Finding The Right Document Management Workflow System Will Streamline Your Business

By Loris F. Anders


In any business, there are documentation requirements that, depending on the product or service, could be quite cumbersome. In previous years, physical pieces of paper will serve as the documents. This is to track anything that needs to be tracked by following the proper process. A computerized document management workflow system is the answer to all of these pieces of paper floating around.

If it was a small business, a single sheet of paper was created that followed the work through the plant. It might be an order form that has listed on it everything that needs to be pulled, made or done for the client. This paper would be included in the package or carried in a plastic envelope. It could get cut, ripped or dirty, even wet and become unreadable after a while. An integrated system will prevent this from happening.

The paper could be a new hire form. It will have several stops as all of the interviews, background checks and drug tests are competed and documented. It also could be a process change order. It will have many places to go, from origination through discussions and repair, modification or adjustment of the work, machine, or process.

When you are attempting to grow, you must have systems, like this, in place to allow for that growth. An automated system that helps you manage all of the things you need to manage is something that makes everything work better. Some people need to have the security of a piece of paper like they used to have. The right system will have the ability to print out whatever those people need to hold onto.

The order form can be initiated in the field and be at the office before the salesman gets back. It can accessed by the marketing department for any adjustments or follow ups, quickly. It can then be opened by the scheduling and production line personnel. All of them can see this form and make appropriate annotations for everyone else to see.

System prompts are another good thing about a system that overlooks everything, such as these. You, as well as every department, will know what comes next and when. It will also help you understand what happened that may have delayed the fulfillment if that is an issue. All of this will be available, especially critical if vendors or sales locations are across the Nation or the Globe.

You want to know what is going on in your business at every step of the way. You need to be able to be proactive in follow up with any issues that crop up. It is crucial that, to able to do this, you need to step up to the twenty first century and remove as much paper as possible throughout your facility.




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