This paper on multilingual information and retrieval systems with optical mass storage describes the technical principles of software design. The different layers and modules from the user interface via transformation modules, thesaurus modules and fulltext interpretation to database management are explained in detail. Three examples of multilingual document imaging systems are presented:\r^\r^ - HYPARCHIV multilingual standard optical filing software for Microsoft Windows and Novell Netware; \r^ - wfBase multilingual press and commerce information system base on four ISDN-knots in Switzerland; \r^ - HEMIS multilingual information system for CD-ROM distribution on environmental institutions, projects and programmes of the UN Environmental Programme UNEP/HEM.