Paperwork is essential to any job but can sometimes become a pain to handle. Without proper organization, your files can quickly get messy, making it difficult to find vital documents when needed. However, dealing with the paperwork doesn’t have to be complicated. With these seven tips and tricks, you can improve how you handle your documents and boost your productivity.  Using electronic signatures wherever possible is an excellent way to reduce the amount of paperwork in your office. An electronic signature is a digital image that appears when a document is emailed or posted on a website. Businesses often request these signatures when signing contracts and other legal documents.  Creating an electronic signature doesn’t have to be difficult. With online tools like PDFSimpli, you can create and add an electronic signature for free to your documents in just a few clicks.  Most offices deal with many different types of documents, including receipts, contracts, reports, invoices, and much more. Instead of keeping all these documents in the same pile, sorting them based on type would be best. You can further categorize each document by creating subfolders. For example, rather than having a single folder for all clients, you can create a subfolder for each client. That way, you can quickly find what you’re looking for without digging through the whole stack.  You probably have documents that you’ve time-stamped for future reference. After sorting your paperwork by type, you can further arrange them chronologically or alphabetically. For instance, after creating subfolders for your clients, you can file their documents based on the date you received them, from the newest to the oldest. You could also organize these files based on how frequently you use them.  Not every paper you receive is worth saving. So, before filing anything, ask yourself if you’ll need it in the future. If you can answer yes, then create its folder.  Keeping every unnecessary document will only clutter your office and make it harder to find what you need. Crucial documents you should keep could include bank statements, tax returns, insurance documents, and legal documents. Another way of staying on top of it is learning how to create a records retention schedule, this way, you’ll know how long to keep documents and went it’s time to discard them safely. Document shredding is essential for securely disposing of sensitive information, preventing identity theft, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Once you’re finished organizing your documents, you need to find a place to store them safely. A filing cabinet is an excellent option for storing important papers, but it can take up a lot of space in your office.  Another option is storage boxes that you can store under your desk or on a shelf in your office. Storage boxes occupy less space than cabinets and are usually less expensive.  However, cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox are the most convenient way of storing documents. These services allow you to keep files online and access them from any computer with an Internet connection. Color codes can save you time and effort browsing your files. You can add a colored sticker to each folder to help you remember their contents at a glance. For instance, you could use a green sticker for client invoices and blue stickers for invoices.  In addition, you can label your files and folders with a header that will help you identify them quickly. Your labels can contain extra information about specific folder contents, such as dates, events, or titles. Whether you use filing cabinets or storage boxes, you need to ensure that everything is well-organized and accessible. Ideally, it would help if you stored groups of related documents together in related folders. Moreover, you could also consider investing in a file shelf to place on top of your desk. These shelves are great for keeping documents you frequently access within easy reach. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

ERP systems are widely used in all sorts of industries today, and yet it’s easy to misunderstand their function or misinterpret their benefits if you’ve never encountered one yourself. To bring you onboard with all that this type of platform has to offer, stick around as we talk you through a few core concepts, and also discuss what it takes to select the perfect option for your organization. An Overview of ERP Systems and Their Benefits An ERP system is essentially software that helps manage your company’s daily operations by collecting data related to financials, inventory management, human resources management and customer relationship management in one centralized location. This empowers you with real-time insights into your company’s performance while helping streamline processes such as accounting tasks or sales order tracking. It also facilitates collaboration between departments within your organization which can help improve productivity and efficiency levels significantly over time. The cost savings associated with using an ERP system should not be overlooked either – from reduced overheads to enhanced scalability, you’ll be able to grow your business faster and more effectively. Finally, ERP systems are incredibly user friendly for non-tech personnel too – so don’t let the tech jargon intimidate you! By understanding how an ERP system can help streamline processes and increase efficiency within your organization, you’ll be better equipped to make a decision that best suits the needs of your business in terms of costs versus performance. Exploring Specialist ERP Solutions, e.g. for Installations You don’t have to settle for a generic system to oversee your business’ operations if you occupy a particular industry niche that has unique needs to address. For instance, with specialist services like OpusFlow you can enjoy ERP software for sustainable installations, delivering a platform that’s tailored to the particular requirements of companies that serve customers in this sphere. Of course in a market this vast, you might struggle to make a decision even if you are focused on specialist services, so next let’s look at how you can weigh up rival ERP tools and pick the best option available. How to Evaluate the Different ERP Systems for Your Company Evaluating an ERP system for your business can be a tricky process. With so many different providers, it’s important to know how to determine which one is the right choice for your company. Here are a few tips to help you make an informed decision: First, research different ERP systems and their features. Consider the size and type of business you have, and make sure the ERP system you choose offers the features and services you need. Second, review customer reviews. It’s important to get feedback from customers who’ve used the ERP system to get an accurate idea of how it works. Read customer reviews, both positive and negative, to get a better understanding of the system. Third, talk to the vendor. Ask questions about their product and services, as well as their customer support. This will give you a better idea of how well the system works, as well as how reliable the vendor is. Finally, consider your budget. Make sure the ERP system you choose fits within your financial capabilities. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the vendor to get a better price. Wrapping Up Now that the secrets of ERP systems are known to you, it’s time to start your search for a suitable solution in earnest. Don’t be shy about testing out several platforms before you make a final choice, as this will give you a taste of what different vendors can bring to the table. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals