How UK businesses are preparing for a paper-lite future come 2020
Put simply, paper-lite is about using less paper within a business and incrementally implementing a range of often simple initiatives to reduce the reliance on paper. By increasing the use of smart technology and software, the burden on paper will inevitably reduce.
The NHS has a set out dedicated objectives in order to reach its visions of becoming paper-lite by 2020. With each NHS trust spending between £500,000 and £1million per year on paper, including the cost of storing and moving it around the network, it is no surprise the move to paperless is already in progress.
However, as the world’s fifth biggest employer, the task of reducing reliance on paper is enormous. Scanning and storing a mountain of existing documents to a digital format can be both laborious and time-consuming, yet centralising paper-based and soft copy documents into one digital data source will make it quicker and easier to locate patient notes, ultimately producing huge time and cost savings.
Key predicted deliverables for the agenda include:
- Offering digital services for patients and citizens; transforming the patient experience and enabling citizens to make the right health and care choices.
- Offering digital services for professionals; providing care professionals all the information they need to make the best-informed decisions for their patients.
- Information sharing and transparency; helping patients, health professionals and commissioners to improve services and patient outcomes.
- System Leadership: The National Information Board; bringing together the NHS with local government, clinical leaders and civil society to oversee the delivery of core information priorities.
However, it is not just the NHS making steps towards a paper-lite future. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs predicts that by the year 2020, all taxpayers will be able to access everything related to their taxes, whether it is to register, pay or make an enquiry online, without the need for paper, thanks to a fully digitalised online service.
A paper-lite or even paperless business is even more achievable for smaller, independent businesses around the country. The advance of cloud computing, countless apps and IT services readily available to businesses is making it more and more straightforward to eliminate the circulation of paper in your business.
For example, a Midlands’ based recruitment agency is at the forefront of the paperless revolution and has been for close to a decade, winning a Green Apple Award for environmental best practice and sustainable development in 2009 for the company’s decision to introduce electronic invoicing and timesheets.
At Karlson, our aim is to help companies become paper-lite, by offering innovative solutions to reduce the reliance on paper. Not only can this significantly reduce operating costs, it can improve security phenomenally with the correct use of encrypted data. Get in contact to see how we could support your business in a move towards a paper-lite future, or browse our case study collection to see for yourself how Karlson can transform your business processes.
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