Going Paperless in a Large Organization: Where to Start

Making an organization paperless is not just about scanning documents and storing them on a computer. It means "changing the way work is done" so that it is digital from start to finish.

Common obstacles

Habit: Employees are used to signing on paper
Legal concerns: Worries about the legal standing of electronic documents
Systems: Choosing a system that does not fit how the work is actually done

Road to Paperless

Start Small: Begin with simple internal processes, such as leave requests and travel expense claims
e-Signature: Adopt an electronic signature system (such as DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or an in-house system)
DMS (Document Management System): Have a document storage system that is easy to search and secure
Change Management: Communicate with and train employees so they understand the benefits and how to use the system

Results

Cost Saving: Lower spending on paper, ink, and storage space
Speed: Cut the time documents spend in transit from days to just a few minutes
Searchable: Find past documents instantly without digging through filing cabinets

Going paperless is the first step of Digital Transformation, and the one whose results are the clearest and most tangible.