Is Paperless still a Myth?

By Darren Hartenstine

With the advent of electronic Data Management applications and digital formats, why are companies still printing on paper? I was reviewing some statistics around the printing industry and found the information alarming.  Here’s just one blurb I feel is noteworthy.

The pulp and paper industry is the single largest consumer of water used in industrial activities in OECD countries and is the third greatest industrial greenhouse gas emitter, after the chemical and steel industries (OECD Environmental Outlook, p. 218)

Green initiatives; sustainable design; these are great concepts, but is anyone actually making the effort to use less paper?  I know that a company cannot go 100% paperless (yet), but I feel that the Engineering Design process is a perfect component for this evolution.  The Autodesk Vault product family has some great tools to facilitate paperless design. 

In the last week as a test, I have tried to cut my paper use out completely and have struggled with it.  I am somewhat old school and use paper for note taking.  It seems to be faster for me up front, but in the long run, I know that it is inefficient and it often becomes difficult to locate past information.  I know it’s funny, but having that piece of paper is like comfort food.

I am interested in opinions, comments, experiences, etc. with companies/individuals that have attempted or successfully implemented a paperless design process.  Feel free to contact me via email or through this blog posting.  My email address is Darren.hartenstine@mastergraphics.com.