Despite Empirical Evidence of Digitization Benefits, Only 41% of Organizations Are Actively Decreasing Paper-Based Business Activities
New York, NY (PRWEB) November 26, 2013 -- For years, organizations have known of the inherent benefits of decreasing paper in the workplace. Yet despite overwhelming evidence, a recent study found that nearly 50% of businesses have made little to no progress on their paper-free initiatives.
A research study sponsored by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) and outsourcing provider Swiss Post Solutions (SPS) analyzed the processes that organizations are digitizing, and the positive results of these transitions. Conducting research across AIIM’s community of over 70,000 members, the companies gathered information from a representative spread of industries and sectors on their attitudes toward current and planned paper-free business components. Focusing on the benefits of digitization and a paperless work environment, the research revealed that by eliminating paper-based communications, respondents experienced an average of a 30% improvement in productivity.
When looking to improve on operational efficiencies, removing paper from the process can translate into significant cost savings and improvements. However, 19% of the companies surveyed reported that paper-based processes are increasing across their organizations. Respondents disclosed that the three biggest issues caused by paper-based processes are: time spent re-keying data, high storage volume, and the inability to monitor workflow.
According to Doug Miles, Director of Market Intelligence for AIIM, “There are tremendous opportunities for increasing cost savings and customer service levels by implementing processes that control the flow of paper. Outsourcing these functions to experienced document processing providers allows companies to benefit from industry best practices, appropriate technology, and project management expertise.”
The return on investment for these types of projects is also consistently strong; with two-thirds of businesses reporting returns within 18 months or less, and half in less than 12 months. The study noted that 50% of the respondents plan to outsource scanning and data capture pre-process projects in their organizations.
CEO of Swiss Post Solutions North America, Dan Moscatiello, said, “The survey results confirm what we have experienced in the marketplace. Our business continues to grow based on the demands by clients and prospects, and because SPS’ solutions help organizations realize the benefits of digitization and document process outsourcing; namely increased productivity, reduced costs, and enhanced competitive advantage.”
To download the Jump-Start Your Paper-Free Journey white paper, please go to: http://www.aiim.org/Research-and-Publications/Research/AIIM-White-Papers/Jumpstart-Paper-Free.
About AIIM
AIIM has been an advocate and supporter of information professionals for nearly 70 years. The association mission is to ensure that information professionals understand the current and future challenges of managing information assets in an era of social, mobile, cloud and big data. AIIM builds on a strong heritage of research and member service. Today, AIIM is a global, non-profit organization that provides independent research, education and certification programs to information professionals. AIIM represents the entire information management community: practitioners, technology suppliers, integrators and consultants.
About Swiss Post Solutions
SPS is a leading provider of solutions for the outsourcing of strategic business processes and offers comprehensive services in document management. SPS' 6,500 employees serve business clients in the areas of insurance, banking, telecommunications, media, retail, energy supply and travel & transportation. Part of the Swiss Post group, SPS is headquartered in Zurich (Switzerland) with an active presence in all important international economic regions.
SPS North America offers a comprehensive suite of business process outsourcing solutions and document management services including the transformation of key business applications from paper to digital documents enabling improved workflow and driving enhanced efficiencies. In the field of outsourced office services, SPS North America provides mailroom management, managed print services, reprographic services, IT helpdesk support, Front of House and reception services. The company has offices in New York City (HQ), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC and Toronto, and operates secure document processing centers in Long Island City and Toronto.
Janet Tarzia, Swiss Post Solutions, Inc., http://www.swisspostsolutions.com, +1 (212) 204-0779, [email protected]
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