By now, you’ve probably heard the term ‘record retention policy’ or ‘document retention policy’. But do you have one? Or are you asking if you should have one? From our research, if you have any kind of business, (no matter the size or how many employees you have), you should definitely have a written policy for your document management and record keeping.
You might ask, “Why does it need to be written? I have a small business.” The simple fact that there are so many rules and regulations and requirements, from federal employment law, IRS, to state laws for different kinds of records, it is really hard to keep up with what you need to keep and for how long. Some records need to be kept permanently, and some only 3 years. Do you know what they are? It’s virtually impossible to remember, so do yourself a favor and create a written policy for the types of records you create, paper or electronic.
For individuals, it would be a good practice to have a written policy for maintaining record retention as well, because we all need to know what needs to be kept and for how long.
You’ll have a well-thought document to refer to and a methodical plan for maintaining your document management system. You won’t have to rethink the ‘how long should I keep this file’ every year. You can actually feel good when it’s time for a year-end purge of your files, because you’ll know what can be tossed and when.
You don’t want to get rid of a document, then find out later you need it. On the other hand, if you don’t have to keep documents for legal or tax reasons, and if you don’t have a good reason for keeping it, get rid of it. When in doubt, ask yourself some basic questions about why you might keep the paper file:
Just as important, for the documents you need to keep, is knowing how to file it in a way that is organized, but makes it easy to retrieve in a moment when you need it again. The fear of losing something important can cause anxiety. The fear of putting documents in the file cabinet instead of out where you can see it, can also be paralyzing when it comes to filing. The problem with that is there are too many paper files to leave out, and everything gets buried as the stacks grow and you lose it anyway.
None of what you keep will do you any good if you can’t find what you need at the moment you need it. See Customize Your Filing System With Paper Tiger’s Indexing Method for help getting started with an organized system for easy paper file retrieval. You will most likely be able to locate electronic files needed with a search in your email system or on your desktop or in your cloud digital file storage system.
There are several things you need to think about when creating a document retention policy. We’ve found a great Guide to Creating a Document Retention Policy (this guide will download to your downloads folder), from the National Federation of Independent Business, in which you will find what a document retention policy is and why you need one, as well as a step-by-step guide to creating your policy, including identifying what types of documents you produce that needs to be maintained, suggested retention timelines, and how documents should be destroyed when time limit has expired.
As stated, “A document retention policy (DRP) provides for the systematic review, retention, and destruction of documents received or created in the course of business. A DRP will identify documents that need to be maintained, contain guidelines for how long certain documents should be kept, and save your company valuable computer and physical storage space. In addition, a well-crafted DRP that is followed by your employees may assist your company in the event of litigation.” This is only a guide, so it is important that you identify the specific federal, state or local document retention provisions that apply specifically to your business and circumstances.
There is also a sample document retention policy from americanbar.org (this document will download to your downloads folder), that you might find helpful.
You may have your employees help you create your document retention policy, or you may have assigned the job to a manager. Whether the job of creating and maintaining a records policy is yours personally or someone in your organization, it should be championed and taken seriously when developing. Then when you have a written policy completed and approved, be sure that all employees know what to do with the records they create. Inconsistency of records management and destruction can be portrayed by opposing counsel as selective or arbitrary destruction of documents and can lead to serious legal damage rewards. It is important that all employees understand and be consistent in following the policy.
Employees will need to know:
For more information on record retention and document management, see our blog article:
Earth Day is Monday, April 22nd, and each year individuals across the globe participate in events geared towards environmental protection. Wouldn’t you like to get involved?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each year in the United States, Americans use about 71 million tons of paper and paperboard. Many organizations and individuals are making an effort to go paperless. A paperless environment is certainly good for the Earth as the amount of waste in the landfill is reduced in addition to greenhouse gas emissions and the energy used by printers.
Whether you are trying to go paperless or not, most of us still have some paper files, but we can still work toward less paper. Here are a few tips to help you be more environmental, and don’t forget to index the hard copy paper files into Paper Tiger filing system software for document management, so that when you need to retrieve a document, you can find it without having to print it again.
Here are just a few benefits of using Google Docs/Drive that can help you participate in Earth Day this year.
-Google Docs allows you to access your word processed files, spreadsheets and presentations. You can easily share these files with others. You can edit and work on these documents in the same location they are stored in. This can all be done without ever having a physical sheet of paper. The only time physical documents are involved is if you must first scan them into Google Docs. Sometimes you might need a hard copy in file, but also an electronic file. Using Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, function in Paper Tiger Online Basic or Pro plan, will allow you to index the physical paper file into Paper Tiger and also search Google Docs for the digital file.
-Google Docs has one of the cheapest digital file storage available. This means you can create and store all of your files digitally without physical paper clutter while also saving valuable space on your hard drive.
-Worried about the safety of your documents? While Google Docs is very secure, you have the option to send automated backups to your computer and also synchronize through Google Drive.
You can easily do your part to reduce your paper footprint by rethinking how you work with paper files and digital files. These tips can help you do your part in keeping the environment healthy. Whether you have digital files or hard copy paper files, you can easily do your part by reducing paper use for Earth Day.
This article from the blog of Denise Landers, founder and CEO of Key Organization Systems Inc. and a Paper Tiger Expert, is helpful as it relays a few tips to us on storing electronic files. With an effective filing system in place, finding electronic files are an easy task. Denise also suggests Paper Tiger Filing System Software and Document Management for your paper files and proficient organizing.
Just because paper is becoming less of an issue for filing does not mean that a good filing system is unnecessary. You may now store electronic files instead of paper files, and these also need to be organized for quick searches. A few simple tips can be really useful in managing your electronic or digital files efficiently. We’ve also provided additional helpful hints within Denise’s article as it relates to how Paper Tiger and/or Google Drive might assist you in managing your electronic digital files.
Save and place your digital documents in one place, preferably in the My Documents/Documents folder. All of your text files, spreadsheets and presentations should go in one main folder. Note: if you use Gmail, you can now download Google Drive as a folder to your harddrive that will synchronize everything between this folder on your harddrive and your Google Drive location in the cloud from your Gmail account.
My Documents is like a closet where you need to have various drawers and sections to categorize or arrange things. Creating subfolders will act like drawers of that closet. Choose meaningful names for these. As a simple example, if you have a main folder with a name “Reports”, make subfolders with “2010”, “2011”, and “2012” for quicker searching. These subfolders can also contain more subfolders. Note: You can do the same thing with your Google Drive folder from your Gmail account.
If you start some with dates, then continue that practice. If they all relate to a specific project, you might put the project names or initials at the beginning of the name.
Your file names must be specific and so relevant that you can tell what is in the file without opening it. For instance, if it is an invoice to a company named ABC sent on Oct 2, the file name could be “invoice1012abc”. Giving generic names like “invoice” will make it extremely difficult for you to track and use it for the next time. As above, relating to consistency, you might start all invoice files with that word before adding more description. Note: When creating or uploading a scanned or other digital file to Google Drive, you can choose to have it converted to Google Docs format which will OCR up to 10 pages, which will allow you to search for words throughout your digital files.
It is wiser to make a habit of saving your file in the right place at the time of its creation instead of storing it on your desktop for quick access now. The desktop ends up becoming cluttered and another task to clear off later. When you have faith in your filing system, you won’t worry about keeping on the desktop to be sure of finding it.
If there are some files which you use often, force them to arrange on the top. You can add an asterisk or other symbol that will keep them above the other files. When you know longer need this file on a regular basis, take off the symbol so that it drops down to alphabetical order.
Plan for a time annually where you clean up your files. Get rid of the ones that are no longer pertinent.
Periodically it is smart to create backups of all your files. You might consider both local storage devices and an automatic online process.
Keeping your business documents organized is another step to a success. Windows has strong search features to find your files in the system, but if your file name is too generic, even the search feature will not be helpful.
The ideas for this guest post were contributed by Lewis Edward, one of the owners of The Office Providers.
Denise Landers
Key Organization Systems Inc.
Author of Destination Organization
productivity@keyorganization.com
Have you ever tried to “get organized” only to be frustrated after a day, or a week, or a month? Destination: Organization recognizes that reaching your organizing goals is a journey, not a one-time event, as you develop processes to cope with daily demands that constantly change. For help, call Denise at (281) 397-0015
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During this webinar, Anne discussed the basic concept of Paper Tiger to organize both paper files and other physical items of which you need to keep track so that you can find them when you need them, and the concept of Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs to organize and find your digital files. She demonstrated how to use Digital Tiger more effectively for digital filing, in addition to the following to show how to use Paper Tiger with Digital Tiger, so you can get organized and be more productive.
Find Anything In Your Office In 5 Seconds or Less…Guaranteed! Watch the webinar to learn more.
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, professional organizer and author. If you want to learn more about Anne and her services, please visit her website at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com.
She may be in Colorado (and sometimes in Arizona!), but she’s nationally recognized as an expert and works with people throughout the US in person and virtually.
You can contact Anne at amcgurty@strategizeandorganize.com or by phone at 303 881-0174.
See more information here on Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management
Q: How do you start when all of your files are in drawers and on your desk? It would be helpful to have ideas for where to start – baby steps.
A: We always recommend starting with the files on your desk to get your desk cleared. If you already have files set up, you might start with the drawers in your desk and index each file. We recommend starting with naming your Paper Tiger locations as Action Files, Reference Files, Archive Files. Then you can add other types of files later, such as Binders, Books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Locations could also be an actual physical location, such as File Room, Library, Garage, Basement, Storage, etc. Please take a look at this blog post that we created to help those needing a little guidance that you might find helpful: Customize Your Filing System with Paper Tiger’s Indexing Method
Q: Is there any way to search all of your databases or can you only search them individually?
A: You can only search within the individual database that you’re in at the time. You cannot search across all of your databases. Having different databases is only advantageous if you want to keep different filing systems separate and do not want to search for all files in all databases at one time. For example, if you have an Office database and a Home database, you do not want items to pop up from your Office database when conducting a search for an item in your Home database.
Q: I have several “side jobs” for non profits etc. Do you recommend setting up locations for each type of side job? For example, I have several clients that I work for from home. Should I set up a location for each client? Perhaps it depends on what the physical location is?
A: It does depend on how you want these filed, but think about if you need to have a location for each client. Do you have several manilla folders for each client or do you simply have 1 hanging file folder per client? If you only have 1 hanging file folder per client, create a location named Clients, then 1 item per client. However, if you have several manilla folders for each client, and you don’t want to itemize each manilla folder into 1 item, then you might consider naming a location per client. In this latter case, you might only have 5-10 items in each location, but it would give you more flexibility in differentiating between clients.
Q: If I use the cloud version, vs the desktop version, I could access from multiple PC’s, is that right? e.g. access from home and work
A: Yes, you would be able to sign in from wherever you are with an Internet connection. Paper Tiger Online works on any computer with an Internet access including Mac.
Q: Where do I find the area to change the setting to include digital search? I checked database preferences, but it doesn’t give me that option.
A: You will first need to connect Paper Tiger to your Google account. From the Dashboard, click on the Accounts tab, then find the option to Connect to Google Docs. Please see this blog post that has step by step instructions that you might find helpful: http://www.thepapertiger.com/blog/started-digital-tiger-paper-digital-filing-solution/
Q: Can I attach a picture to an item, specifically, I want to inventory fabric for a small sewing business, pictures or links to pictures in the notes would be helpful.
A: Paper Tiger is an indexing system, and doesn’t allow you to attach an electronic file, however you would be able to upload the picture to Google Drive and title that digital file with keywords. Then with your Paper Tiger Online account connected to your Google account, you would be able to search from Paper Tiger Online and search results will return for both your physical items that you’ve indexed into Paper Tiger and your digital items that you have in your Google Drive. You can also paste the link into the Notes section if you like, however it will not be hyperlink, but you can copy from there if you wish later.
The paperless office has been a myth up until just recently but does going paperless mean having no paper at all in your office? Of course, that depends on your office and the type of documents you have. Legal, accounting or medical offices would probably have a harder time going paperless due to the types of records in these offices.
There are lots of questions to ask and your answers to these questions would determine if your office should go paperless. So would you say that a paperless office might mean less paper instead of no paper? It may be very hard to go to a ‘no paper’ environment for any office, and there are pros and cons.
Cost Effective: If your office and workflow does not have to have a printed copy for every document, your printer ink and paper budget will decrease. Think about how you process your mail and if you could possibly distribute via email instead, which will also cut down on your postage. Simply rethinking about how you print and distribute from your office will be a great savings to you.
Environment: It goes without saying that reduction of paper will help the environment in reducing landfill waste, all that goes into production of paper, greenhouse gas emissions, energy used by printers, and production and disposal of ink cartridges.
Easy access: If you decide that going paperless would mean that you put your digital files in the cloud, Google Drive is a great tool to use. Google is a secure cloud environment, and it is included in your Google or Gmail account so every time you sign into your Gmail account, you also have access to your digital files. Google has also priced the digital file storage to be very economical.
It takes time: As Sherry Borsheim of International Association of Business Organizing (IABO) says, “going paperless is a process.” It is not an overnight process, and it will take time. Depending on the amount of paper files you have in your office will depend on how much time it will take you to transition to a more paperless environment. Time to make a plan for transitioning, and time to implement the changes in your staff workflow.
Changing current processes: The first step of transitioning to a paperless environment will mean that you’ll need to review your current processes and systems. Think about the types of paper files that can be switched to working with digital files instead of printing them out. Is there a way to work with some types of files digitally instead of everyone in the office printing the same document? Do we need to keep receipts for accounting and tax purposes? And what about contracts and other legal documents that need to be kept in the original format?
Cost of digital storage: There is a cost for digital file storage whether you decide to back up all your digital files to Google Drive as mentioned previously or in-house to CDs or Flash Drives or external hard drives, or other cloud services such as Carbonite, or Dropbox. You will need to decide what is best for your office. There are always concerns about cloud service security, but also think about how safe your in-house back up situation may be because you would be responsible for thinking about loss of these devices, system failure or crashes, in addition to weather circumstances such as flood, fire, tornado, etc. In addition, you have to think about digital formats that are no longer supported, such as moving digital files that you had on the old floppy discs to Flash Drives or external hard drives, and upgrade your older files from time to time to make sure they remain usable; or again decide to go to the cloud with your digital filing. Do you have a business continuation and back up plan?
Decide on your target goal. What is your objective in reducing paper in your office? Do you have a records retention policy? What types of documents do you need to keep and how long should you keep records? You and your staff needs to agree on a records retention policy for the types of paper and digital files you retain to use as a guideline for how you want records kept and how long certain files should be kept. We have several articles at records retention guidelines that you might find helpful.
Remember not everything needs to be switched to digital at one time. Some of your old records may not need converting to digital at all, and just simply discard them when they reach a certain age. It may not be efficient for you to scan every document in your office if you won’t need to keep them or retrieve them later. Then start with your current workflow processes, and you’ll most likely see what can be converted during your daily activities. Make a policy for these workflow processes that you can easily identify. Get comfortable with one daily activity at a time, then move on to another.
Decide what files will need to be kept in paper hard copy format and what files can be digital format. Be sure to decide on a naming system for filing both your paper and digital files. If you use Google Drive, decide if you want every digital file in Google Docs format, which makes the contents searchable.
For the paper files that you decide that you need to keep in hard copy format, index them into Paper Tiger Filing System software so that you’ll have a system to keep track of where they are. You can file with ease of mind that you’ll be able to find them later. Paper Tiger allows you to put an item name on every document, but also allows you to input all keywords relating to the documents in each hanging file folder, because as you know some files could have multiple item names that just won’t fit on the file tab. You will be able to search for any keyword that you’re thinking about on any given day for the file that you need.
Paper Tiger Online connects to Google Docs/Drive to activate Digital Tiger. To further explain, Digital Tiger is a free add-on with a paid Paper Tiger Online Basic or Pro account, and is the function that connects your Paper Tiger Online account to your Google Docs/Google Drive account, then you will be able to search from Paper Tiger to find both your paper/physical items that you’ve indexed into Paper Tiger, and your digital files that you’ve created, uploaded or scanned into Google Docs format.
Google Drive is an extension for Google email account holders that allows an account holder to download a Google Drive folder to their personal device(s), such as, your desktop PC, Mac, Laptop, Mobile Phone, iPad, etc., in order to save/store digital files into the folder which are then synchronized into your Google Drive account within Gmail. Google Drive is compatible with the Mac and Windows operating systems. So if you have multiple computers that you have documents saved to, you’ll now be able to synch those digital files to one cloud location and be able to access from any computer where you sign into your Gmail account. Click here to see more information about Google Drive.
See one of our previous articles Not Just Any Filing System to Get Organized! that might help you see how Paper Tiger and Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs works. Whether you use Paper Tiger together or separately from Google Drive, using these two software tools is a great way to organize your paper and digital files so that you can get organized and find what you need, when you need it!
Sherry Borsheim, a Paper Tiger Expert of Simply Productive, has published a short video to help us understand that ‘going paperless’ is a process, and may mean that you have ‘less’ paper, instead of ‘no’ paper. Not necessarily that you have to get rid of every piece of paper to go paperless.
Sherry’s Organizing Bootcamps will give you a JUMP-START on ORGANIZING your office, home and life. She will give you her trade secrets and steps to setting up your organizing systems, including recommending Paper Tiger filing system software for document management, to be organized and manage the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical stuff in your life.
Sherry says,
Making the decision to go paperless is a great step in the right direction. But it isn’t a single step … going paperless is a process. Even after I thought I had cleared everything, I still find it is important to keep going back in and clearing more out! Staying organized is about staying on top of your systems.
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This video by Natalie Conrad of Organized Habits, and a Paper Tiger Expert, is a great demonstration of how she uses her favorite scanner – the ScanSnap 1500, which is what we at Paper Tiger recommend as well! It is a great scanner. You can also view our demonstration of the ScanSnap 1500 on our Training page under the section entitled What is Digital Tiger?
Natalie also recommends Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management to get everything in your life organized — it’s not just for filing paper!
Most of my clients have challenges and frustrations with paper at work and at home. One very helpful tool to own is a scanner, whether or not you want to go “paperless” (is there such a thing?). Gone are the days when having a flat bed scanner or even an all-in-one printer will suffice for scanning needs. We desire a tool that uses little effort and produces fast results… or let’s face it – we won’t scan things. Here’s a video I did to show you how my favorite scanner, the Fujitsu ScanSnap works.
Caution: Watching this video may cause you to spend money.. on a scanner!
Natalie Conrad is an organization consultant, speaker, and author in Northern California. She is also the founder of Organized Habits, a premier organizing firm, serving national and local clients in homes and small business settings. She is passionate about organizing as she believes that the clutter holds one back from pursing their life long goals and dreams. Visit Natalie’s blog for more articles like this by going to www.OrganizedHabits.com/blog
Sherry Borsheim, a Paper Tiger Expert of Simply Productive, provides a list of things to look for in file cabinets and tips to setting up your filing system to get organized, stay organized and be more productive!
Also check out Sherry’s Organizing Bootcamps that will give you a JUMP-START on ORGANIZING your office, home and life. She will give you her trade secrets and steps to setting up your organizing systems, including recommending Paper Tiger filing system software for document management, to be organized and manage the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical stuff in your life.
Most offices and homes still have a lot of paper. Going completely paperless is not for everyone, and there are some papers you must keep in original format. Papers can often pile up because your filing cabinet or file system doesn’t function properly. Poorly functional, inexpensive file cabinets can cause more frustration and stress, and stop you from filing altogether.
Before you buy, build or set up a new filing system or file drawers, assess your current filing cabinet requirements. Including how easy it is to retrieve and file away your papers. Review my top tips that you must know before you buy your next filing cabinet or build filing drawers in your kitchen or home office.
When your file drawers and filing cabinets are not functioning properly, you are less likely to use them, and papers will pile up.
The next time you are looking at a file cabinet, designing a file drawer, or buying a container to store your filing system in, ensure it is easy to use and retrieve papers from, well made, highly functional and fit in with the design of your office or home.
To reduce back strain and the twisting motion when you are sitting at your desk chair and reach for a file set up your files facing towards you. Not all file drawers will accommodate this, but you can buy “front to back” file bars for many filing cabinets that allow you to switch your files so they face you when you open a lateral file drawer.
Also, if you have a desk drawer, see if you can turn the files so they face you when you open the drawer while sitting at your chair. These two ergonomic tips make a huge difference for ease of use and reduce strain on your back and shoulders.
Spruce up your drab file cabinet with wallpaper that inspires you and fits into your décor. Casey Green at Fossil and Design Sponge shows you step-by-step how simple and fun Casey’s wallpaper do-it-yourself file drawers project is!
You can purchase hanging file frames from Staples that will fit securely inside most file drawers. You may need to cut the file frame down to fit your drawer. It’s a bit of a workout doing this and requires some muscle. Personally I use a hack saw with a blade for sawing metal. Wire cutters are not strong enough.
If the file frame is too large or doesn’t fit, then the next option is to buy hanging file containers like the picture here. You can drop several of these inside the file drawer so you can use hanging files or file folders and they stay in place without flopping around.
A product like Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol will remove stickers from metal file cabinets and will clean them up so they look attractive again. Always test the product first in an area that won’t show.
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Original article posted at http://www.simplyproductive.com/2012/07/filing-cabinet-must-know-tips-to-stay-organized-productive/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
Sherry Borsheim is the president of Simply Productive. You can visit Sherry, access her free article archive and grab lots of free stuff at http://www.simplyproductive.com. Sherry lives in Vancouver, BC Canada with her husband (her high-school sweetheart).
Printed with permission.
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You keep meaning to get your home and office in order so you can enjoy organized living; it just keeps getting put off. The idea of trying to organize everything and de-clutter seems like such a daunting task, even though you know it will make you feel much better and less stressed in the long run.
There are all those paper files, books, training binders, DVDs and video games to straighten up. When you need to find a book, it takes more time than it’s worth to find it! There are winter clothes to move to storage and summer clothes to fetch, if you can remember which bin in the basement that you’ve put them. You also have that collection of NASCAR souvenirs or another treasured collection, some to showcase and some to store for safekeeping.
The good news is that you no longer have to put it off. By implementing Paper Tiger Online filing system software, you can now de-clutter and feel confident to put things in their own place and be able to find them again when you need them. It will be so worth the time invested to get organized, because you won’t be wasting time afterward with time-consuming searches for needed items.
Paper Tiger can be used for paper files, but also for many other physical items. Anything that you can put a number onto, you can index with your filing system software. This is especially important for items that may be kept in more than one location. So, for example, if you are going to keep some collectible items on display and want to store some in your home and others at a rented storage unit, this helps you recall what ended up where. If you manage any kind of online selling of items too, this software is a must have. All those items you keep in your home because you’re afraid that if you put them away, you won’t remember where you put them, can now be stored somewhere else. This will free up so much space in your home and you can have your home back!
So, take one room at a time, and find out what needs sorting, organizing and filing. Then, decide what you would like to keep in the home, what you would like to box up and keep either in the basement, a rented storage unit or some other type of storage space. Then type in the information into the filing system database, indexing or cataloging each item with item name and keywords, including where the item will be stored, and get back to having organized living. Any changes or moves you make to your physical items can also be adjusted in your filing system database, and you’ll always be able to track your items.
After your home is organized, go through your office. Start with the top of your desk. Find a ‘home’ for everything – the right place on your desk for each item that will help you work more efficiently. Take one stack of paper files at a time, and then one drawer at a time, and index the items in your hanging file folders into Paper Tiger’s database.
Don’t feel like you have to ‘get organized’ all in one day! Make a list of each room in the order in which you want to get organized. Then schedule time on your calendar, allotting the amount of time you want to spend for each room. Some rooms, like the garage, might take more than a couple of hours in one day, so schedule a couple of hours in two different days. It might even be helpful to create a plan of action for an area that is too overwhelming – making a list of what items you want to organize first, then second, etc., in a room so that it won’t seem too much at one time.
How many times have you thought, ‘I really need to clean out the garage, but it will take so long, and I have to do this and that, before I tackle that huge job’, and it just never gets done? If you schedule an hour to sort through and organize the sports equipment on one day, then on another day, take an hour to sort through and organize the tools.
A digital filing system that enables you to index physical items, makes it easy to track things. If you had a folder for your car repairs and needed to refer to it, could you be certain you could find it when you needed it? Would you remember if you titled it car, auto, Honda or repairs? Did you put it in a file or is it in that huge stack ‘to be filed’?
By using a digital filing system, you can type in any of those keywords and be able to find it with a quick search in the software database. With the old method, all you had was an alphabetical system, which obviously has worked, as long as you could recall the name you filed it under previously – maybe not as efficient as it could be. Digital filing systems take all the confusion out of the equation, even if more than one person is using the system.
Some people are converting their filing systems to a more paperless environment, and Google Docs is great for storing the digital files that are scanned. We recommend using the Digital Tiger function in Paper Tiger Online filing system software to connect to Google Docs for a combined document management software solution. Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, is a free add-on with a paid Paper Tiger Online (Basic or Pro plan for now), to connect your Paper Tiger Online account to your Google Docs account. You can still index your paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical items such as books and manuals into Paper Tiger Online, and use Google Docs through a Google or Gmail account for your digital file storage. Google Docs is the lowest cost digital file storage system available, and is more convenient than storing your digital files on your hard drive (or multiple computers) that would take up valuable memory, or keeping up with CDs or Flash Drives.
Combining Paper Tiger’s indexing method, there’s a way to organize and index all those items that simply cannot be scanned, i.e., passports, contracts, binders, books, CDs, DVDs, items in safe deposit box, etc. Then by using the Digital Tiger function in Paper Tiger Online, you will be able to search and find both your paper/physical items that you’ve indexed into Paper Tiger and your digital files that you’ve uploaded or created into Google Docs format relating to the same keyword search from one software system, Paper Tiger.
If you choose to use the combined digital software solution with Paper Tiger Online and Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, you will be setting yourself up for organized living so that you can find anything in five seconds or less!
One of the things that many people worry about when it comes to their computers is how safe are their electronic or digital files. After all, there are many things that can happen to cause people to lose important files, like a computer crash or a virus that corrupts your harddrive, and often, it is pretty much impossible to get these files back once they are lost. Thank goodness there is a really easy way to get around this problem; and that is to use a digital filing system that is Internet based, like Google Docs. That way, no matter what computer you are using, you can access the files you want, and if something happens that causes you to lose files on your computer, you will be able to access them through the Internet. You will never lose a file again when you are using an Internet digital filing system.
Computers can be truly wonderful things, but when they are not working right, they can also be some of the most annoying machines in the world. There are all kinds of little problems that can crop up for computer users, with one of the most common being computer crashes. Unfortunately, most of the time when a computer crashes, there is no way that you can get back the information that you had stored on it. This means that you will lose all of your files, including really important things such as family photographs, or that critical presentation from the office that would take hours to recreate. Instead of waiting for something like this to happen, you can have all of the files on your computer organized, or at least backed up to an online digital filing system. That way, even if you do have a computer crash and lose everything on your harddrive, you will still have access to all of your important files.
Because of the Internet, it is possible for many people to be able to work from anywhere they want, and they don’t have to be chained to a desk in an office all day long. If you want to do work from home and your employer has given you the go ahead, you are going to need to be able to access certain files just the same as you would from the office. If your employer is using a digital filing system, you will be able to access all of the files you need to be able to do your job from anywhere, using any computer. This means that even if you are not able to make it to work, such as on a day when there is severe weather, you will still be able to get your work done, especially if you are on a tight deadline.
There are a lot of advantages to using a digital filing system. You can access files from anywhere in the world, so even if you are traveling on business and you have forgotten an important file at the office, as long as it is in a digital system, you can get your hands on it. If your employer is not already using a digital filing system, make the suggestion as soon as you can. You may even receive credit for saving the company time and money.
Using Google Docs, you can store your digital files, and you will also be able to work on the files in the same location that they are stored. Google Docs is part of the Google Eco System that includes Google Apps through a Google or Gmail account – there are modules to perform word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, calendar, to-do list, contacts, photos, music, etc. This makes it very easy to work on the files you are storing in Google Docs.
In addition, if you want to continue to use your Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel or PowerPoint), you can do that and get many of the benefits of the Google Cloud. Google’s product “Cloud Connect” allows you to continue to use your Microsoft Office software on your local computer but store, share and collaborate. This is a great way to use software that you already know but have the benefits of the cloud, including automatic backup, using Google. See Google Cloud Connect…..Sync Your Microsoft Office Documents
Google Docs makes sharing and/or collaborating your digital files very easy. Now you can scan in your paper and immediately share the PDFs with your business associates.
Google Docs (all your digital files) can even be backed up offline to your local computer, as you can see from this article at Now You Can Backup Your Google Docs to Your Local Drive!; or you can select another service that will automatically and constantly backup all your files stored in Google Docs (including your GMail – Google Mail) to another entirely different system for safekeeping.
You can now Work Offline With Your Google Account and, Google Docs users not only have the ability to easily share and collaborate with others, to view data from any web device, but also have the peace of mind of automated backups, for an efficient document management system for organizing digital files.
We recommend using the Digital Tiger function in Paper Tiger Online filing system software to connect to Google Docs for a combined document management software solution. You can still index your paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical items such as books and manuals into Paper Tiger Online, and use Google Docs through a Google or Gmail account for your digital file storage. Google Docs is the lowest cost digital file storage system available, and is more convenient than storing your digital files on your hard drive (or multiple computers) that would take up valuable memory, or keeping up with CDs or Flash Drives.
Some people are converting their filing systems to a more paperless environment, and Google Docs is great for storing the digital files that are scanned. Combining Paper Tiger’s indexing method, there’s a way to organize and index all those items that simply cannot be scanned, i.e., passports, contracts, binders, books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Then by using the Digital Tiger function in Paper Tiger Online, you will be able to search and find both your paper/physical items that you’ve indexed into Paper Tiger and your digital files that you’ve uploaded or created into Google Docs format relating to the same keyword search from one software system, Paper Tiger. Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, is a free add-on with a paid Paper Tiger Online (Basic or Pro plan for now), to connect your Paper Tiger Online account to your Google Docs account.
If you choose to use the combined document management software solution with Paper Tiger Online and Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, you will be setting yourself up for enhanced productivity for the future so that you can find anything in five seconds or less!
Do you work from multiple computers, such as your computer at work, your home computer and your laptop? If so, then you probably already have a pretty good idea of how difficult it can be to keep all of your digital files in order and how much of a pain it is to look for a digital file, only to remember that it is on a different computer or CD or Flash Drive.
Let’s say that you had to call in to work sick, but there are things you can do from home that will keep you from getting too far behind. Sure, you have the capabilities to do the work, but unless you have the right files, which of course are going to be on your work computer, there isn’t a whole lot you can do but wait until you are back at the office.
Then you also have to think about keeping up with technology….remember the floppy disk? Did you remember to copy files to a newer digital file storage location before getting a computer that doesn’t accept floppy disks? This can be a real problem.
There is one way that you can overcome the problem of not having the files you need on every computer that you use. All you have to do is get them organized, and take advantage of a digital filing system. Sure, you probably have some sort of system on each of the computers that you use, but this isn’t going to help you when you are using a different computer and need to access a file that is not on it. In addition to having a system on each of the computers you use, why not use an Internet based filing system? Then, you can access whatever files you need, when you need them, from any computer that you are using.
You don’t have to limit yourself to just storing your business files with a digital filing system. You probably have all kinds of personal files, from family photographs to personal documents, and you can organize all of these and access them easily from any computer when you have them integrated into an online digital filing system. Only you, and anyone you share individual files with (such as employees who need access to certain files), will have access to any information that is stored in these files.
It happens all the time – a computer crashes and we lose everything that has been stored on it. You could be losing a lot of important files, from business files to your own personal files, and there is no way that you will be able to get these files back, unless you have a good back up system. When you use an online digital filing system, you will never have to worry about losing anything again.
Instead of having to wade through a ton of paperwork to get to a file, or not being able to access a digital file because you are not at the right computer, have all of your digital files organized with an online digital filing system. You will be able to get to on any file you need in seconds, no matter where you are and what computer you are using.
We recommend using the Digital Tiger function in Paper Tiger Online filing system software to connect to Google Docs for a combined document management system software solution, you can still index your paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical items such as books and manuals into Paper Tiger Online, and use Google Docs through a Google or Gmail account for your digital file storage. Google Docs is the lowest cost digital file storage system available, and is more convenient than storing your digital files on your hard drive (or multiple computers) that would take up valuable memory, or keeping up with CDs or Flash Drives.
Some people are converting their filing systems to a more paperless environment, and Google Docs is great for storing the digital files that are scanned. Combining Paper Tiger’s indexing method, there’s a way to organize and index all those items that simply cannot be scanned, i.e., passports, contracts, binders, books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Then by using the Digital Tiger function in Paper Tiger Online, you will be able to search and find both your paper/physical items that you’ve indexed into Paper Tiger and your digital files that you’ve uploaded or created into Google Docs format relating to the same keyword search from one software system, Paper Tiger. Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, is a free add-on with a paid Paper Tiger Online (Basic or Pro plan for now), to connect your Paper Tiger Online account to your Google Docs account.
Again, we recommend using Google Docs through a Gmail or Google account. Google Docs is Google’s free, web-based office suite that provides word processor, spreadsheet and slide show solutions similar to Microsoft Office. Using Google Docs, you can create and edit new documents online, upload documents created on your local computer or document attachments sent via email. (Note: the 1st GB of digital storage with Google is free. Click here to see more information on Google Docs digital file storage and at Google’s knowledge base here: http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1047457)
In addition, Google Docs can also be used as a reliable and budget friendly digital file storage solution for all your file types including document management for electronic files, video, music and image files.
Google Docs allows you to upload and store files in the cloud. You can upload both files and folders, including an array of file types ranging from document types to image types to video formats. Here are some of the things you can do when you upload files or folders to Google Docs:
Uploaded files have the same privacy and security as any of your other documents in Google Docs. Additionally, the default visibility setting for uploaded files is “Private.”
An uploaded file or folder can be up to 10GB. If you’d like to convert a file to Google Docs format, the size limit depends on the file type. Learn more about size limits in Google Docs.
If your Document List is sorted by Priority, uploaded files and folders may not show at the top. If you’d like your uploaded files and folders to show at the top of your Documents list, you should switch to the Last Modified view.
Google Docs also allows for real-time collaboration with other GDocs users, file sharing, and access documents on your mobile device. You can share any uploaded file with another person, and you have full control over who can do what with your shared files. If you’ve converted that file to Google Docs format, you can also collaborate on that document in real-time with other people, meaning that everyone that you share a document with can edit the document at the same time, and each person be able to view the changes real-time. So, when the shared file is updated, there is no need to re-send it as an email attachment, because it is automatically updated for everyone.
Click here to see more information on how Google Docs works.
As you can see from this article at Now You Can Backup Your Google Docs to Your Local Drive!, Google Docs users not only have the ability to easily share and collaborate with others, to view data from any web device, but also have the peace of mind of automated backups, for an efficient document management system for organizing digital files.
The article below is a great start to declutter your home or office and a plan for beginning and maintaining a recycling program for unwanted items.
For the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other items, such as instruction booklets, or CDs, DVDs, Books, home or office inventory and many other physical items, use Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management to get organized!
For the paper files that you plan to scan for a more paperless (or less paper) environment, use Google Docs as your digital file storage location. Google Docs is the lowest cost digital file storage system available through a Google or Gmail account. And Google Docs would be more convenient than storing your digital files on your hard drive which would take up valuable memory, or keeping up with CDs or Flashdrives.
In addition, Paper Tiger Online Basic and Pro plans have Digital Tiger functionality, which allows customers to connect their Paper Tiger Online account to their Google Docs account. Then they will be able to search from one place to find both their paper/physical items that they’ve indexed into Paper Tiger and their digital files that they’ve uploaded or created into Google Docs format.
Recycling is the most important part of waste management for a home or office to prevent landfills from getting bigger and bigger. Reducing the collective carbon footprint is possible if each individual participates. Offices tend to be impersonal places where employees may not think about what they throw away. Recycling needs to be as easy as leaves to a tree, so that everyone will do it. Here are 10 tips for encouraging employees to recycle waste in an office.
A well organised office will lend itself to a program of recycling. With knowledge and encouragement, employees will soon become accustomed to recycling; and not recycling will become unacceptable. Inform the entire office of the plan. Let the recycling team give tours of the new waste bins and how to use them. Employees need not feel forced into recycling, but they should see for themselves the benefit and want to participate.
About the Author:
John Brook writes reviews of stationery online as well as other business supplies and equipment at the Office Kitten.
You may already be familiar with the idea of using an indexing system to maintain better record management capabilities for your professional office paper files. In fact, you may even already be using Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management for your office needs. On the other hand, you may not be familiar with what an indexing system is, how it works or what you can do with it.
The important thing to keep in mind is that you can use this same indexing software system to declutter your life and organize almost anything. If it can be stored somehow and numbered, it can be indexed. Also, the great thing about using this type of indexing system is that it works for anything that can’t be scanned. So while some people are converting their filing systems to a more paperless environment, it leaves them with no way to organize and index all those items that simply cannot be scanned, i.e., passports, contracts, binders, books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
You put papers in a file for your car repair and then stick the file in your personal filing cabinet and that’s the end of that. When your spouse has to look up the amount of the last repair for some reason, he or she may not know if you filed it under “Toyota Repairs,” “Sheila’s Car” or “Mechanic Receipts” or it could be filed “Auto” or “Car”, so you see it could take a while to search through the alphabet in your filing cabinet(s) depending on how many drawers of paper files you have. With Paper Tiger’s indexing system, you simply number this file to coincide with the number assigned to it from the software, type in as many of those key search terms you can think of and file it away. When you or someone else has to retrieve the file, you use the search engine and can locate the file in a matter of seconds. It’s a hassle-free way to make your filing system manageable.
You don’t have to do this with just paper files though. Maybe you collect antique dolls, have a CD collection that is growing out of control or want to be able to keep better track of what type of seasonal clothing you are storing and where it is. By using an indexing system you can make all of this possible. Take the clothing as an example, which can be really out of hand if you have kids and therefore a great deal of clothing to put in some type of storage.
You may end up with some bins in the basement, some leather coats stored in climate controlled storage away from your home and more hanging in garment bags in the guest room closet. Trying to remember where all of these items are scattered can become confusing. If you use an indexing system you can number the bins or garment bags, type the item and location of each into your Paper Tiger database and always know where your seasonal items are even if they are not in your home.
This can be an extremely useful tool for those who sell items on places such as eBay and may store the items in various places. Just remember to update the system when new items come in and when one sold or is moved to a different location.
Paper Tiger is an indexing system for your paper files or other physical items that has an easy-to-use search engine built in so that lost information is virtually eliminated in your home or office. You would simply type in the information into the database relating to your physical files or other items to get organized so that you can find what you need when you need it, without time-wasting searches.
So for paper files, you would keep your paper in its original form (you do not have to scan it) and use the power of the computer to index the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format, and also be able to index other physical items as in the examples mentioned above. Paper Tiger can index anything that you can put a number onto!
When you’ve indexed your items into Paper Tiger, and you need to find an item later, you simply conduct a Google-like search in the database to find where the item is located.
This solves problems with filing or finding any physical item, such as:
If you haven’t already, please view our videos on our Why Paper Tiger page, which may help you understand better how Paper Tiger works. Please also see our Not Just For Filing Paper page for great examples for indexing other items in addition to paper files.
Getting organized and staying organized with paper files can seem difficult for most people, and therefore many companies are opting to go to a paperless office to get organized. This type of filing system may get rid of most paper in your office to make your desk look organized, but it can also add countless hours of document scanning in order to keep files up to date. Then there is the problem of renaming and finding the digital files after they have been scanned. So, how do you keep up with paper and digital files so that you can actually find them when you need them?
Paper Tiger Filing System software is different. It does not require scanning, but with the new Digital Tiger feature in Paper Tiger Online, this document management system can help your office have less paper and be able to retrieve the documents at the time you need them, whether they are in hard copy paper file format or digital file format.
Paper Tiger allows you to organize files in just a few moments by indexing those paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format. Digital Tiger, powered by Google Docs, is a free add-on with a paid Paper Tiger Online account (Basic and Pro plans for now), that allows you to connect your Paper Tiger Online account to your Google Docs account, then you will be able to search from one place to find both your paper/physical items and your digital files. The way Digital Tiger works is described on our web page at http://www.thepapertiger.com/digital_tiger.
To prepare for Digital Tiger, you can create, scan or upload your digital files to Google Docs format from your Gmail account. Google Docs is the online storage for your digital filing system. Again, Paper Tiger is for indexing the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other items, such as passports, instruction booklets, or CDs, DVDs, Books, home or office inventory and/or storage, etc., that just can’t be scanned.
Once you have set up your Paper Tiger Filing System account, it is time to start filing and organizing. It doesn’t matter how many files you have, Paper Tiger Filing System software can help you to get organized. We even provide tips and helpful hints and online video training for free to help you get started. For instance, we recommend starting with the files that you use the most and then adding a little more each day. Deciding with each file whether you need to keep it in hard copy file format or if you can scan and shred it. Before you know it, you will have a document management filing system that works and makes sense.
For the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format and other physical items, first you will create a ‘Location’ within the software’s database which will coincide to your physical location. Then, you decide how many folders or items you want in this Location. You can add more later if you need to. In the database, each row corresponds to a hanging file folder* in your desk drawer, file box, or filing cabinet. You set up numbered folders in advance (“Reference 1, Reference 2,” etc.), by printing tab labels from the software for this location and placing the tabs in your hanging folder plastic tabs. Once this is done, you type in information relating to each document in the database file location.When you file something, you type in a primary name in the database’s Item Name section, such as “Car Insurance.” Then you have a keyword field for all of the phrases you can think of that relate to that set of papers (“Honda, State Farm, Auto, Vehicle,” etc.)
You can give the document any name you want without any worry about finding it later because the keywords you type in that describe all documents that you put in your hanging file folders will work much like a Google search later when you need to find a file. Now, place your document (or documents relating to the same subject) in the corresponding hanging folder. Just like that, your filing cabinet is organized without all the extra time of scanning, electronic storage space and hassle that scanning presents. For documents that you want to add to the same file, simply edit the Item and add additional keywords necessary that relate to the new document(s) being filed. As you can see in the file folder picture above, you can even sub-divide with manilla folders. We simply added keywords for each manilla folder in the respective item number in the database. For example, in Reference 10, there are manilla file folders and keywords for Fedex, UPS, USPS, sub-dividing documents relating to each shipping service, and the Item Name in Paper Tiger is ‘Shipping Information’.
When you need to retrieve a file later, you just conduct a Google-like search in the software database for the keyword you’re thinking it might be filed under, and it tells you which folder to grab. You can retrieve anything from your file drawer in just a few seconds, as fast as you could Google something.
*When indexing other physical items, each row in the database corresponds to the item being indexed.
* You can’t decide what to name something: Since you are normally limited to what fits on the little folder tab with traditional filing systems, you must be succinct when naming a file folder. Sometimes paper files simply defy classification and are very difficult to name, with many subjects represented in one article, for example. With Paper Tiger, you can keyword all of those things and you’re covered.
* You don’t like slowing down to make new folders when you need to file: Using this filing system software, you easily create numbered hanging folders in advance, so you can have as many open hanging folders sitting there waiting in your filing cabinet as you like. When it’s time to file, it takes a few seconds to just type an item name and keywords relating to the documents and drop them in the folder. Some people are uncomfortable seeing only numbers in their file drawer. If you think about it though, wouldn’t it be wonderful to not have to re-do labels when you change your mind about a folder? Or have to create a new label every time you need to file a new document. It’s a shift in thinking to realize that your papers are supposed to be randomly filed and like folders may not necessarily be physically next to each other, but because there is a printed file index report, it is something that is easy to overcome.
* You can’t remember where you filed something: Because of the keywording and searching, you no longer have to remember this kind of information in your head. You can find it in just a few seconds by searching in the filing system software database or looking at the file index that can be printed from the database.
* People sharing files who cannot read minds: If the filing system is in someone else’s head, and that person goes on vacation or has to be out for medical leave or worse yet, leaves the company, you can’t find anything. This system prevents people from being in the dark about where things are.
In addition to organizing the paper files that you need to keep in hard copy format, you can also organize other items with Paper Tiger Filing System software such as passports, office supplies, CDs, DVDs, books, home or office inventory, and items you have in storage, etc. See our Not Just For Filing Paper webpage.
Items are right where they should be and are easier to find and you’ll know where to put the items back when they need to be returned. This makes the Paper Tiger Filing System much more than just an office management system; it is a life management system to help you get organized and stay organized!
During this webinar, Anne demonstrated the following to show how to use Paper Tiger more effectively so you can get organized and be more productive.
Find Anything In Your Office In 5 Seconds or Less…Guaranteed! Watch the webinar to learn more.
As information, Anne is a professional speaker, productivity expert, professional organizer and author. If you want to learn more about Anne and her services, please visit her website at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com. She may be in Colorado, but she’s nationally recognized as an expert and works with people throughout the US in person and virtually.
You can contact Anne at amcgurty@strategizeandorganize.com or by phone at 303 881-0174.
See more information here on Paper Tiger Filing System Software for Document Management
Q: If I convert a file to Google Docs format can I get the file back in the native file format?
A: Yes, open your Google Docs from your Gmail account, then the file you need, then click on File and select the option to ‘Download file as’ and you can select to download the file as whatever programs are offered for that file type.
Q: Is that rebooting or resetting for password available 24 hours a day?
A: If you don’t remember your password, you simply click on the Forgot my password link, answer the question and fill in your email that your Paper Tiger Online account is under, and you’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password
Q: There is concern about the security of the digital documents…. how secure are they?
A: See information regarding Google Security information that we’ve copied from their Security knowledge base.
Q: When scanning documents, do you always use PDF?
A: We do mainly because Google Docs will OCR the 1st 10 pages of PDFs when the file is uploaded, but may not OCR .jpg
Q: Do you know if there is a limit to space available per account.
A: We’ve captured some information from Google’s knowledge base regarding digital filing cloud storage space and limits and pricing tiers.
Q: If I were to switch from the desktop version to a web version can everything I have done be transferred to the web version?
A: Yes absolutely! You can import your desktop version database or have our support team import it for you. Email support@thepapertiger.com, attach the database and let them know what email your PTO account was created under.
Q: What if you have two different Google accounts
A: Paper Tiger Online will only connect to one of your Google accounts at a time.
