E-Forms Benefits

* Reduced number of preprinted forms and related purchasing process

costs.

* Reduced storage, warehouse and distribution costs associated with

paper form waste.

* Reduced paper mailing, distribution, shipping and handling costs.

* Ability to collect data at the source and eliminate duplicate data collection

and data entry.

* Ability to only collect data that is mandated or that adds value;

eliminate costs of collecting data that is never or seldom used.

* Reduced errors and error-correction costs by offering editing and validation

at point of entry.

* Use of electronic workflow's parallel-processing capabilities to

shorten processing cycles.

* Reduced training costs by embedding business rules, policies and procedures

in e-forms.

* Decreased costs of forms design and maintenance through the use of

forms software, design and data standards.

* Automated redundant completion tasks and use automated fill fields

to reduce form-completion time.

Source: State of Wisconsin Enterprise E-Forms Standards Team, Department

of Information Technology

—Tracy Mayor is a Beverly, Mass.-based free-lance writer specializing in

information technology.