2021 trends in document management software focus on accessibility, efficiency, and automation, enabling companies to adapt to the age of remote work amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Remote work was becoming more popular before COVID-19 brought it to center stage, but there’s no denying that it surged when the pandemic hit. According to Statista’s remote work data, the percentage of employees working five or more days from home increased from 17% to 44% after the pandemic. And there’s no doubt that the remote workforce – or, in the least, the hybrid workforce – is here to stay.
On-premise work is likely to look a little different in a post-pandemic world. Blended schedules of in-office and home-office days, fully remote employees, and geographically dispersed teams bring new opportunities of freedom – and talent acquisition – to corporate America. However, they also bring increased demands for flexible work schedules and digital tools for collaboration.
So, what can companies do to empower their teams with remote-friendly tools and prepare for the future of digital work? That’s easy! Document management software brings the ideal balance of automation and collaboration for efficiency and accessibility—regardless of where employees are working.
Here are some document management trends taking hold in 2021 and beyond:
1. Enhanced Collaboration
Despite Zoom-fatigue, collaborative technology has saved several businesses, and industries, over the past year. It’s no surprise, then, that companies are turning to technology that doubles as a center for collaboration and a digital repository for critical documentation.
This year will bring widespread adoption of platforms that connect and empower teams with advanced workflow automation. These tools – once considered amenities – are now imperative to streamline operations. In a world where location no longer matters, companies will want a platform that brings cost-savings and collaboration across time zones. Thus, the adoption of collaborative tools is one document management trend for 2021 that you won’t want to ignore.
2. ROI-Boosting Automation
Automation isn’t just for Fortune 500s, especially when it comes to document management in 2021. With the recent push for accessibility, intelligent records management tools are available to companies of all sizes. Over the past few years, large-scale adoption of document management practices has driven prices down and ROI up.
And customization is likely a factor in this increase in ROI. Many document management solutions can be customized to meet your exact needs. Top vendors take characteristics like industry, organization size, and number of employees into account when supplying companies with document management and workflow automation software. Shop around before you settle on the right platform for your needs; the cost-value analysis is firmly in your favor.
3. Migration Toward the Cloud
Confidentiality is critical to successfully managing sensitive documents. From floods to lost files, physical storage is far riskier than digital filing cabinets. With document-level security options, encryptions, two-factor authentication, and more, the cloud is a fortress for your data and files.
And, not to mention, it proves beneficial for the growing remote workforce. The cloud allows employees to quickly access business documents from anywhere, at any time—without putting confidential information at risk. That’s why more and more companies are shifting away from on-premise document management solutions and toward cloud-based document management ones in 2021.
When following this trend and vetting a document management partner, be sure to ask about their data security features, automated backup capabilities, and digital archiving.
Finding the Right Partner in 2021
At MetaSource, we have deep expertise in a variety of on-premise and cloud-based document management solutions. We work closely with clients to identify key needs and customize solutions to fit the demands of their remote offices. Whether you’re looking for collaborative assistance or cross-departmental workflow automation, we can help you navigate your options and implement a solution that will cut costs, boost productivity, and connect your workforce in 2021 and beyond.