How E-Forms Can Transform Your Business

by Mitch Taube
Digiscribe

When most people think of e-forms , they think of a fillable PDF that is printed, signed and either scanned for emailing, faxed or heaven forbid mailed. Whichever scenario you conjure up, a fillable PDF is not a "true" electronic form and cannot provide companies with an integrated solution to streamlining and automating key business processes.

Here are 8 ways in which "true" electronic forms can transform your business. This is especially important since 85% of business processes rely on forms. *

1. Eliminate the Paper from the Beginning: E-forms are more than just an electronic version of a paper form. They promptly capture, verify, approve and integrate data with the critical business systems used to run organizations. When information is automatically captured and distributed without a paper form to begin with, business processes are streamlined, efficiency is improved, costs are cut and your organization becomes a little greener.

2. Release the Information Needed to Run Your Business: Most of the information needed to run your business is trapped on paper and paper equivalents such as Word documents, PDF files and pre-printed forms. By capturing and moving crucial information-previously trapped -into core business systems faster and more affordably, e-forms enable organizations to improve customer service, shorten cycle times and lower operating costs.

3. Integrate Data with Core Business Systems Automatically: Once submitted, data entered on an e-form can be saved to one or more business system databases automatically and seamlessly. With two-way integration, an existing database can pre-fill a form, allowing for confirmation of information and elimination of user error. Integration is secure and works within an organization's IT architectural structure and standards. Data captured on e-forms are typically sent to HR, finance, customer support and custom applications. The e-forms themselves reside within an electronic content management system for secure storage, retrieval, distribution and management.

4. Improve Data Accuracy: Auto drop down lists and completion guides with field-specific instructions ensure data is captured accurately and completely. E-forms can auto-populate fields based on prior data entered and validate field-level data and form-level completeness before submission. Without the need for someone to manually enter data from a paper form into another system, data entry errors are eliminated and no data is lost in transcription.

5. Kick off Automated Workflow: Once submitted, e-forms can implement an automated workflow based on an organization's business rules. Employee applications can be distributed to the appropriate individual in HR for review, sales orders can be sent to a manager for approval and then on to distribution for delivery, credit applications can be sent to the appropriate manager in the finance department for immediate review and approval. Automated workflow is seamless, quick and ensures accountability.

6. Digitally Signed E-Forms are Legally Binding : Digital signature technology allows users to sign an e-form without the need for distributed digital certificates or third party certificate authorities. Existing login ID/Passwords can be used for signing e-forms and built-in encryption tools allow for secure transmission of data.

7. Easy to Design & Set Up: E-forms are easy to design, create and publish with no programming skills required. Features such as drag and drop, pre-built field validation controls and group controls ensure sophisticated layouts with trouble-free design and implementation. Existing paper forms and PDF's can be easily copied or customized so screens can have a familiar user interface to speed adoption.

8. Realize a Quick ROI: E-forms can deliver an ROI in as little as a few months, depending upon the number of forms processed monthly. Form completion costs, processing costs and correction costs are radically reduced. Paper related expenses, such as supplies, storage and transportation, are eliminated altogether.

Not every electronic management company has the expertise and flexibility to help you implement an e-form solution. You should look for a document management service provider that will help your company operate more efficiently, improve your bottom line and strengthen your competitive position; now and as you plan for growth in the future. Experience, flexibility of service offerings, reliability, client-focused services and value-add are all key qualities to look for in an e-forms service provider.

*source: Gartner Research

Article submitted Tuesday, May 25, 2010 & read 139 times.

Mitch Taube CDIA+

President/CEO

Digiscribe International

Mitch Taube founded Digiscribe in 2001 to provide companies of all sizes with cost-effective document scanning and electronic document management services.

With over 25 years of experience providing document management services, Mitch brings a wealth of expertise and insight to helping companies go paperless.

Mitch has served in various leadership roles for AIIM, the principal association serving the electronic content management industry. He is a featured blogger in the e-book "8 Secrets of an Effective Content or Records Management Implementation."

Mr. Taube is a frequent speaker on how companies can increase efficiency, reduce costs and go green with electronic document management.

Mitch is CDIA+ Certified as a Document Imaging Architech and professionally certified by leading document management software companies. He is the 2009 recipient of the Westchester County Association's APEX Award.

Contact Mitch at mitchtaube@digiscribe.info

http://www.linkedin.com/mitchtaube

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» left by Jennifer Stewart (1 year 344 days ago.)

I had never thought about e-forms in terms of their "organic" nature, and flexibility. This is an enlightening article, Mitch.
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