Paperless systems can help service companies accommodate more demanding customers, while still saving money and time.
Appeasing customers has never been an easy task, but it has grown incredibly difficult in the age of the online shopper.
In fact, a recent survey by Accenture revealed that
"In many cases we have found a significant gap between consumer expectations and reality, but we believe seamlessness is achievable," said Chris Donnelly, global managing director of Accenture's Retail practice.
One Holiday Inn in Grand Rapids, Mich., is attempting to accommodate this desire by
"Many consumers today are used to electronic signature pads," says Heather Emmons, the hotel's director of guest services, according to the news source. "We imagine this change will be quite seamless." But if the hotel's predictions prove to be at all accurate, customers won't be the only ones benefiting.
A recent PayStream Advisors study found
Holiday Inn officials believe that paperless electronic payment methods would save the hotel more than 33,000 sheets of paper annually, which totals approximately four trees.
There are plenty of examples of service companies who have achieved similar benefits from their paperless systems. Event planner firm Multi Image Group, for instance,
"It's been great," Reitzes said. "My accounts payable person loves it because she's not waiting around for weeks on end to get something approved and there's a trail now."
Reitzes said that
If MIG's example is any indication, then Holiday Inn will definitely be cutting down on its paper usage - by a lot. But "even if I didn't save any paper," Reitzes said, "I'm definitely saving time."