Document imaging technology helps businesses finally begin to deliver on what over half a century ago IBM scientists first touted: the paperless office. With the aid of document imaging, businesses today can streamline operations by replacing many hard copy documents with digitalized ones. Through file imaging faxes, emails and regular file documents can be digitalized, saving space, time and money for the organization.
Basically, document imaging is a matter of scanning files and paper documents, then having them converted into digital images that can be stored in Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) or digital files on your network server, computer hard drive, CD, DVD, or Document Management System. Often organizations prefer to have their file imaging stored off-site with a third party provider. This can be an excellent choice that offers greater security for important company documents and reduces employees' workload, freeing them up to handle other tasks.
Another advantage of document imaging is the capacity it offers for using optical character recognition (OCR) on scanned documents. Using OCR an employee can search a document for specific text blocks and then copy them to another application — a real time saver!
One of the great advantages of using file imaging is the ability to scan in a faxed or paper form and then be able to fill it out online — even check boxes. Once complete, the form can be sent via email.
Other advantages include:
-Document imaging makes it possible to add comments to a scanned document on your computer and then publish it by email to others.
-file imaging allows anyone in your office to circulated scanned documents as email or as an Internet fax.
-file imaging permits the reorganizing and pagination of a scanned document and then the distribution of it via email.
-file imaging lets you copy images or text from scanned pieces and insert them into other documents.
In all, document imaging cuts paper costs, handling costs and storage costs and that leads to a more efficient office and workforce. And, once a document is scanned, any authorized person can access it wherever an Internet connection is available.
Clearly, while file imaging does not fully eliminate the need for hard copy documents, it does take a giant leap toward a more efficient, more earth-friendly office.
All this being said, most experts believe that we will never become a fully paperless society. There will always be those who want to print out a document and hold it in their hands. However, as people become more comfortable with the convenience of electronic commerce, finance and communication, more and more of our lives will be handled through electronic documents and our society will, as a result, become increasingly paperless.
Copyright (c) 2008 Bill Thomas
What does being smack dab in the middle of the digital age mean to you? Are you going to sit back and let others cash in, or are you going to do some good for yourself? When it comes down to it, there are many ways that you can capitalize on what the digital age has to offer. No, this is not going to be easy, but the time is now if you want to get involved. Technology is at an all time high, and there are many opportunities for getting your hands on the big bucks that are out there.
Before you can capitalize on the digital age you need to get a better idea as to what is available. As you can imagine, some opportunities are probably better for you than others; this is to be expected. If you are going to succeed, you need to choose the one that will set you up for the highest level of success.
Here are three ways that you can capitalize on the digital age. At the very least, these should get you thinking about your situation, what is out there, and how you can take advantage.
1. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you may want to consider starting your own company based around a digital age product or service. For instance, video email is revolutionizing the way that people communicate. This not only holds true among friends and family, but this is a huge tool for many industries as well. If you can help people to better use this tool, it is safe to say that you will be well on your way to cashing in on the digital age.
2. Even though you may have a great idea of your own, putting it into effect is not always going to be a walk in the park. You need to consider how much drive and knowledge you have. And if not enough to venture out on your own, get in touch with companies that are taking advantage of the digital age. They may have a position available that fits your skill set. No, you will not be solely responsible for every aspect of the business, but you will be cashing in on digital age services and/or products nonetheless.
3. You cannot be afraid to try new things. There is a good chance that you may not know much about the digital age, where it has been, or how it is progressing. But with that being said, if you stay intimidated you will never be able to capitalize on the opportunities that are out there. This is not to say that you should sink your life savings into a new venture, but you should calculate your risk and then determine if it is worth going for. Remember, the biggest names in technology sector started out with nothing more than an idea, just like you.
As you can see, there are many ways that you can capitalize on the digital age. There are a lot of people who are looking into opportunities such as video email, video blogging, live broadcast, digital content, and much more. If you do not take the time to look into the potential within the digital age, you are doing yourself a major disservice. There is no guarantee that you will make a lot of money within one of these opportunities, but since so many people are interested in them, it is safe to say that you have a good chance if you begin moving in the right direction.
All in all, do yourself a favor and get involved with the digital age before the times pass you by.
Both Bill Thomas & P. Majestyck are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.