Benefits of paperless technology can include dramatic increases in efficiency, quality, service, governance, compliance, and knowledge protection. Yet in spite of the above benefits, major industry studies find that the vast majority of organizations have made minimal progress towards becoming paper-free and a significant number have not even started yet. Conversely, many organizations have deployed paperless technology in an inconsistent bubble up fashion, without proper planning and have created serious operational, litigation, regulation compliance, and audit issues. This paper will discuss: reasons, we at CRE8 Independent Consultants, believe are responsible for the delayed or incorrect implementation of paperless technologies and how the “process” of paperless technology planning, budget, implementation, and measurement can be improved through use of process improvement methods such as Continuous Process Improvement, Business Process Management, Re-engineering, LEAN, and Six Sigma. To illustrate these benefits, at the end of the white paper, case studies are presented and a high level end user planning checklist is provided. This white paper is updated as of 07/05/2015.

1. PAPERLESS TECHNOLOGY AND
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT WHITE PAPER
BY GEORGE DUNN, PRESIDENT CRE8 INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS
(206) 257-7347
CONSULTING@CREINC.COM
WWW.CRE8INC.COM

2. CRE8 PAPERLESS TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT WHITE PAPER
1993-2015 CRE8 INC. INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS WWW.CRE8INC.COM
PAGE - 2
ABOUT THE WHITE PAPER
Benefits of paperless technology can include dramatic increases in efficiency, quality, service, governance,
compliance, and knowledge protection. Yet in spite of the above benefits, major industry studies find that the vast
majority of organizations have made minimal progress towards becoming paper-free and a significant number
have not even started yet. Conversely, many organizations have deployed paperless technology in an inconsistent
bubble up fashion, without proper planning and have created serious operational, litigation, regulation
compliance, and audit issues.
This paper will discuss: reasons, we at CRE8 Independent Consultants, believe are responsible for the delayed or
incorrect implementation of paperless technologies and how the “process” of paperless technology planning,
budget, implementation, and measurement can be improved through use of process improvement methods such
as Continuous Process Improvement, Business Process Management, Re-engineering, LEAN, and Six Sigma.
To illustrate these benefits, at the end of the white paper, case studies are presented and a high level end user
planning checklist is provided. This white paper is updated as of 07/05/2015.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr. George J. Dunn, Founder and President of CRE8 www.cre8inc.com is a worldwide recognized consultant,
speaker, instructor and author on business process innovation (Lean, Six Sigma, BPM, Re-engineering, CPI, TQM),
paperless technology planning and computer system replacement planning. He holds certifications in numerous
process improvement methodologies (TQM, BPM, LEAN, Six Sigma, Workflow) and has successfully designed
paperless systems from 25 to over 25,000 users, across numerous vendor platforms. He has served in executive
and leading roles with CRE8 Incorporated, GTE Corporation, Wang Labs, ASA International, and KPMG Peat
Marwick. He is a past advisor to AIIM worldwide workflow standards committees, Director of Education/Board
Member for numerous AIIM chapters, a presenter for worldwide AIIM webinars and a subject matter expert
author/blogger for Document Strategy Forum, AIIM and ARMA.
CRE8 INCORPORATED
CORPORATE OFFICE Mailing Address
936 N 34th Street, Suite 400, 12819 SE 38th
PMB29
Seattle, WA 98103 Bellevue, WA 98006
(206) 257-7347
www.cre8inc.com
consulting@cre8inc.com
CRE8 Independent Consultants provides:
 process improvement consulting www.cre8inc.com/consulting/process
 paperless technology planning consulting www.cre8inc.com/consulting/paperless
 complex computer replacement planning consulting www.cre8inc.com/consulting/complex and
 LEAN, Six Sigma, Agile, BPM and paperless technology training, exam prep/certification and PDU
www.cre8inc.com/workshops

3. CRE8 PAPERLESS TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT WHITE PAPER
1993-2015 CRE8 INC. INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS WWW.CRE8INC.COM
PAGE - 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About the white paper 2
 About the white paper 2
 About the author 2
Introduction
 Why is process improvement important when planning 4
for paperless technologies
 Disclaimer and copyright 6
Introduction to paperless technologies 7
 Capture 7
 Recognition 8
 Signature 8
 Electronic content management (ECM) 8
 Workflow 9
 Electronic Records Management (ERM) 9
Introduction to process improvement methodologies 10
 Continuous process improvement (CPI) 10
 Business process management (BPM) 11
 Re-engineering 11
 LEAN 12
 Six Sigma 13
 How to decide which process improvement method is right for your project 14
Conclusion 15
Appendix 1 - Case studies 16
 Kaizen and paperless technology planning 16
 LEAN and digital signatures 18
 Six Sigma and electronic content management (ECM) 21
 Re-engineering and workflow 24
Appendix 2 – Takeaway Checklist
 High level paperless technology and process improvement checklist 27

4. CRE8 PAPERLESS TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT WHITE PAPER
1993-2015 CRE8 INC. INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS WWW.CRE8INC.COM
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