Mobile solutions vs. paper forms: How to compare costs
Cost comparison between paper forms and mobile solutions: direct costs, labour costs, error costs and storage. Which factors belong in the calculation.
Whether paper forms or a mobile solution are cheaper only becomes clear when you compare all cost types. Alongside the visible expenses for paper and hardware, working time, errors and storage all count.
Four cost types compared
- Direct costs. Paper forms require paper, printer ink and, where applicable, special pre-printed forms. Mobile solutions involve a purchase price for the hardware and software needed.
- Labour costs. Paper forms are filled in by hand and then transferred to a computer system. That takes time and staff. With a mobile solution, data is entered directly into the system.
- Error costs. Data that is entered incorrectly or transferred with mistakes means a task is not properly completed and has to be dealt with again later. A mobile solution captures data directly and avoids transfer errors.
- Storage and transport costs. Paper forms have to be stored, sorted, archived and often transported. Digitally captured data is stored directly.
Assessment
Direct costs are the easiest to quantify for both options. The bigger difference usually lies in the labour, error and storage costs, which arise continuously with paper forms. Only the sum of all four cost types shows which option is more economical for your organisation.
Key points
- Compare direct costs, labour costs, error costs and storage and transport costs.
- Paper forms generate ongoing costs through manual transfer and filing.
- Mobile solutions have a purchase price but save on the ongoing cost types.
How organisations capture forms on mobile devices with eMODAT is described on the page eMODAT.
This article comes from the DEVACON blog and was editorially revised for the new website.
More articles
In just a few steps to the mobile form: How quickly and easily eMODAT enables the creation of digital forms
The eMODAT form editor creates mobile forms without programming: define fields, set logic, publish to the app and evaluate the collected data directly.
Needs analysis for mobile forms solutions: The first step to successful implementation
The needs analysis is the first step to a mobile forms solution: interviews, process review, requirements and selection criteria for implementation.
Fast and effective: How to implement a mobile forms solution in a company
Steps to implement a mobile forms solution in a company: needs analysis, choosing a solution, building forms, training staff and starting operations.