Modernization, AI, and the Future of Government Tech

Content contributed by Andy MacIsaac

An Uncertain Road Ahead

Government leaders are experiencing uncertainty with the federal transition and policy shifts stemming from the new administration.

That’s what I learned at Beyond the Beltway, an event where government leaders discuss their technology objectives and challenges. This event provides an opportunity to hear about technology priorities and pain points from industry leaders across the country.

Staying the Course

Teri Taki, Senior Vice President at the Center for Digital Government , pointed out that the response to this ongoing transition should be measured. Many state and local leaders reinforced this sentiment. They noted that their technology priorities remain steady despite shifting federal dynamics.

A Continued Focus: Efficiency, Modernization and AI

The ongoing push for modernization was a resounding theme across the event. This goes beyond upgrading legacy systems. It means delivering more efficient, citizen-centric services.

Leaders emphasized three major priorities:
  • Enhancing the constituent experience – Making government services more accessible, seamless and user friendly.
  • Leveraging AI and automation – Augmenting the workforce and streamlining service delivery.
  • Ensuring security and compliance – Safeguarding data and privacy amid evolving threats.

While these priorities are not new, the accelerated adoption of AI-driven automationis what stood out.

Automation is meant to improve internal processes and service delivery. It is not only about cost savings, but also about reducing inefficiencies, breaking down silos and improving collaboration.

Laserfiche’s Role in Enabling Smarter Government

We help government work more efficiently, collaborate better and deliver improved services. Our secure content management and process automation platform enables agencies to:
  • Automate manual workflows to free up staff for higher value work.
  • Unlocking insights and improving decision-making with AI.
  • Reduce bottlenecks and improve collaboration.
  • Strengthen security and compliance while maintaining operational efficiency.

Hundreds of state and local governments use Laserfiche to modernize their processes. We remain committed to helping government leaders navigate the evolving #GovTech landscape. We work to ensure that automation enhances both the citizen and staff experience.

The Path Forward: Thoughtful, Measured Innovation

While the drive for efficiency is critical, the approach must be measured and strategic. Technology should enhance rather than disrupt service delivery.

Process automation can overcome manual roadblocks, promote collaboration, and deliver secure, scalable solutions. With process automation, government agencies can achieve both efficiency and long-term value.Cut Content Management Costs in Half

At Laserfiche, we are committed to working with government partners to turn their priorities into reality.

For example, the City of Long Beach implemented a three-pronged strategy: consolidating IT services, increasing transparency and digitizing processes. Working with Laserfiche, the city cut annual ECM costs by 50%.

Empowering the delivery of the next generation of smarter, more responsive public services is our mission. We would love to hear your thoughts—what modernization trends are you seeing in the government space? Let’s connect! Contact us to learn how we can help you accelerate service delivery.

Clear the Path to Rebuilding: Laserfiche Can Speed Up Permitting and Recovery

The LA wildfires left behind more than just burned homes and scorched landscapes. They left thousands of residents waiting—waiting to rebuild, waiting for approvals, waiting for their lives to return to normal.

For local governments, the challenge is not about issuing permits; it’s about restoring hope and stability. And they need to do it as quickly as possible. But the traditional permitting process wasn’t designed for disasters. It’s slow, paper-heavy and frustrating for both officials and residents.

What if there was a way to cut through the backlog and get permits approved faster? Laserfiche is an industry-leading ECM platform that makes that possible.

When Every Day Counts

Imagine a homeowner who lost everything in the fire. They have insurance money ready, a contractor lined up and blueprints in hand. But before they can break ground, they need permits.

They submit their application, but local permitting offices are overwhelmed. Stacks of paperwork cover desks, phone lines are busy and approvals move at a snail’s pace. Weeks turn into months. Frustration builds.

Now, imagine a different scenario. The homeowner submits their permit online through a simple portal. The system automatically routes their application to the right department.  Any missing information is flagged upfront. Officials review and approve it digitally, cutting out unnecessary back-and-forth. The homeowner gets their permit in days instead of weeks.

That’s the power of Laserfiche.

Make Permitting Faster and Easier

Laserfiche transforms outdated, manual permitting into a fast, automated process. This automation helps local governments do more with less and keep up with demand.

Digital Applications Instead of Paper Piles

Rather than requiring residents to stand in line at government offices, Laserfiche allows them to:
  • Submit applications and supporting documents online.
  • Track their permit status in real time.
  • Receive digital approvals without having to visit multiple offices.

For government teams, this means fewer phone calls, fewer lost documents, and a smoother process from start to finish.

Streamline Workflows and Boost Efficiency with Automation After a wildfire, the volume of permit requests can overwhelm city staff. Laserfiche eliminates bottlenecks by:
  • Automatically routing applications to the right people for review.
  • Sending notifications when approvals are needed.
  • Setting up reminders so permits don’t get stuck in the system.

This keeps things moving, reducing unnecessary delays and helping homeowners start rebuilding sooner.

Make Smarter Decisions with GIS

Rebuilding isn’t just about speed—it’s also about safety. Some areas may be too fire-prone to redevelop with standard building practices. Some properties may need extra environmental and safety reviews before construction can begin.

Laserfiche connects directly with Esri ArcGIS, allowing officials to:
  • Link permits and inspection reports to real-time maps
  • Identify high-risk zones and flag permits that need extra review
  • Track rebuilding progress across the entire community

By combining permitting data with GIS mapping, governments can make informed, responsible decisions. These decisions can help protect communities and property owners from future disasters.

Keeping Up with FEMA and State Requirements

For local governments, disaster recovery isn’t just about issuing permit. It is about making sure everything is documented to receive state and federal funding.

Laserfiche simplifies compliance by:
  • Storing all permit records in a centralized, searchable system
  • Automatically tracking approvals, inspections, and changes
  • Generating reports for FEMA and state agencies without digging through stacks of paper

This ensures local governments don’t miss out on critical funding due to missing paperwork or lost records.

Keep Communities Informed in the Recovery Process

For residents affected by wildfires or disaster, waiting for a permit can feel like waiting in the dark. When will their application be reviewed? Where does it stand in the process? What else do they need to provide?

Laserfiche helps keep communities informed by:
  • Enabling residents to check their permit status via a public-facing portal.
  • Making information easily accessible by streamlining public records requests.
  • Improving collaboration between departments so everyone stays on the same page.

When people know what’s happening, trust in the process grows—and so does confidence in their local government.

Rebuilding Faster, Together

The wildfires may have destroyed homes, but they didn’t destroy the spirit of the communities they touched. Local governments have the power to clear the way for faster rebuilding—and Laserfiche can help.

With content management, automated approvals, GIS integration, and better compliance tools, cities and counties can:
  • Reduce permit approval times from weeks to days.
  • Prevent paperwork delays and lost documents.
  • Ensure compliance with FEMA and state regulations.
  • Speed up inspections and safe rebuilding efforts.
  • Improve communication and transparency for residents.

For families and business owners eager to rebuild, every day matters. The faster the permits are issued, the sooner construction begins, and the sooner life can return to normal.

Let’s Get Started

If your city or county is struggling with permitting delays after the wildfires, Laserfiche can help. Contact us today to see how our automation and workflow solutions can support your recovery efforts. See why Laserfiche is a Leader:
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Streamline Wealth Management Client Onboarding with a Digital Ecosystem

According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Financial Advisor Satisfaction Study, nearly 1 in 3 (28%) advisors say they don’t spend enough time building client relationships. Compared to their peers, these advisors report spending an average of 41% more time on administrative and compliance-oriented tasks, and, in many cases, they are starting to question whether their firm is committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed.

In response to challenges like these, the wealth management industry is experiencing a digital revolution, transforming the once-cumbersome client onboarding process. Gone are the days of manual data entry and fragmented workflows. Today, intelligent process automation and integrations, key components of a robust digital ecosystem, are leading the charge.

At the heart of this transformation lies cutting-edge enterprise content management (ECM) solutions. These empower firms like yours to:
  • Automate Client Onboarding: Seamlessly integrate your operational hub with your preferred custodian and CRM system through APIs and process automation. This not only allows for faster account opening without overburdening staff, but also expedites the entire client onboarding process, leading to quicker revenue generation.

  • Simplify Compliance: Establish a secure, centralized system with time-stamped audit trails and robust document and records management. This “single source of truth” simplifies compliance with complex regulations – like SEC Rule 17a-4 and GDPR – by centralizing and tracking all communications and documentation.

  • Enhance Operational Efficiency & Improve Operational Excellence Strategy: Streamlining back-office operations through document workflow automation is crucial for your operational excellence strategy. This eliminates information silos, fosters collaboration, reduces operating costs, and frees up staff for higher-value tasks, boosting overall efficiency.

  • Elevate the Client Experience: An automated client onboarding process frees advisors from tedious paperwork, allowing them to focus on client engagement. Data-driven insights, leveraged from a well-integrated CRM system, help advisors tailor services to each client’s specific needs, further enhancing the overall client experience.

Ready to unlock your wealth management firm’s full potential? Embrace the future of client onboarding in wealth management and elevate your operational excellence strategy. Download Laserfiche’s comprehensive ebook to discover how ECM solutions can transform data collaboration, revolutionize operations, simplify compliance with regulations like the SEC’s books and records rules, and propel your client experience to new heights.

Download free white paper: How to Revolutionize Client Onboarding in Wealth Management.

GUIDES – A Collaborative Approach to Community Support 

In January 2023, the City of Long Beach launched the Government User Integrated Diversion Enhancement System (GUIDES), a transformative mobile application designed to assist the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) and the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office (LBCP) in providing vital assistance to highly vulnerable populations. This innovative platform serves as an online information system powered by Laserfiche’s innovative document and records management software, enabling law enforcement and prosecutors to share data and access case information while connecting individuals in need to essential services. 

Project Overview 

The GUIDES app was conceived as a response to pressing social issues, particularly the dramatic rise in homelessness and associated challenges in Long Beach. The city declared an “Emergency on Homelessness” after witnessing a staggering 62% increase in homelessness between 2020 and 2022. By providing officers with immediate access to crucial information that is stored in the Laserfiche Repository, GUIDES empowers them to make informed decisions, diverting individuals away from the criminal justice system and toward necessary social services, like shelter housing, mental health treatment and drug rehabilitation. 

Doug Haubert, Long Beach City Prosecutor, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, “We partnered with Laserfiche to create GUIDES, the first police-prosecutor data sharing app, to give more resources to officers in the field. We need technology like this more than ever to help get people off the streets, and into social services.”  

Funding and Development 

The development of GUIDES was funded by the United States Department of Justice through the Innovative Prosecution Solutions Grant Program, with a total award of $360,000. Laserfiche, a Long Beach-based software company with deep ties to the community, worked closely with Haubert’s office to develop GUIDES and ensure it met the specific needs of local law enforcement and the community at large. 

Prior to the introduction of GUIDES, the LBPD had been leveraging Laserfiche technology since 2013 to improve access to information about court orders. As a trusted solution for document management and collaboration, Laserfiche supports the LBPD’s ability to centrally store information — such as PDFs, images and documents — apply appropriate metadata, and retrieve content while addressing necessary regulatory, security and privacy requirements. Building on this foundation, the Laserfiche-driven GUIDES app represents a significant advancement in the city’s approach to public safety. 

Key Features and Functionality 

The GUIDES app enables officers to quickly ascertain context about individuals they encounter in the field, enhancing their ability to provide appropriate assistance. The app provides real-time information regarding individuals’ probation status, stay-away court orders, and active warrants, streamlining the decision-making process for officers. For example, if an individual is already part of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) diversion program, officers can easily identify and reconnect them with their case managers, offering alternatives to arrest or incarceration. By facilitating this connection to social services, GUIDES helps to improve outcomes for individuals in need. 

Results and Impact 

The initial evaluation of the GUIDES initiative has yielded promising results. A survey of police respondents indicated that 75.6% are likely to use the app in the field, and 70% believe it will aid them in their duties. This positive reception highlights the potential for GUIDES to enhance law enforcement practices and improve outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges. 

Long-term goals for the project include: 
  • Reduction in arrests and prosecutions due to having more options 
  • Increased referrals to social services 
  • Improved outcomes for individuals with social service needs 
  • Decrease in violent crime and recidivism rates 

By focusing on these objectives, GUIDES allows law enforcement agencies to concentrate their resources on cases that truly require traditional criminal justice interventions. 

Future Potential 

Looking ahead, there is significant potential for the GUIDES app to evolve and expand its capabilities. The app’s architecture is designed to incorporate additional features over time, allowing for the integration of further data types that can enhance its utility. The ultimate goal is to build a more interconnected ecosystem of government agencies and NGOs, fostering collaboration to address pressing community needs. 

As Haubert notes, “This project requires organizational commitment and a long-term vision. If we invest in the right resources, GUIDES can serve as a model for other communities grappling with similar challenges.” 

The GUIDES app exemplifies how innovative technology from Laserfiche can play a crucial role in modernizing public safety efforts and addressing complex social issues. By bridging the gap between law enforcement and social services, Laserfiche and the City of Long Beach are taking a proactive approach to support its most vulnerable residents. In a world where traditional methods often fall short, GUIDES represents a forward-thinking solution, demonstrating the power of collaboration and technology in fostering a more equitable society. 

How GenAI and Digital Process Automation Are Impacting Manufacturing Productivity

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital process automation (DPA) is reshaping the manufacturing landscape. As businesses strive to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness, these technologies offer transformative solutions. This comprehensive analysis explores the synergy between AI and DPA in manufacturing, highlighting their benefits, applications, and potential challenges.

Understanding AI and DPA

AI refers to the ability of machines to simulate human intelligence, encompassing tasks like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and perception. In manufacturing, AI can be applied to analyze vast datasets, predict equipment failures, optimize production processes, and improve quality control.

DPA is a software approach that automates repetitive, rule-based tasks, streamlining workflows and reducing manual errors. When combined with AI, DPA can create intelligent systems capable of adapting to changing conditions and making informed decisions.

Key Benefits of AI and DPA in Manufacturing
  • Enhanced Efficiency: Automation of routine tasks frees up human resources for more strategic activities, leading to increased productivity and reduced operational costs.
  • Improved Quality: AI-powered quality control systems can identify defects early in the manufacturing process, minimizing waste and improving product quality.
  • Predictive Maintenance: By analyzing equipment data, AI can predict potential failures, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.
  • Optimized Supply Chain: AI can optimize inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics, resulting in a more efficient and responsive supply chain.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: AI-powered analytics provide valuable insights into manufacturing processes, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

Applications of AI and DPA in Manufacturing
  • Production Optimization: AI can optimize production schedules, allocate resources effectively, and identify bottlenecks in manufacturing processes.
  • Quality Control: AI-powered vision systems can inspect products for defects, ensuring consistent quality and compliance with standards.
  • Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms can analyze sensor data to predict equipment failures, allowing for timely maintenance and preventing unplanned downtime.
  • Supply Chain Management: AI can optimize inventory levels, improve demand forecasting, and streamline logistics operations.
  • Product Design and Development: AI can assist in product design, generating innovative concepts and simulating product performance.

Best Practices for Implementing AI and DPA
  • Start Small and Scale: Begin with pilot projects to test the feasibility and benefits of AI and DPA before implementing them on a larger scale.
  • Prioritize High-Impact Use Cases: Focus on applications that offer the greatest potential benefits and return on investment.
  • Invest in Data Quality: Ensure that data is accurate, complete, and accessible for AI algorithms to process effectively.
  • Collaborate with Experts: Partner with AI and DPA experts to leverage their knowledge and experience.
  • Address Ethical Concerns: Develop ethical guidelines and policies to ensure responsible AI implementation.

AI and DPA are powerful tools that can revolutionize manufacturing operations. By leveraging these technologies, businesses can enhance efficiency, improve quality, and gain a competitive edge. However, successful implementation requires careful planning, investment, and a commitment to ethical practices. As AI and DPA continue to evolve, manufacturers must stay informed and adapt their strategies to harness the full potential of these transformative technologies.

Want to gain more insights on the impacts of AI and DPA on manufacturing? Watch our webinar: How GenAI and Digital Process Automation Are Impacting Manufacturing Productivity.

Laserfiche Integrations: Q3 Highlights from the Champion Virtual Lounge

The Laserfiche Champion program continues to be a vibrant hub for knowledge sharing and community building. This past July, August and September, our monthly Champion Virtual Lounge meetings delved into the exciting world of Laserfiche integrations, empowering Champions with the knowledge and resources to unlock the full potential of their document management system.

July Session: Integration Essentials: Building a Strong Foundation

The July session kicked off with a deep dive into the fundamentals of Laserfiche integrations. Champions learned the importance of clearly defining the integration’s objective — what data needs to be exchanged, what information needs to be displayed, and what interfaces need to be used. Planning the integration timeline, as in choosing when processes are started — whether that be via automatic background processes, scheduled actions or user-triggered workflows — was another key takeaway.

This session also explored the various integration methods available. Champions explored pre-built integrations for common applications like Microsoft Office, DocuSign and Google Maps, simplifying the connection process. For those requiring more customized solutions, the Laserfiche API was discussed, allowing programmatic access to Laserfiche from other applications or vice versa.

August Session: Showcasing Integration Power in Action

August’s session built upon the foundation of July’s with live demonstrations of essential integrations. Champions witnessed the seamless editing capabilities of Laserfiche with Microsoft Office applications, eliminating the need for local document downloads. Demonstrations that included sending documents for signature through DocuSign and visualizing document locations on Google Maps further showcased the power of a connected ecosystem.

For those want to explore process automation more in-depth, the session explored Laserfiche’s integration capabilities with popular CRM systems like Salesforce. Champions learned how to retrieve, create and update CRM objects through built-in connectors, streamlining data exchange between applications.

September Session: Expanding the Ecosystem: Powering Up with Technology Alliance Partners

September’s session shifted gears, focusing on the vast ecosystem of pre-built connectors and custom solutions offered by Laserfiche Technology Alliance Partners (TAPs). These partners extend Laserfiche’s capabilities by seamlessly integrating with a wider range of essential applications and databases.

Champions discovered the Solution Marketplace, a one-stop shop for exploring integrations compatible with their specific needs. The session highlighted TAPs specializing in areas like digital signatures (OneSpan), intelligent document processing (IRIS) and agenda management (Granicus). These integrations empower organizations to automate complex workflows and unlock new levels of efficiency.

Beyond Integrations: A Thriving Community

The Champion Virtual Lounge sessions are much more than just technical discussions. Each meeting fosters a sense of community, with Champions actively participating in Q&A sessions and sharing their experiences. In addition, program updates and announcements keep Laserfiche Champions informed about upcoming events, Champion challenges, and exclusive Champion program benefits.

Join the Conversation: Become a Laserfiche Champion

The Laserfiche Champion program is open to all Laserfiche users. By participating, you gain access to a wealth of resources, training opportunities, and the chance to connect with a passionate user community.

Ready to unlock the full potential of Laserfiche integrations and become part of a thriving ecosystem? Visit the Laserfiche Champion program page to learn more and sign up today!
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Client Onboarding Made Easy: CRM + Automation in Wealth Management

Client satisfaction and regulatory compliance are paramount in the wealth management industry. Yet, at times, your ability to streamline the client onboarding process and improve back-office operations leaves new clients wondering if they came to the right place. You’re not alone.

Many wealth management firms face the same challenges – onboarding clients seamlessly, while ensuring all necessary documentation and compliance requirements are met. Traditional customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, while widely used, often fall short when it comes to robust workflow automation capabilities.

Discover the benefits of CRM integration with intelligent process automation to enhance client experience and simplify compliance. If you’re searching for more comprehensive solutions to improve your operational excellence strategy, read on…

The Limitations of Stand-Alone CRMs in Workflow Automation

Despite the high market penetration of CRM software in the industry, wealth management firms struggle to leverage these platforms as the central operational hub for onboarding new clients and other critical processes.

Stand-alone CRMs typically lack the advanced process automation functionalities required to customize electronic forms for different jurisdictions, account types, and approval stages. Plus, many CRMs don’t fully comply with recordkeeping regulations (e.g., SEC Rule 17a-4), offer comprehensive reporting and analytics features, or provide the flexibility needed to reconfigure or rebuild complex business workflows. These limitations can leave you grappling with information silos, manual data entry errors, data security concerns, and inefficiencies across different areas of your business.

Why Document Workflow Automation in Wealth Management is Vital to Growing Your Business

Forward-thinking firms are turning to CRM integrations with intelligent process automation platforms to revolutionize their operations. By implementing content-centric workflow automation, firms can streamline the client onboarding process, simplify compliance procedures, and break down information silos that create bottlenecks in your productivity. These enterprise content management (ECM) solutions offer robust workflow customization options, advanced ability to leverage data reporting and analytics capabilities, and secure data storage, empowering firms to modernize their digital ecosystem and enhance client experience.

Stonehage Fleming’s Transition to Laserfiche

Stonehage Fleming strategically migrated a substantial portion of their workflows, including the client onboarding process, from Microsoft Dynamics CRM to Laserfiche’s enterprise content management solution. This transition not only resulted in significant cost savings of $55,000 annually, but also unlocked over 35,000 hours of time savings per year.

By leveraging Laserfiche’s advanced workflow automation and integration tools, Stonehage Fleming was able to standardize a group function across multiple jurisdictions and departments, mitigating compliance risks and enhancing operational efficiency.

The Impact of Intelligent Process Automation on Client Services

Gert Bester, IT Business Systems Manager at Stonehage Fleming, highlights the transformative impact of automation on client services: “Instead of getting more resources to do the work and expanding, [our middle office] looked at the processes to automate a lot of steps to be more supportive of the front office team. And in return, the front office team can actually support the clients better.”

Learn about CRM integration with intelligent process automation platform and more wealth management best practices to improve operational efficiency, streamline your client onboarding process, and simplify compliance.

Download free Whitepaper: How to Revolutionize Client Onboarding in Wealth Management.

3 Steps to Manufacturing Intelligence: Readying Your Business to Embrace Smart Manufacturing

Persistent labor shortages are a pressing challenge for today’s manufacturers. The industry’s current skills gap is predicted to balloon to 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, which will cost employers an estimated $1 trillion per year. This makes adding automation to increase efficiencies and optimize throughput a top priority across the industry. Smart manufacturing technologies, ranging from digital twins and robots to the use of data analytics to streamline production processes, promise to ease the difficulties associated with the current labor shortage. But automating factory floor operations isn’t simple. It requires massive investments in equipment, data infrastructure and employee training.

Manufacturers may be eager to embrace smart technology innovations, but leaders in smaller firms may struggle to understand where to begin. Meanwhile, larger enterprises are often inhibited by organizational silos or a need to prove short-term return on investment (ROI) when end results may be months, if not years, in the future. Implementing the right data strategy and enterprise architecture can make it possible to overcome these obstacles.

Many manufacturing firms — especially those with complex compliance requirements — create and process large volumes of documents to support their operations. To avoid redundancies and inefficiencies, they need to leverage automation to create a single source of truth and align workflows across the entire organization. This sets the foundation for digital transformation. The right data management strategy successfully melds data across diverse business processes — from sales and inventory management through logistics and quality assurance — into a unified informational backbone. With this data strategy in place, manufacturers will be prepared for success in smart manufacturing.

What is Smart Manufacturing?

The National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) defines smart manufacturing as a set of fully integrated, collaborative systems that respond in real time to meet changing demands and conditions in the factory, in the supply network and from customers. Realizing this vision requires harnessing digital technologies to realize greater efficiencies than are possible in traditional production processes. Machines and operators should be sharing information about performance, efficiency and maintenance needs on an ongoing basis to maximize agility and minimize unplanned downtime.

Becoming “smart” means embedding sensors in production equipment to gather data about operational status and performance. But it also requires an infrastructure for sharing, processing and analyzing that data. Taking advantage of the cloud’s near-infinite scalability makes it possible to manage the enormous volumes of data involved.

A mature smart manufacturing ecosystem involves much more data than what’s output by operational technology (OT) systems and sensors, though. It should also incorporate product designs, sales information, logistics tracking (for both finished products and materials), financial results and more. Thinking holistically about all of this data is the secret to successfully advancing your organization’s smart manufacturing maturity.

This playbook will give a three-step roadmap to ready your organization for smart manufacturing. Standardizing document and data management paves the way for digitizing business processes across the organization. This will ultimately allow you to glean value from the smart systems on your factory floor faster and more easily.
  • Step 1: Assess and Strategize
  • Step 2: Design the Right Data Architecture
  • Step 3: Build Out Integrations

Want to learn more? Download the full ebook: 3 Steps to Ready Your Business for Smart Manufacturing.

Optimize Processes and Bridge Interoperability Gaps with ECM

The digital transformation in healthcare heralded by electronic health records (EHRs) is creating its own challenges. As the industry rapidly adopts advanced technologies, healthcare organizations find themselves drowning in a sea of digital “paperwork.” In turn, the patient information and medical data deluge forms bottlenecks that impede workflows, hinder strategic operational goals and ultimately affect the quality of patient care  —  the opposite of what digital healthcare tools are designed to do.

This administrative burden is felt across the entire healthcare spectrum. Frontline staff are stretched thin, struggling to balance patient care with increased documentation demands. From patient intake to discharge to medical billing and followups, back-office workloads intensify as patient populations require more complex and frequent care. Meanwhile, IT departments grapple with interoperability issues and data management challenges when solutions don’t integrate, resulting in lower returns on chosen technology investments.

Electronic content management (ECM) systems present a powerful solution to these mounting pressures. These digital platforms organize, store and manage medical documents, patient records and other healthcare-related information to improve accessibility, efficiency and compliance within healthcare organizations.

ECM solutions offer a way to modernize outdated methods and bridge the gap between various processes and departments. Leading ECM systems provide the tools to efficiently manage critical patient information and increasing volumes of medical records, enhance operational effectiveness through digital process automation, and maintain compliance with strict regulatory standards.

Healthcare comes to a critical crossroads

The urgent need to find a better way to work is underscored by the U.S. healthcare system’s looming staffing crisis, as an aging population with increasing medical needs is coupled with a shrinking workforce to provide care.

By 2030, Americans over 65 are projected to outnumber children for the first time, driving unprecedented demand. Simultaneously, the country faces a critical shortage of 200,000 nurses and 124,000 physicians, creating a significant gap between patient needs and available care providers.

Compounding this issue is the high burnout and turnover rate among younger healthcare professionals seeking meaningful work who feel their skills are underutilized.

Grace Nam, Strategic Solutions Manager, Healthcare at ECM provider Laserfiche, attributes this attrition to a misalignment of expectations. “While we are preparing for the retirement of baby boomers, we’re also witnessing a rapid exodus of younger generations from healthcare fields because they don’t feel like they are doing what they invested their time and money to do in the workforce,” she said.

Nam identified a key factor in this disillusionment: the disproportionate time many healthcare staff currently spend on repetitive administrative tasks rather than on direct patient care. Across various healthcare settings, data silos and the burden of paperwork are eroding the core motivations that initially drew many to these professions.

In 2023, Laserfiche partnered with the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) to determine the biggest pain points for healthcare executives and IT leaders seeking solutions to create operational efficiencies within their existing health IT frameworks. Researchers found that, collectively, these key stakeholders wanted solutions that eliminated manual work, mitigated burnout and saved time in key areas like coding, documentation and value-based care.

“End users from front to back offices expressed challenges, especially with extended EHR/EMR processes, that take up too much of their time,” Nam said. “Not only that, but these inefficiencies are causing errors that lead to a few weeks or even a few months of work delays, all because of a simple typo or manual data error.”

Breathing new life into healthcare workforces

Advanced technologies, particularly in areas of automation and data management, can play a crucial role in retention rates for both patients and their providers. ECM solutions in particular offer transformative benefits for healthcare organizations, including:
  • Bridging interoperability gaps, particularly between legacy and niche applications, to improve data consistency across departments for better clinical decision support.
  • Managing unstructured data by integrating disparate data sources, simplifying indexing and chart retrieval and securing data access — all of which speeds up revenue cycle management (RCM).
  • Mitigating workforce shortages and relieving staff burnout by streamlining administrative processes to create a more efficient and supportive work environment.
  • Enhancing patient engagement and loyalty through patient portal integrations that automate patient-centric processes such as billing, invoicing and medical records management.
  • Building digital resilience that ensures continuity of care, even in difficult circumstances.
  • Simplifying HIPAA compliance to support data accuracy and patient privacy with automated audit trails.

Working with or adjacent to EHRs at the heart of today’s healthcare organizations, ECM solutions allow healthcare practices to flourish under challenging conditions and make the most of the large volumes of healthcare data that are now generated daily.

Get the full white paper

Gain more expert advice and insights by downloading the full HIMSS Whitepaper: Breaking Up Healthcare’s Data Bottlenecks.

6 Ways the Right Records Management Solution Can Streamline Financial Services Operations

By Joman Kwong, Strategic Solutions Manager at Laserfiche

With various regulations in place that stipulate how and when financial institutions collect, keep and dispose of customer data, back-office employees are often left to manually manage large volumes of records. Complex and tedious tasks of this nature can bog down staff and take away time that should be dedicated to more valuable activities. Fortunately, leading records management solutions can address regulatory requirements while also supporting streamlined experiences for both staff and customers.

Pinning Down the Pain Points

Every customer account includes large amounts of sensitive data and information. Many financial institutions struggle to manage costs and regulations while maintaining that level of data accessibility and security. But when it comes to record handling, any breakdown within these categories could be costly in both the monetary and reputational sense.

Data shows that financial institutions experience the second-highest average cost per data breach. The average $5.97 million loss would be detrimental to any business, and for organizations in the financial sector — which are built on the foundation of customer trust — the added reputational damage would be even more devastating. Record disorganization and misuse can lead to fines as well as put institutions at operational and regulatory risk when the next audit comes around.

Additionally, not only will dispersed information frustrate employees who are tasked with locating records, it will also have an adverse effect on the customer experience, where confidence and trust are paramount. With advanced and easy-to-use records management solutions available, there’s no reason to risk penalties or overburden your employees with scattered records and stacks of paper.

Leveraging the Power of Records Management

An excellent records management solution is a key part of this modernization journey. Content services technology is highly beneficial, streamlining operations across business units and simplifying larger strategies.

Here are six key advantages of converting paper or digitized records to an improved centralized information and records management platform:
  • Reduce operational costs. There’s only so much space to store physical records — when information is instead kept and protected in digital vaults made specifically to house sensitive information, organizations can eliminate space as well as storage costs.
  • Improve data accessibility. Having enhanced visibility into recordkeeping significantly reduces the time spent searching for and requesting access to information across core business applications. Records management solutions allow organizations to sort folders and files in the hierarchies and groups that work best for their needs, thus optimizing productivity. Integrations can further improve visibility and streamline information sharing across the organization.
  • Support business continuity. To reduce friction for employees, records must be easily accessible at any time and from any location, especially given today’s distributed workforce. However, convenience must not come at the expense of security. Records management solutions offer security tools in a scalable, resilient database.
  • Address compliance requirements. Industry compliance rules can often shift unpredictably — records management solutions empower pivotal adjustments to address emerging regulations.
  • Support audits. Audits are huge undertakings. Records management systems offer robust features like audit trails, tagging, document history, and system activity, which help simplify the process.
  • Improve customer experience and drive faster revenue generation. Today, customers expect seamless, digital, and quick services. The faster customer service representatives can access the information they need, the quicker customers can do business with the institution, ultimately accelerating revenue generation.

Cleaning Up the Digital Realm

Investing in centralized content services technologies should improve experiences for both employees and customers while boosting the bottom line. A single source of truth eliminates pesky guesswork and makes it easier for back-office employees, legal personnel, and customer service representatives to leverage information across business systems.

Digitized records have, for the most part, replaced paper documentation. However, the old disorganization habits have transferred to the digital realm. Luckily, records management technology is a breeze to set up, use and maintain, empowering financial institutions to focus on what matters most: customers. For more information about records management and to see it in action, check out the webinar “Streamlining Records Management for Banks and Credit Unions with Laserfiche” and more curated resources on our financial solutions page.