Adobe has recently released a new study that reveals important new insights from U.S. managers around digital business processes and paper.
According to the study, "Paper: An Endangered Species?" the majority of the managers surveyed had overwhelmingly negative attitudes toward traditional paper-based processes and cite productivity, security, attracting talent and going green as the benefits of a completely digital workflow.
download: Paper An Endangered Species.pdf (1MB)
"Printers, scanners, and fax machines are killing business productivity," commented Jon Perera, vice president, EchoSign, Adobe. "Successful organizations are quickly moving towards paperless-based approaches for their critical business processes. This is about driving revenue, cutting costs, improving security, and reducing environmental impact."
The study reveals that paper can be a hindrance to productivity as more than one-half of managers believe that digital approaches simplify work, are easy to use and allow them to be more efficient. Further, companies slow to adopt fully digital practices are at a disadvantage when it comes to growing their businesses and ultimately attracting new customers:
- 51% of respondents said that a digital workflow makes filing and managing documents easier;
- 61% of managers said working digitally saves on costs;
- 32% said a digital workflow is more efficient, giving them an edge with client work and ultimately helps win new business.
The study also points out a growing attitude that it's more prestigious to work for a company that is committed to go digital:
- 76% of respondents said they are impressed by companies that have a strong digital presence;
- 71% said they wish their company was more digital;
- 68% said that it is important for a company to operate mostly electronically versus on paper when they are deciding where to work.