Companies using ECM will collectively create a Green future. That’s the predictionof the analyst group Gartner.
Being able to store records and documents in electronic form is considerably more environment-friendly compared to paper. For example, paper archived in storage vaults is often maintained at a constant temperature to prevent degradation, requiring a lot of energy to create the correctly cooled/heated environment.
“The 1980’s notion of a paperless office was about how technology could bring efficiency and change work styles,” said Mark Gilbert, an analyst at Gartner. “Organizations are realizing that process improvements and the move away from paper to electronic processes can also bring green benefits, such as energy savings from paper production, distribution, usage and disposition, and transit through the postal system.”
Gartner recommends six areas where companies can use ECM to both become more efficient while at the same time being more environmentally friendly.
1) Make information capture more efficient.
2) Understand that storing paper can be very energy intensive compared to electronic document storage
3) Build an ECM strategy
4) Consider outsourcing content management to an outside vendor
5) Build Content-Enabled Vertical Applications (CEVAs) on top of your ECM system to leverage your electronic assets and to automate processes
6) Leverage ECM and electronic communication with customers, partners, and internally in your organization
