Index cards and rolodexes with databases
Typed letters and faxes with email
Reference books with the internet.
Another way to eliminate paper is to automate paper-based processes that rely on
forms, applications and surveys to capture and share data.
This method is referred to as "Enterprise Forms Automation" and is typically
accomplished by using existing print-perfect documents in electronic format to allow
for pre-filling of existing data, capturing data manually entered online by end-users,
providing secure methods to submit form data to processing systems, and digitally
signing the electronic documents without printing.
2.3 The technologies that may be used are:
Form Technology (e.g. Adobe PDF) - to create, display and interact with documents
and forms
Enterprise Forms Automation software - to integrate forms and form data with
processing systems
Databases - to capture data for pre-filling and processing documents
Workflow platforms - to route information, documents and direct process flow
Digital signature solutions - to digitally sign documents (used by end-users)
Web servers - to host the process, receive submitted data, store documents and
manage document rights
2.4 Digitizing paper-based documents
Another key aspect of the paperless office philosophy is the conversion of paper
documents, photos, engineering plans, and all the other paper based systems to digital
documents. Technologies that may be used for this include scanners, digital mail
solutions, book copiers, wide format scanners (for engineering drawings), scanners,
fax to PDF conversion, online post offices, multifunction printers and document
management systems.
2.5 Difficulties in adapting the paperless office
A major difficulty in "going paperless" is that much of a communication is with other
organization and individuals, as opposed to just being internal. Electronic
communication requires both the sender and the recipient to have easy access to
appropriate software and hardware.
Another difficulty in adopting the paperless office is the human factor. Commercially
feasible technology is widely available to digitize documents, even full libraries of