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You just walked into a file room ... Now What?‏

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There are two typical responses:

Which response are you?

I hope you are closer to #2 that #1. However, if you are firmly in the camp of #1 today that's OK … for now. But, be warned. If you are a system integrator or even an ISV you are leaving money on the table and allowing your competition to get a foot in the door.

This is especially true if you are in the SharePoint space. Most system integrators in SharePoint arena focus on the document management and the workflow aspects of the ECM system. What I call Pillars 2 and 3. There is an opportunity to help your customers manage their paper based assets. Both at Document Capture (aka scan) time and for the Storage steps. Scan time is what I call Pillar One and Storage is what I call Pillar Four.

What do I mean?

The goal of a paperless office is probably just that … a goal.

However, there are process efficiencies that can be brought to the forefront. The smart system integrators are starting to get this. The smart ISV’s are starting the get this too and are adding front end capture components – either directly or through partnerships to their applications.

What would I like to see?

I'd like to get people acting like #2 and shouting "Awesome” when the walk into a file room. I’d like to see customers and partners helping to drive paper and process inefficiencies out of their business. In the end will the paper all go away? I doubt it, but it’s a worthwhile goal and one that can create significant benefits for the business.

What do you think?

• When you want into a File Room are you a #1 or a #2?
• Does your company need help managing your paper based assets?(note: Paper is an Asset)
• Will paper ever go completely away? (as my friend Dan Leach said today … there is no paper on Star Trek … so there is hope for the future)

Comments

Both ansers are false ...

Submitted by Ulrich Kampffmeyer March 19, 2011 - 9:42 AM

Hey Jeff,
both answers are false.
The correct answer to the messy room #1 would be:
"Lets move in, get rid of the mess, scan or delete the stuff, index it, and afterwards prepare a party for #WPFD World Paper Free Day" in the empty space.
The correct answer to the empty room #2 would be:
"Hey, great, an empty filing room, lets put some malt whisky bottles in the empty shelves and lets have a party on #WPFD World Paper Free Day"!
Kind regards,
Uli

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Step 3, never make another piece of paper

Submitted by Daniel O'Leary March 19, 2011 - 3:25 PM

My first step is to immediately ship off all records over 2 years in age to a storage shed somewhere. This gives you some breathing room. Second, scan EVERYTHING moving forward, no more paper ever goes into a box or a file room. Third, replace paper processes using things like eForms or other applications. Fourth, provide training and devices to staff to teach them how to live a paperless lifestyle. Fifth, PARTY!

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This post and comment(s) reflect the personal perspectives of community members, and not necessarily those of their employers or of AIIM International