Document Scanning vs Digital Transformation: What’s the Difference?
Professionals generate and manage a high volume of records on a regular basis. No matter the industry or the department, every business creates hard copy and electronic documents that are vital to business operations. Data and information are the lifeblood of every company’s internal and external dealings, so it’s important to assess how we’re managing data, evaluate how much space it’s consuming, how much it’s costing us, how long we should keep it, and more.
Two processes that help organizations harness information, make it more accessible, more secure, and more cost effective are document scanning and digital transformation. While these two processes often go together, there are distinct business objectives involved with each. An organization’s information management strategy and goals for managing data in the future can determine whether a business chooses offsite document scanning services or a digital transformation plan.
What is document scanning?
A document scanning service, or a document imaging service as some call it, refers to the process of digitizing hard copy records by scanning them using industrial-grade, high quality document scanning equipment, to convert the paper files into readable and searchable electronic documents. The document scanner captures images from the hard copy record and converts it to a digital copy that can be accessed from the convenience of a desktop or mobile device.
Document scanning offers numerous benefits to businesses who want to harness data and information electronically, improve manual workflows, and transition to a digital document management strategy. Business can expect the best document scanning services to provide:
- A secure offsite document scanning facility that is HIPAA compliant
- Document preparation and scanning services followed by secure digital delivery of records
- Guaranteed quality control measured to ensure every scanned document is readable and clear
- Standard options for accessing your electronic records, including SFTP, or electronic document storage software
What is Digital Transformation?
A digital transformation strategy takes the electronic records you’ve created and integrates that data and technology into all areas of the business — including operations, human resources, and accounting — so you can leverage your data to work smarter, not harder. It ultimately changes the way your business operates by challenging “the way we’ve always done things” mentality.
Automating internal operations with workflow automation software is a key component that distinguishes digital transformation from document scanning alone. It’s about how you use that information once it’s been digitized. And while that can look different for every company, one thing is certain – the business landscape is changing, and companies will need to adapt and evolve with digital transformation or fall behind.
In summary, here are some key components of a digital transformation strategy:
- A document scanning service: A reliable, HIPAA-compliant document scanning company who offers document collection, preparation, and quality control.
- Automation workflow software: Automate the manual parts of your operations to improve cycle times, decrease costs, and increase customer satisfaction
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