Survey: how companies are tapping document management best practices
to reach their top business goals
New york--(business wire)--a majority of executives reported that their organization’s top business goal for this year is to reduce costs, closely followed by increase revenue and improve operational performance. the executives also assert that, because it positively impacts their organization’s ability to meet these goals, document process management is a priority. spending for document management activities is expected to increase or remain level during the next 12 months. these are a few of the important findings highlighted in a comprehensive survey report issued today by ocÉ business services, a leader in document process management services and technology. “the goal standard: how companies leverage document management to help meet their top business goals” examines how organizations are leveraging document management processes including mail, records and print/copy center management, managed print services (mps) and document imaging to help meet their key objectives this year and through 2012. one trend uncovered is that more than a third of the organizations surveyed outsource some or all of the document management activities included in the report. according to respondents, the strongest area for outsourcing is mail/shipping management (45%), followed by mps (40%), document imaging (37%), records management (35%) and print/copy center management (35%). the key drivers behind why organizations outsource vary by document management category. for print/copy center management, companies outsource in order to concentrate more time and resources on their core business. other reasons include: optimize the utilization of document output equipment (mps); consolidate mail/shipping activities to increase efficiency and reduce costs (mail/shipping management); and deploy a more fully implemented records management program (records management). according to the survey, the top two reasons why organizations outsource document imaging are to streamline access to data and improve the efficiency of customer service. untapped opportunities in addition to investigating budget plans, the survey also asked executives to spotlight key program implementation details for two highly-rated document management activities: mps and document imaging. the survey findings clarified untapped opportunities for both processes. mps opportunities for many companies include implementing asset management, electronically monitoring equipment and establishing user support, such as a call center. in the document imaging arena, a significant number of companies have implemented imaging on a department level (such as accounts payable). however, implementing imaging throughout the organization or on a division level represents an opportunity for many companies. “according to industry estimates, during the past few years organizations have been spending about one to three percent of their revenue on activities related to printing, copying, scanning and faxing,” said joe marciano, president and ceo, ocÉ business services. “our current and previous surveys indicate that while this spending level has not significantly changed, one thing has: companies are more aware of how better managing these document processes can help them reach their top business goals.” “the goal standard: how companies leverage document management to help meet their top business goals” is comprised of 105 online surveys completed by executives responsible for document management processes. these include c-level officers as well as directors and managers of facilities, procurement, administrative services and operations. a cross section of industries is represented including business services, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, legal, technology and others. among respondents, 45 percent work at organizations with annual revenue under $100 million, 40 percent have revenue between $100 million and $5 billion, and 15 percent have revenue over $5 billion. the full survey report is available by visiting www.obs-innovation.com. about ocÉ ocÉ is one of the leading providers of document management and printing for professionals. the ocÉ offering includes office printing and copying systems, high speed digital production printers and wide format printing systems for both technical documentation and color display graphics. ocÉ is also a foremost supplier of document management outsourcing. many of the fortune global 500 companies and leading commercial printers are ocÉ customers. the company was founded in 1877. with headquarters in venlo, the netherlands, ocÉ is active in over 100 countries and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. total revenues in financial 2010 amounted to approximately €2.7 billion. ocÉ is listed on euronext in amsterdam. for more information, visit www.oce.com. ocÉ business services provides high quality managed services and technology to manage, monitor and optimize document intensive processes so companies can improve operating efficiency and performance. ocÉ business services solutions span the document lifecycle and include records management, imaging, managed print services, mail and ediscovery. proprietary methodologies apply six sigma®. north american headquarters are in new york city and employment is about 5,000. learn more at www.obs-innovation.com or follow us on twitter. ocÉ and canon: stronger together in 2010 ocÉ joined the canon group of companies with headquarters in tokyo, japan, to create the global leader in the printing industry. canon develops, manufactures and markets a growing line-up of copying machines, printers, cameras, optical and other products that meet a diverse range of customer needs. the canon group comprises over 197,000 employees worldwide. global net sales in 2010 were more than usd 45 billion. for more information, visit www.canon.com. about canon u.s.a., inc. canon u.s.a., inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. its parent company, canon inc. (nyse:caj), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the u.s. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than us $45 billion and is listed as number six in the computer industry on fortune magazine's world’s most admired companies 2010 list. canon u.s.a. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent u.s.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. at canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. founded upon a corporate philosophy of kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – canon u.s.a. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. to keep apprised of the latest news from canon u.s.a., sign up for the company's rss news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss. †based on weekly patent counts issued by united states patent and trademark office. note: trademarks and registered trademarks contained herein remain the property of their respective owners.
