The Paperless Office: Why It Hasn't Happened (And Why It's Going To)

THE PAPERLESS OFFICE WHY IT HASN'T HAPPENED AND WHY IT'S GOING TO The paperless office has been deemed inevitable over the last 20 years. So why, despite these predictions, have offices stubbornly stood still? Several factors contribute to the staying power of paper-based workplaces, but changing consumer attitudes suggest that offices could finally be ready to enter the digital age. WHAT HAS MADE THE PAPERLESS OFFICE POSSIBLE? Prior to the following innovations, paperless offices were simply nice ideas no one had the means to implement. These developments provided the tools and technology needed to bring the paperless office from the planning page into reality. PDF The increased adoption The growth of cloud computing The rise of remote of shared document work arrangements formats like PDF DECLINING PAPER USAGE In addition to technological progress, consumers are more committed than ever to reducing their paper usage. Among respondents of a September 2011 survey: Do you consider reducing your paper consumption important for environmental reasons? Many of the same respondents plan to use less paper in the next 5-10 years. HALF THE 32% 44% IMPORTANT AMOUNT OF PAPER QUARTER 29% 26% VERY OF THE O IMPORTANT AMOUNT OF PAPER SAME 27% 24% SOMEWHAT AMOUNT IMPORTANT OF PAPER 7% NOT NO PAPER 12% IMPORTANT AT ALL WHERE THE CUTS WILL BE MADE People have pledged to cut down on paper use before. What makes today different is that people have committed to cutting back in specific areas: oo00000 NAGAINE Will reduce use of something Will reduce Will reduce Will reduce Will reduce Will reduce Will reduce Will reduce Will reduce use of printing use of forms, contracts, and use of use of use of use of use of books use of physical mail newspapers paper magazines paper bags other toilet paper documents 60.1% 48% 47.8% | 45.9% | 44.5% 37.6% 31.6% 9.2% | 6.1% THANKS TO CHANGING CONSUMER ATTITUDES AND TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES DIGITAL WORK EASIER, AMERICA'S OFFICES FINALLY APPEAR READY TO GO PAPERLESS. Nnitro SOURCE: NITRO TNS SURVEY www.nitropdf.com