IT Decision Makers: 'Going Paperless' is Top Initiative
Originally published on April 6, 2018.
Why Going Paperless Is a Top Initiative for Modern Businesses
Across industries, one thing is clear: paper-based processes are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. From manufacturing and field service to healthcare and construction, organizations prioritize digital transformation, and going paperless sits at the heart of that shift.
What was once considered a “nice-to-have” initiative is now a strategic move to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance compliance. Businesses are realizing that modern tools like electronic forms, digital workflows, and secure electronic signature capabilities can unlock measurable productivity and data management improvements.
Exciting metrics from MuleSoft's "What's Going Wrong with Digital Transformation" whitepaper. When asked to identify the top initiative of their business's digital transformation, IT decision makers cited "going paperless" as their primary goal.
Let’s explore why this shift is gaining momentum and what your organization can gain by ditching the clipboard.
The Problem with Paper
It’s easy to underestimate the burden of paper-based processes. They may feel familiar, but they come with hidden costs:
Manual data entry and rework
Lost or damaged paperwork
Delays in approvals and communication
Storage space and physical organization challenges
Compliance risks and audit difficulties
As workforces become more mobile and data-driven, these limitations are harder to justify. Teams need faster access to real-time information, and paper can’t keep up.
Better Data Management Starts with Digital Forms
Modern organizations rely on accurate, accessible data to drive decisions and maintain operations. But if your business is still collecting data on paper, that information is likely siloed, delayed, or error-prone.
Switching to electronic forms is the first step toward more intelligent data management. Digital forms allow users to capture information on mobile devices, enforce data validation rules, and automatically route submissions to the appropriate team or system. This real-time availability not only accelerates workflows but also improves the accuracy and traceability of your records.
Need to verify a job site inspection or equipment checklist? With digital tools, it’s just a few clicks away.
Sign From Anywhere: The Power of Electronic Signatures
Approvals are a natural bottleneck in paper-based systems. Waiting for an in-person signature or tracking down someone in the office can stall workflows. With secure electronic signature capabilities, teams can approve forms instantly from a mobile device or desktop without printing, scanning, or emailing.
Electronic signatures are also a powerful asset for compliance. Many industries require sign-offs on safety protocols, service records, or contracts, and digital signature fields help ensure those records are complete, time-stamped, and legally valid.
Cost Savings and Environmental Benefits
Going paperless isn’t just about speed; it’s about sustainability and the bottom line. By eliminating printing, storage, and manual processing, companies reduce both material costs and environmental impact. That’s why going digital is not only good for business but is also increasingly expected by stakeholders and customers.
Paperless Workflows Are the Future
Digitizing forms and approvals doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Most organizations start by transforming a few high-impact forms, such as job hazard analyses, customer intake forms, or field inspection checklists, and expand from there.
The result? Streamlined operations, improved compliance, and a happier, more agile workforce.
About GoFormz
GoFormz helps businesses go paperless with powerful digital tools. Teams can easily convert existing forms into electronic formats, capture data from any device (even offline), and enable secure electronic signatures. With robust data management features and easy integrations, GoFormz is the go-to solution for teams looking to streamline workflows and reduce paperwork.
