Business process improvement to come from intelligent document automation

The company, which has some 5,000 customers, including BIC, Electrolux, Motorola and France Telecom, is best known for its ‘outbound’ document systems – handling imaging, archiving, retrieval and print automation. Its existing software operates with packaged ERP systems like Oracle, SAP, QAD and Epicor. But the new system will go considerably further. Optio managing director David Moody (ex QAD) says that it will extend its offering in two fundamental ways. First it will look after the ‘inbound’ side of receiving, scanning, imaging, archiving, data extraction and retrieval of electronic and printed documents from customers, suppliers and trading partners. But second – and most important – it will also be capable of automating the workflow and business processes involved through intelligent document handling and application integration. Optio technical manager Tim Woodward says it’s all about rethinking business processes that are typically taken for granted. In effect, this is applying lean thinking to document management, with the emphasis on redefining ‘waste’ in the business transactions trail (paper and electronic), and stripping it out using smart systems and automation. Woodward is presenting a paper on the concept and Optio’s systems approach at the Documation UK Show at Olympia 2 in London on 18 and 19 October.