How can a cross-functional EDM ensure continuity of service?
Changes in working methods in recent years, and the health crisis of recent months, have accelerated the digitalization of companies, with the introduction of new-generation solutions such as cross-functional EDM and artificial intelligence.
What do we really know about these new technologies?
New working methods driving a digital revolution
Over the past few years, working methods and business processes have changed. And this evolution has taken on new impetus with the arrival of the health crisis in March 2020. Remote working, telecommuting and the customer experience have gained a prominent place in the workplace.
These changes are causing upheavals in the way employees work. And despite all this, we must continue to :
- ensure data accessibility for all, even when working from home ;
- strengthen collaboration between remote teams ;
- while continuing to respond to customer requests.
To ensure business continuity, we need to reinvent ourselves, and above all, we need to digitize. Today, companies have no choice but to turn to digital technology and equip themselves with software solutions that support them in managing their processes. According to an IDC survey of 50 major French companies, 92% of decision-makers believe that the current health crisis is accelerating digital transformation. The objectives are to :
- better satisfy customer expectations (for 83% of respondents) ;
- adapt to new working methods (64%) ;
- and finally, to gain in productivity (60%).
💡 To achieve this, collaboration, dematerialization and EDM solutions exist. And to take things a step further, we can even talk about cross-functional EDM and artificial intelligence.
How does cross-functional EDM meet the challenges facing companies in 2021?
Electronic document management (EDM) needs no introduction! For several years now, this type of solution has been at the forefront of the market:
- reducing document management costs,
- improved data traceability,
- productivity... the stakes and advantages are numerous for companies.
But with the evolution of work methods and the new organization of companies, a standard EDM is no longer enough. A cross-functional ED M is more appropriate in 2021, and will be just as much so in the years to come.
Let's find out why.
Standardized processes for all
By cross-functional EDM, we mean across all company departments. In other words, a single tool is needed for document management in all departments: administration, accounting, human resources, invoicing, etc. Information is centralized, making it easier for everyone to work together. Information is centralized, enabling processes to be standardized. This centralization also makes document retrieval much easier for all employees.
A better vision for greater collaboration
Connected to all the company's departments and systems (ERP, CRM, etc.), the cross-functional EDM is also a real collaborative tool. By choosing to share a single solution between all the company's departments, you strengthen collaboration between the different teams. With information centralized at a single point, it circulates more efficiently , and employees have a cross-functional view of the information available.
⚠ ️ Of course, there's the security side to consider. The management of rights and authorizations is an essential aspect to consider when implementing this type of solution.
Secondly, teamwork helps to reduce the number of errors, as exchanges are encouraged. Teams save time in their day-to-day work, and the company improves its productivity and efficiency.
During the health crisis, companies already equipped with a cross-functional EDM solution were able to continue their day-to-day activities, such as :
- validating invoices electronically and paying suppliers on time ;
- or accessing their customers' files and maintaining a close relationship with them.
Implementing a cross-functional EDM is therefore inevitable, but not an end in itself. Opting for a cross-functional EDM also means taking a step towards greater digitalization, and embracing the digital developments that are taking hold in the BtoB sector, such as artificial intelligence.
A cross-functional EDM and beyond?
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a technological advance that has been around for almost 50 years. In 2021, this technology has been fully democratized and is affecting a wide range of sectors, both BtoC and BtoB. Today, artificial intelligence technologies are considered to have a real impact on a company's objectives and productivity.
Take the case of dematerialization and EDM solutions.
Integrating AI into this type of software is a real step forward for companies. Here are two examples:
- Integrated into the search engine of an EDM solution, AI enables so-called predictive search. This means that the user is guided step by step in his search by the AI, in order to refine his search and also to be more efficient.
- AI can also be used to classify document content and, above all, to analyze the data present in your EDM. This complementarity between EDM and AI makes the solution more powerful, intelligent and, above all, perfectly adapted to the expectations of today's and tomorrow's users.
By 2021, 22% of companies will be using AI to automate all or part of their document processes. Just 2 years ago, only 5% of companies were using this technology.
Étude MARKESS
For the years to come, digitalization is no longer a question to be asked, it 's a priority for companies wishing to remain efficient.
Equipping themselves with the right tools, such as a cross-functional EDM, must become a reflex for managers if they wish to ensure continuity of their services, whatever the situation. To achieve this, enlisting the support of industry experts like Axess and their NEXIA solution (next-generation cross-functional EDM available in SaaS mode) is the best way to ensure the success of your digital projects.
Promotional article. Expert contributors are authors independent of the Appvizer editorial team. Their comments and positions are their own.
Article translated from French