2009 Document Management Survey Report

Meeting the Challenge: How Organizations Are
Implementing Document Management Strategies
To Help Drive Business in a Tough Economy
This penetrating survey report clarifies how organizations are leveraging document management practices, such as records management and document imaging, to help meet the current economic challenges and gain a competitive edge in the eventual recovery. The survey details how organizations are looking to better manage document processes as a key strategy that can support actions they are taking, which include reducing operating expenses and improving cash flow, to survive and thrive in the days ahead.
Underwritten by:Meeting the Challenge: How Organizations Are Implementing Document Management Strategies to Help Drive Business in a Challenging Economy
Table of Contents:
3 Introduction
4 Executive Summary
6 Key Findings
17 Conclusion/Meeting the ChallengeINTRODUCTION
The global economic downturn is creating significant business challenges that are expected to extend well into next year. Some companies are implementing strategies to meet these challenges and even gain a competitive edge in the eventual recovery.
More effectively managing documents throughout their life cycle (creation through disposal) is one strategy that can help organizations meet their business goals during the downturn.
There are numerous opportunities to implement document life cycle management best practices in such areas as office print/copy operations, mail and shipping, document imaging (paper-to-digital conversion), records management, and fleet management (print/copy/fax fleet). Such moves can yield critical financial and operational gains that can help organizations navigate the turbulent business climate that is predicted to continue for some time.
Successful companies tend not only to focus on realizing such gains in document process management and other areas of the enterprise, they also leverage new approaches. Document performance management, for instance, has evolved dramatically over the past few years. New systems offer in-depth, near-real-time insight that can transform document process efficiency and drive positive return on investment. This survey report takes a close look at these issues, with a focus on how organizations are leveraging specific document management practices to help meet the business challenges ahead.
The RespondentsA total of 227 surveys were completed by executives responsible for document management processes. These include chief administrative officers, mid- and upper-level operations managers, and chief information officers. A cross-section of industries is represented, including business services, financial services, insurance, technology, and government. Among respondents, 42% work at organizations with annual revenue under $100 million, 26% have revenue between $100 million and $1 billion, and 32% have revenue of over $1 billion. Survey results reflect responses from participants at organizations with annual revenue over $100 million. Respondents were guaranteed absolute confidentiality.
© 2009 Océ 3EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In an economic climate that daily seems to underscore nature's law that only the fittest survive, what are some of the actions companies are taking to stay competitive? The majority of survey respondents indicate that the top two moves they are making include reducing operating expenses (51%) and improving cash flow (20%). More effectively managing document processes can help meet these objectives, particularly with respect to reducing operating expenses.
This survey report investigates how respondents and their organizations are leveraging five document management activities - internal and outsourced - to achieve cost reduction and cash flow goals as well as gain other important business benefits. These five document management activities include document imaging (paper-to-digital conversion), enterprise-wide print/copy, mail and shipping, records management, and fleet management (print/copy/fax fleet).
When it comes to outsourcing, a high number of respondents (74%) indicate that their company is taking this approach with at least one of the five document activities. The top three document activities that companies are outsourcing include mail and shipping (19%), print/c... [download for more]