U of M: Enterprise Application Development: Document Imaging.

Despite the concept of the "paperless office" many business functions in the workplace still rely heavily on creating, moving, copying, processing, and storing paper documents. The Enterprise Document Imaging Project was formed to help departments within the University to implement the ImageNow imaging software as part of an enterprise-wide document imaging solution to reduce reliance on paper and increase efficiency. The goal of the EAD Imaging Group is to make the benefits of imaging technology available to all areas of the University. By working with individual departments to determine how ImageNow can meet their needs, we hope to improve the processes, reduce costs, and increase the productivity of the University as a whole.

Already over twenty diverse areas of the University are realizing the benefits of document imaging, including undergraduate Admissions in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and the Twin Cities; the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Finance, CLA Student Services, HR Benefits and HR Payroll, the School of Public Health, the Bursar's Office; and the Offices of Financial Aid in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and the Twin Cities.

Advantages of document imaging:

Ease of access-documents can be located and viewed from your computer, and are easily shared with others
Safe long-term document storage-electronic documents are more secure and less likely to be lost or damaged than paper documents
Space and costs required for paper storage reduced or eliminated-no more rooms full of filing cabinets, or the costs associated with off-site storage and retrieval
More efficient business processes-do the same amount of work with fewer staff/resources, or increase your capacity with existing staff/resources
Ability to automate document processing through Workflow

If you are interesting in finding out how document imaging can make a difference in your office, visit the EAD Document Imaging website or contact the EAD Imaging Group at EAD-Imaging@lists.umn.edu for more information.