Digital technologies are taking over the planet, creating major structural transformations that are changing the world of business and enhancing the drive towards environmental sustainability and climate action.
Moreover, consumers expect the brands they support to be socially and environmentally responsible to the point where they’re willing to pay more for products and services. Due to heightened social consciousness, customers are more invested in socio-environmental issues such as health, climate change, and inequality. As such, they seek out brands that share the same values, making corporate sustainability a competitive differentiator.
However, making changes to existing business practices can be challenging. Fortunately, technologies are emerging to help the business world address certain aspects of going green. One technology, in particular, can help every company green its operations.
Let’s talk about Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS).
Boosting Sustainability with Electronic Document Management
EDMS is a software system that securely handles the creation, storage, sharing, and control of documents electronically. So how exactly does such a system help businesses go green?
- Reduce print – Paper document management and archiving can be resource-intensive and thus expensive. An EDMS system handles all documentation electronically, reducing the need to print any documents. Reducing the usage of paper in the office supports responsible forest management and reduces your company’s environmental footprint.
- Reduce waste – Most companies print more than they need. Using less paper reduces the amount of waste your business produces, lessening the amount of material waste sent to landfills. Considering it takes 1,000 years for a printer cartridge to decompose, any lessening of such waste is bound to make a huge impact.
- Reduce costs – Printing and filing cost money, labor, and electricity, making them a costly part of doing business. An EDMS system reduces the need for printing as well as the need for file cabinets, boxes, and storage space. Also, when your need for paper and toner diminishes, so does your need for tech support to address print services.
- Improved productivity – When document storage is automated, it makes it easier to spot mistakes and correct them. Document searching and retrieval are also more efficient with an EDMS system, saving your business time that could be redirected to more productive endeavors.
Sustainability is the Next Normal
New technologies are changing business practices, forcing companies to look inwards in order to adapt to the new normal. The companies that adopt sustainable innovations like EDMS will define the world of business in years to come.
