There was a time when the only option for fillable forms was to print a PDF, fill it out manually, and then scanning, faxing, or mailing the document. These types of forms, as you can imagine, have some limitations when it comes to productivity in the office. They are not legitimate electronic forms in the truest sense. For that, you’ll need Soda PDF OCR.
There are many benefits to fillable PDF forms. Here are some of the best ones:
Paperless process
More and more offices are going paperless these days, and fillable forms is one step in that direction. When the entire form of creating, executing, and sharing/transmitted a document can be done electronically, not only is the planet a little happier and your organization greener, but your business processes are also much more streamlined.
You can now also use eSignature and contract management software to sign contract and keep track of your legal documents. This means all of the paperwork can be done in one secure place, and you’re free from the hassle of having to print out contracts and forms, fill them in by hand, scan them back into digital form, etc.
Better customer service
When information is located only in physical paperwork, Word documents in your computer, or on pre-printed forms, it can be cumbersome to share that information with customers and other people in your supply chain. Fillable PDF forms allow you to share information quicker and more easily, which allows you to deliver superior customer service. Customer service can be the thing that sets your company apart from the competition, and anyway you can improve your ability to deliver services faster, better, and more efficiently should be considered when running a business.
Systems integration and flexibility
Once information is entered into an electronic form, those data can then be saved to your existing business databases automatically. Inversely, records in an existing database can be used to populate a form easily, too. The data can be shared between departments for various uses, from human resources to payroll and more. When the PDF forms “live” in a company’s content management system, they are not only stored securely but are also easily retrieved and distributed to/by those who have access rights.
Improved accuracy/less margin of error
Because the fillable forms consist of automatic drop-down lists, completion guides, and other “automated” features, data that is captured is always complete and accurate. When information is not as expected or incomplete, the system can inform the user that the document is incomplete before successful submission can be achieved. Further, because the firm is not manually filled in by a human, there is virtually no chance of human error or the chance of losing any data in the entry process.
Streamlined execution of legal documents
Did you know that a document that is electronically signed is legally binding? It’s true. Digital signature technology makes it possible for us to sign e-forms electronically, using secure login IDs and passwords. Through secure encryption, legally binding documents can be transmitted safely and securely.
Easy adaption to familiar paper formats
If your business has been using traditional paper forms for a long time, it can seem daunting to make the switch to a digital format. Thanks to fillable PDF forms, it’s possible to create customized forms to look and feel just like the paper forms your team members and customers are used to. This leads to a much more manageable learning curve once the transition is made to e-forms.
Solid return on investment
Finally, e-forms can deliver a significant return on your investment quickly. The exact amount of time depends on the number of forms your company uses in a set time. Reducing processing costs, coupled with a dramatic reduction in paper expenses, add up to a significant ROI for companies making the switch.