The Three-Step Program to Paperless Efficiency

Sometimes when we speak with companies about document management, we hear, “This solution would be so great … if only we had the budget for it.” There is a perception that if you want to make a digital transformation to go paperless, you have to buy the whole expensive software package with all the bells and whistles. Many people don’t realize that they can purchase a scalable solution like DocLink to start small and grow at the company’s pace.  

For some companies, it’s easier to get approval on the investment if it comes in smaller pieces.  

Step One: Electronic Documents 

The easiest concept to explain, and perhaps the most important, is the idea of taking printed, physical documents and replacing them with electronic ones. To accomplish this, we simply need to capture an image of the document, either by scanning it or sending it to a virtual printer, then give that document meaning by adding index values. By purchasing this simple, document repository system, a company could save significant amounts of time and money that would be spent storing and searching for documents.  

Step Two: Output Automation 

Being able to store and view documents electronically is huge when it comes to saving on storage costs, but the costs to send documents through the mail or via courier can get quite expensive too. The Output tool will automatically distribute documents via email, fax or print – depending on the recipient’s preference. Not having to separate, fold, apply postage and mail all of those documents is a significant benefit, and not having to keep track of who needs which documents sent in what format is certainly helpful too. 

Step Three: Workflow Automation 

The next step in a paperless office environment is being able to route documents for approval. An invoice, for example, might need to go through several levels of approval before accounts payable can cut a check. Sometimes that even involves sending it to different approvers based on the amount or the vendor. With workflow automation, those documents can automatically reach the appropriate first step in the approval process once they are scanned in. Then after reviewing, making notes or coding, that approver can click a button to send it to the next step in the approval process. Workflow automation saves time while allowing for reporting and auditing of activity. Managing processes electronically minimizes the chances for error and gives supervisors the ability to manage to the exception instead of the rule. 

To learn more about how to go paperless and streamline processes throughout your business, attend an educational webinar on DocLink, Sage Document Management on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 11 am (CT).