The AIIM Blog - Overcoming Information Chaos

8 Reasons Why Santa Claus Needs Cloud-Based Document Management

Written by John Mancini | Nov 23, 2010 1:04:23 PM

1. Reduction in Paper

Santa receives millions and millions of letters each year and has always done his part when it comes to recycling. However, an online document management system that accepts uploaded letters and stores emails will take Santa’s green initiatives one step further by eliminating the need for paper altogether. The cumulative impact on reducing global warming will make the polar bears very happy!

2. Elimination of IT Infrastructure

Winter temperatures at the North Pole average around −30 °F. The brutal cold wreaks havoc on Santa’s existing data center. Where most servers need to be kept cool to operate efficiently, Santa’s servers need to be kept warm — at considerable cost. With a cloud-based DMS, Santa can reduce his energy costs, avoid technology obsolescence, and reduce the support burden on his IT elves.

3. Accessibility of Documents

Although Santa stays close to home for much of the time, he has a killer travel schedule one night a year. Rather than having to pop into a FedEx/Kinkos to receive a fax on Christmas Eve, Santa can retrieve any document he needs from KnowledgeTree while he’s on the go

4. Integration of Scanning and Capture Capabilities

It’s not enough just to scan documents to reduce paper. In Santa’s case, he’ll use KnowledgeTree with scanning and capture solutions to extract wish list and location information from every letter. The captured information can populate metadata fields and kick off workflow processes for the manufacturing and route planning elves.

5. Increased Compliance

It’s well known that Santa’s trip is tracked by NORAD through satellite systems, high-powered radars, and jet fighters. What’s less known is that Santa also coordinates his flight plans with civil aviation authorities so that airplane pilots and passengers are not startled at the sight of his sleigh. With online document management, Santa can share the latest version of his flight plans with the various aviation authorities around the world, preventing near-miss situations.

6. More Productive Work Environment

Automating manual processes using document-based workflow will make it possible for the elves to spend less time on repetitive administrative tasks and more time on toy-making. Santa anticipates that these efficient elves will be happier and more satisfied with their work, and break into song more often.

7. Increased Customer Satisfaction

The happy and efficient elves will make fewer mistakes in specifying, manufacturing, and routing the toys for proper delivery. With routine tasks flowing smoothly, the quality of work will increase, with a direct effect on customer satisfaction as more children receive exactly what they asked for.

8. Better Collaboration and Sharing

The ability to share documents with anyone makes it possible for Santa’s workshop to communicate and collaborate more closely with suppliers and shippers. Invoices, purchase orders, and shipping manifests are all coming online and can be quickly reconciled by warehouse elves.