IBM i & Power Systems - Reduce Paper Use, Increase Productivity

In spite of many technological advances such as the internet, scanners, e-books and digital cameras, paper documents still play an indispensable role in the modern office.  It has been predicted that by 2020 the global paper consumption will reach 500 million tons per year.  A half of this volume is consumed in Europe and North America alone.  Some paper statistics that provide a deeper insight into this problem:

·       The average office worker continues to use a staggering 10,000 sheets of copy paper every year.

·       In the U.S., companies spend more than $120 billion a year on printed forms, most of which outdate themselves within three months’ time.

·       A typical employee spends 30-40% of his time looking for information locked in email and filing cabinets – filing costs average about $20 per month.

·       Each misfiled document costs $125. Each lost document cost $350 to $700 – large organizations lose a document every 12 seconds.

While the technology for going paperless is readily available, the rate of adoption for these tools and this system is quite low. Software plays an important role in a paperless office.  Software programs manage the huge quantity of digital files that an office can produce during the transition to paperless.  Some of the different types of document management tools available from inFORM Decisions that can be utilized to eliminate paper processes are as follows:

Spool files to Digital forms

System i and Power Systems NATIVE PCL to PDF converter for Spool Files.  iPDF converts standard HP Laserjet output (Printer Control Language) into the popular Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). IBM native conversion eliminates the need to download to a PC (or secondary server) to process PDF files, thus improving security and speed of PDF document conversion. Much more than a simple conversion tool, iPDF enables report distribution, PDF document archival and retrieval, bursting, sorting and outputting PDF reports and custom business forms in the open PDF standard where they can be easily viewed using the free Acrobat Reader.

E-mail

Email has had the biggest impact, allowing communications to become electronic with the ability to attach digital documents. Our iMail product is an example. This is very suitable for lmost business correspondence with the ability to  format spool file reports into popular formats like Excel, color PDF, HTML, ZIP, RTF and more.  iMail provides much more than simple email delivery. From your AS/400, iSeries, IBM i, and Power Server, you can send messages, business documents and spool file reports in easily readable formats. iMail enables organizations to upgrade to a paperless environment, saving time and money due to more efficient document management and distribution.

Workflow

Sharing business documents such as sales or supplier contracts that require controlled access on an ad-hoc basis can be accomplished by use of versatile tools like iWorkflow  which provides the ability to take any business process, and create a digital copy.  A digital workflow allows you to streamline business processes and route documents throughout the organization.  Managers now have a looking glass into any process, and readily accessible reporting and metrics. Workflow business apps help you streamline your business processes — expense claims, customer onboarding, travel requests or any other organizational business workflow. Using workflow, data, forms and report  are connected to the authorized parties providing efficiency and productivity.

Document Capture and Scanning

Scanners are one of the most essential tools for a paperless office. They can convert paper documents into digital files, which are then ready for mass distribution over an email system rather than through paper memos. Large-format scanners can convert blueprints, contracts and other large documents into digital files. In addition, high-speed scanners can quickly scan multipage documents, or even books, eliminating the need to store the paper copies.

 With an array of scanning devices, capture needs and backend content management systems, it is ineffective to settle for multiple applications to accomplish one goal. iCapture  provides a single capture platform that can meet all the needs of an organization: document scanning and import, forms processing, data capture, OCR/ICR, data extraction and the ability to migrate the information into a backend. The iCapture  advanced capture system enhances the capabilities of any scanning device, providing a powerful onramp to any Enterprise Content Management (ECM) or Document Management Systems (DMS).

Mobile Signature Capture

With iSign  documents are efficiently captured, stored, secured and backed up with peace of mind that they can’t be damaged or accessed by flood, fire or bad guys with bad intentions.  Documents can be easily retrieved or routed through a web browser, from any location at any time.

Document Storage & Retrieval

iView  is the Web-based Content Management Solution for the iSeries, System i and Power Systems  native document archive – retrieval solution performing content management functions to enable the capture, storage, indexing and retrieval of spool files, merged documents and scanned forms so they are accessible via a web browser by anyone, anywhere, anytime.  iCapture extends iView’s capture, indexing and storage capabilities to hard copy documents for a complete browser-accessible repository.

Since 1994, inFORM Decisions has been a Document Automation provider specializing in state of the art Document Automation solutions for the IBM i - iSeries - AS/400 arena. We are committed to the IBM i iSeries AS/400 platform forever!

Call (800) 858-5544 / (949) 709-5838 or visit us at www.informdecisions.com for more information about our acclaimed suite of products and see how we can help you reduce paper, increase productivity and lower your costs.

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All things about iSign - the solution allows users digitally to capture signatures on iSeries forms

What is iSign?

iSign, a product of inFORM Decisions, has the ability to digitally capture signatures on iSeries forms, apply these electronic signatures to any business documents, digitally load these signed documents into  any third Document Management System or a document storage and retrieval product.

iSign is good?

iSign is good for those who move forward a paperless office because you can avoid the need for a paper print process when iSign allows users to sign any business documents from invoices, forms, to reports with a mobile device.

Thanks to the ability to digitally load these signed documents into a document storage and retrieval product such iView or any third Document Management System, iSign helps users to protect their business documents more safely. Users can now retrieve documents anytime, anywhere, which makes the paperless transition a breeze.

Also, users only need a stylus or fingertips to e- sign instead of any special hardware.

Want to know how  iSign acts? Watch this video…

Want to know about iSign? Read the article…

Want to know about other powerful iSeries products like iSign? Read the article..

Tags: as400 excel, sharepoint scanning, ocr solutions

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How does signature capture work?

In the previous article, I have shown  the benefits of signature capture. Now I mention how does signature capture work.

In fact, the process of capturing a signature is not too difficult. Firstly, you need a web- or Java-capable mobile device. Using it, you can capture a signature on the spot and apply it to any documents.

Electronically signed documents can  be accessed via point-n-click from any web browser, anytime, anywhere, and retrieved from any green-screen ERP package  by command. This means that access to the document is right at your fingertips.

In addition, users can easily share and distribute documents via fax or email anytime. You can also store those documents digitally for archival for future retrieval.

IBM i users can do above things. It means that you can electronically sign, merge with the spool file data, and secure documents on your IBM i. You can also design the form, locate the signature on the form, define the spool or database file to merge with, and provide a way to email, fax, or route the document appropriately. Furthermore, you  merge signature with multiple documents thanks to conditional instructions.

iSign from informdecisions.com is really a good solution for signature capture. You can read more things about iSign by checking the following link out:

http://www.informdecisions.com/isign/#.VfwWd9Kqqko

Tags: as400 excel, sharepoint scanning, ocr solutions

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A guide to electronic signatures for beginners

It can be said that an electronic signature is replacing paper-based one. First of all, It is like its paper equiv­alent and a legal concept including the following components: a method of signing, user authentica­tion, data authentication, and capture of intent.

You have probably heard about both digital and electronic signatures. You are also probably wondering what’s the difference.

A digital signature refers to the encryption / decryption technology that protects data and retains the identity of the signer. It's like a barcode to establish the authenticity of information.

While electronic signatures include “an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and used as the legal equivalent of a written signature”, according to U.S. Federal ESIGN Law.

Basically, electronic signatures is capturing the electronic validation while digital signatures are more machine-based.

Now you are probably wondering why your business should adopt electronic signatures.

In short, electronic signatures are faster, more efficient, addressed legal compliance and limits liability. They also cut operational costs and are green. This means that  tons of paper documents will be saved. So, They save more than just money. It is also good for those moving toward a paperless office.

Thus, electronic signatures help businesses move faster. They also allow  large and small organizations alike to reduce errors and costs in all the administrative tasks.

If you want to adopt electronic signatures, however, you  still need to find out a few important aspects such as security considerations, the legal implications of using e-signing, and how they can improve the overall customer satisfaction in your particular area of interest.

iSign is a great tool to handle the high efficiency of electronic signatures.

iSign can digitally capture signatures from any mobile device loaded with a Java-enabled Web browser and then apply these electronic signatures to any business document.

Tags:  what is ap automation, as400 excel, sharepoint scanning 

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Why do we should use iSign?

What is iSign?

iSign is a product of inFORM Decisions. It has the ability to digitally capture signatures, apply these electronic signatures to any business documents, digitally load these signed documents into  a document storage and retrieval product or  any third Document Management System. 

Why do we should use iSign?

To be honest, iSign provides a lot of benefits.

Firstly, iSign is good for those who move forward a paperless office. 

Namely, with iSign,  any business documents from invoices, forms, to reports can be signed with a mobile device. Thanks to iSign, the need for a paper print process can be avoided. 

Secondly, iSign helps you to protect your business documents more safely. Namely, iSign has the ability to digitally load these signed documents into a document storage and retrieval product such iView or any third Document Management System. Thus, you can retrieve the documents whenever and wherever. It means your important business documents no longer can be damaged or stolen by someone. 

With iSign, you do not any special hardware to e-sign. All you need a stylus or fingertips. 

Source: inFORM Decisions

Tags: as 400 reports, as/400 reports, as400 email spool file 

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Who e-signs?

Probably you are wondering whether mobile signing is good or not. Or you and your business are considering that mobile signatures can improve productivity and efficiency. The most important thing is that you want to know who e-signs when the legality of mobile signatures is a big question for you.

Here are some cases. They are famous companies or advisors who use mobiles or tablets to e-sign.

US Army personnel

They use iPads to sign order ammunition and task orders  in the field.

RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)’s mobile retirement advisors

To sign account opening paperwork, these advisor use iPads and a mobile signature solution. Thanks to e-signing, they do not have to complete the process in 3 visits on paper. Now, they can complete the process in a visit. Royal Bank of Canada estimates about $8 million in administrative costs yearly will be saved while its error rates has been reduced by 75%.

Le Grand Hôpital de Charleroi

The Belgian hospital uses a mobile signature solution on smartphones  in order to have  approvals shortened and delivery of mission critical supplies speeded up. It is said that every year the hospital serves over  400,000 annual patient consultations. It has  4,400 employers and 5 sites.

BMW Financial Services

Staffs working at BMW Financial Services use iPads at the dealership with the aim of having customers e-sign their retail finance contracts as well as end of lease agreements.

inFORM Decision is proud of proving a powerful mobile signature solution named iSign for any business and any individual. Contact us at 800-858-5544 to get more about iSign as well as other solutions that can improve productivity.

Tags: spool file to pdf, as/400 form, convert spool to pdf 

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inFORM Decisions’ IBM i document automation solutions and how they improve your business processes

iCapture, iSign, iDocs, iDocs Designer and iView are inFORM Decisions’ IBM i document automation solutions. They are ideal for  those who want to business processes. Let’s discover how these solutions can help. 

They allow you to digitally archive and retrieve documents, which helps you to reduce paper-based storage and the costs associated with misplaced documents. 

With these solutions, invoices, contacts, mail and other paper-based documents  are captured and then easily converted into into searchable PDFs. Then, these PDFs can be routed effortlessly into the organization. 

inFORM Decisions’ IBM i document automation solutions enable documents  to be routed electronically, reducing  the amount of time associated with manually shuffling documents around your office for approvals. 

With these solutions, signing digital documents electronically  helps you  to eliminate the need for physical paper and improve the time to invoice. 

For more information, contact inFORM Decisions at 800-858-5544, email info@informdecisions.com or visit us online at www.informdecisions.com.

Tags: iseries excel, AS400 excel, AS/400 excel,

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Signatures: Electronic vs. Digital. Understanding inFORM Decisions' iSign technology

Electronic signatures and digital signatures are quite different, though their similar names would suggest otherwise.

A digital signature is encrypted security technology that protects data and retains the identity of the signer. It's like a barcode to establish the authenticity of information.

Electronic signatures, however, consist of “an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and used as the legal equivalent of a written signature”, according to U.S. Federal ESIGN Law.

So the former is more machine-based, while the latter is basically capturing the electronic validation that, not too long ago, only a human's handwritten signature would provide.

iSign is a great tool to handle the high efficiency of electronic signatures.

iSign makes it possible to digitally capture signatures from any mobile device loaded with a Java-enabled Web browser. You can then apply these electronic signatures to any business document.

Also, iSign allows users to upload these signed documents onto a third-party Document Management System or a document storage and retrieval product. With this sort of dynamic functionality, you can retrieve these files anytime, anywhere. Contact inFORM Decisions for more information, at 800-858-5544.

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Tags: discovery document solutions, As400 excel, OCR Solutions

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Top 4 security features to find in an e-signature solution

If you understand the benefits of electronic signatures, you are probably looking for a good e-signature solution. You also know that security features in an e-signature solution are critical. Thus, let’s discover best security features to find in the e-signature solution.

User authentication

The user authentication is the process of ensuring that only authorized users can sign a document.

Data authentication

The data authentication is the method of validating the information contained in signed documents to ensure that they have not been changed since they were being signed.

Process control

Workflow rules can control electronic or online transactions in order to decrease the risk of non-compliance as well as errors.

Process evidence

The process evidence is important because this method can prove exactly what happened at every stage of the document review and signing process.

A suggested electronic signature solution

iSign makes it possible to digitally capture signatures from any mobile device loaded with a Java-enabled Web browser and apply these electronic signatures to any business documents.  Also, iSign allows to digitally load these signed documents into any third Document Management System or a document storage and retrieval product. More importantly, you can retrieve them anytime anywhere. All you need is iSign.

Contact inFORM Decisions for more information, at 800-858-5544.

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Tags: As400 excel, What is AP Automation, as400 print to pdf, As400 scan

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Go Paperless with iSign

The benefits of a paperless office can not be denied. By going paperless, you can eliminate the need for mass storage and retrieval of paper. Thanks to digital backups of documents, the risk of losing important business data is limited. In addition, you can access business information in a click within enterprise software.

iSign, a mobile signature capture solution from  inFORM Decisions (http://www.informdecisions.com/), really makes going paperless easier than ever.

Firstly, iSign has the ability to digitally capture signatures from iPads, iPhones, Androids, and other Java-supported devices and apply these signatures to any business documents. Obviously, the electronic capture process means the reduced need of using paper. Secondly, you can limit the risk of losing important business data because iSign digitally loads these signed documents into a retrieval solution or any third Document Management System.

Contact inFORM Decisions at 800-858-5544 for a discovery call and competitive pricing or visit us online at http://www.informdecisions.com.

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Tags: As400 excel, as400 print to pdf

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Video about inFORM Decisions’s iSign

iSign is a mobile signature capture solution from inFORM Decisions.

The digital solution enables businesses to capture signatures from iPads, iPhones, Android and other Java-supported devices. It applies perfectly legal signatures to any business document, from invoices, forms, and even reports. iSign also allows users to upload these signed documents onto any third-party Document Management System, or a document storage and retrieval product. You can now retrieve documents anytime, anywhere, which makes the paperless transition a breeze. Want to know how iSign? Watch this video... Contact inFORM Decisions at 800-858-5544 for a discovery call and competitive pricing, or visit us online at http://www.informdecisions.com.

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Challenges of using electronic signatures for organizations

As you are aware, using electronic signatures is good for you business. However, not all organizations choose the methods because of some reasons. In fact, those reasons are not too important. Let’s see what they are.

Fear of technology

Technology can be a fear for most companies when they don’t have IT engineers. They think if there are some something wrong related electronic signature solutions like iSign, they can not deal with them. However, a lot electronic signature capture solutions are really easy to use.

The legality of electronic signatures

Do electronic signatures have legal values eviquents to signed paper documents? It is a common question that a lot of organizations ask.  Do not worry because electronic signatures are legally enforceable in the EU and the US. However, there is a huge challenge for those who want to use electronic signatures if their staffs do not understand clearly about EU and US electronic signature laws. The reason is that those laws can make them confused.

The security of electronic signatures

A lot of organizations are prudent  to use electronic signatures because they or their partners may think that electronically signed documents are forged. The reason is that the authenticity of physically witnessing someone's signature with a pen and paper can not be replaced by  electronic signatures.

iSign, IBM i native Mobile Signature Capture, allows electronic signatures to be captured by using any tablet or mobile device that is web or java and signed documents can now be easily retrieved or routed through a web browser anywhere any time.

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Is using electronic signatures a good idea for your business ?

An electronic signature is a way to attach an encoded signature to an electronic document like a sale agreement. A lot of electronic signatures work with encryption technology so that there is nobody except you who can use your unique encryption on any electronic document. Like all technological advancements, they have pros and cons. But now let’s see why they are a good idea.

Electronic signatures are replacing ink signatures in several industries.

Time and money savings

Electronic signatures eliminate the need for postage, ink, paper and storage space. They also help you have time and labor saving because the number of trips to printers, mailboxes and storage files is fewer. With electronic signatures, distributing signed documents is easier when you can send to multiple recipients. It is said that your business’s efficiency can be improved thanks to electronic signatures. 

Security

Electronic signatures can reduce the risk of documents being copied, read, destroyed, replaced, and edited or the risk of signatures being forged. Generally, they are more secure than ink signatures. 

Flexibility

Electronic signatures gain flexibility. For example, iSign, IBM i native Mobile Signature Capture, allows electronic signatures be captured by using using any tablet or mobile device that is web or java and signed documents can now be easily retrieved or routed through a web browser anywhere anytime. 

Above are some main benefits of using electronic signatures. The most important thing here is to choose the right signature capture solution for your organization to take advantages of electronic signatures’ pros.

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Popular keywords: as400 print to pdf, OCR Solutions, SharePoint Scanning, As400 software

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iSign- An IBM i-based signature capture solution for mobile devices

As an HTML-based app that lets users capture signatures from the comfort of smartphones or tablets, iSign, one of inFORM Decisions’s iSeries products, makes the concept of paper and a pen more unfamiliar.

In fact, this mobile electronic signature capture solution enables to digitally capture signatures from any mobile device loaded with a Java-enabled Web browser and apply these 100% legal signatures to any business documents from invoices, forms, to reports. 

In addition, iSign allows to digitally load these signed documents into any third Document Management System or a document storage and retrieval product of inFORM Decisions called iView. Importantly, the documents can be retrieved by anyone, anytime and anywhere. With iSign, you no longer worry that your important business documents can be damaged or stolen by someone. 

With these benefits, we can not deny the strength of iSign.

Visit www.informdecisions.com or contact inFORM Decisions at 800.858.5544 to get further information about all iSign's benefits and features.

Other products: As400 excel, iSeries scan, iSeries barcode

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What IBM iSeries products should you use to create a paperless office?

With the following IBM iSeries products, a paperless office will be created. They not only improve productivity but also help you to move towards a more efficient office. 

iCapture 

With this iSeries document capture software, invoices, contracts, mail and other paper-based documents can be easily converted into searchable PDFs and routed effortlessly into the organization. You can read more about iCapture in the article: 

http://iseriesibm.blogspot.com/2014/12/3-benefits-of-document-capture-software.html

iView 

iView reduces paper-based storage by allowing you to access to all your files. 

iWorkflow 

With iWorkflow, your business processes can be tracked, analyzed and improved these processes. 

iSign 

iSign enables digital documents to be delivered for signature on a device with a browser. 

If your dream is a paperless office and you want to get rid of paper, choose these powerful IBM iSeries products.

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10 powerful iSeries products of inFORM Decisions

It is no doubt that iSeries, an IBM's midrange server line designed for small businesses and departments in large enterprises, brings a lot of benefits. However, there is a problem that there are a lot of options when many IBM iSeries products are offered out there. 

If you are looking to these products, you will realize that many companies providing iSeries products boast their powerful integration capabilities. However, you do not know whether these benefits are real and make sure that these iSeries products are really good for your business. And in fact, you cannot compare iSeries products to find best ones because they have their own advantages. 

However, you may love using a suite of iSeries products. If so, I would like recommend a powerful suite of iSeries products of inFORM Decisions including 10 powerful iSeries products. 

1. iDocs: The Nerve Center for inFORM’s Powerful Document Automation

2. iDocs Designer: A powerful user-friendly forms designer for multi-platform environments

3. iForms: iSeries laser form generation for the IBM i

4. Smart Router: Rules-Based Processing and Distribution for iSeries – System i Spool Files

5. iMail: iMail Spool File Report and Form Management

6. iFax: iFax Spool File Report and Form Management

7. iPDF : The Native PCL to PDF Converter

8. iCapture: Feature-rich, affordable document capture and scanning solution

9. iView: Web-based Content Management Solution for the iSeries, System i and Power Systems

10. iSign: IBM i native Mobile Signature Capture

These powerful iSeries products have their own features and advantages. In fact, to list all things, it takes much time because you cannot image that they have a ton of benefits. However, all iSeries products of inFORM Decisions are designed to help improve your business process and make your iSeries environment more efficient. They have an easy-to-use interface and powerful integration capabilities. 

To get further details about all benefits of these products, you can visit this site: http://www.informdecisions.com/ibm-iseries-products/

After reading information on the site, you can find that those products are better than others in the same sector. Share your comments about them to help people understand more.

Author: Sharah - inFORM Decisions

Keywords: AP Automation, as400 scan

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