Despite apps and displays - paper is still very popular
06.03.2018 - More and more companies are moving with the times and digitising communication, document management and archiving. Bulky file folders should no longer fill entire walls of shelves; instead, digital alternatives are increasingly being favoured. But despite all the enthusiasm for digitalisation and all the advantages that email, WhatsApp, online banking and optical archiving bring: The majority of internet users still swear allegiance to good old paper. There are practical reasons for this - and it often also serves security purposes.
Whether invoices, application documents or company presentations: Nowadays, many documents are transmitted and recorded digitally. They are sent as PDF files by email or saved and archived in a cloud. Shelves full of file folders are a thing of the past, whether at work or at home. In addition to cost aspects, the advantages include practical ones: the data is available from different locations via laptop, smartphone or tablet at any time and anywhere.
Good for the brain - paper promotes comprehension
Nevertheless, paper and pens have defied the digital revolution in many conference rooms. Here, too, the reasons are quite practical: short notes are simply quicker to take on a sheet of paper. People like to take a bound booklet with them to pitches instead of sending a PDF so that they have something "in their hands". at trade fairs, printed flyers and brochures have the advantage that interested parties have the information to hand immediately and not just on their screen at home. A 2015 study by Princeton University found that handwritten notes are better remembered than digital notes. It was found that the group of test subjects who took notes by hand had a better understanding of the subject matter than those who took notes on a laptop. According to the psychologists, one reason for this could be that people tend to write more things down when taking notes on a laptop and therefore do not pay as much attention to the actual subject matter. People who take notes by hand are generally shorter and therefore have the opportunity to listen and focus better.
The majority of internet users stick to paper documents
According to a survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom in 2015, 75 per cent of internet users aged 14 and over prefer important documents in paper form, while 76 per cent of them see no advantages in digital documents at all. according to the survey, 18 per cent of respondents are unable to find a suitable filing system for digital documents. The file folder in the cupboard seems to be the more practical option for them.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC ARCHIVING TOO VAGUE
Last but not least, paper is an unbeatably secure medium. Companies need to be aware that digitally recorded data can be a potential target for cyber criminals. Electronic archiving must fulfil legal requirements for data access such as immutability, order, completeness and traceability. Many companies complain that the wording of the law is too vague and vague. The switch from paper to digital documents should therefore not be rushed and should be carefully prepared.
Cover picture: iStockphoto
Author: Klaus E. Jopp
https://www.jopp-communications.de/
Sources:
entwickler.de/online/e-business/papier-war-gestern-dokumente-digital-oder-in-print-47925.html
https://www.bitkom.org/Presse/Presseinformation/Jeder-Vierte-bevorzugt-digitale-Dokumente-statt-Papier.html
http://www.alltagsforschung.de/handschriftliche-notizen-bleiben-besser-im-gedaechtnis/
