AC provides a user-friendly interface through which retention zones may be defined, and functionality for applying RM policy. The functionality can be triggered via a specific content property or through a retention zone under RM control. The RM control can be turned on or off from within the AC using the user-friendly interface. Archived content is not moved or duplicated. Rather, metadata and a link to the storage location are sent to the CS which, in turn, creates a content server document that is linked to the archived content. Only a portion of archived content is exposed to the CS through the AC.