When I'm faced with an overwhelming project, I like to break it up into smaller, easier to handle bits. Handling the easiest parts first allows you to make quick wins and fast gains.
Removing paper from the business is often one of these overwhelming projects. To help you break it down into some small bites, we've pulled out where you can focus your paper reduction efforts for some quick wins to get you started.
Here's a look at what the research tells us are the best processes to focus on first:
- In general, a focus on paper reduction yields quick results -> 60% of users have seen ROI on their paper-free projects within 12 months, and an impressive 77% within 18 months. Faster response to customers and higher productivity are seen as the biggest benefits, along with improved remote and mobile availability. Legal and finance departments are considered to be the most resistant to paper-free working.
- Accounting processes still a great place to start -> On average, 44% of invoices arrive as electronic (PDF, Fax, EDI). 59% of these will still end up as a paper copy, mostly printed prior to manual processing (39%). 13% print a copy and then scan it back in. Only 8% pass it directly to the capture system.
- Eliminating paper at the door is a proven strategy -> 38% of users showed an ROI from digital mailrooms within 12 months, and 60% within 18 months.