The labor cost of collecting, creating, and maintaining paper files is huge. Since an HR department is strictly overhead, producing no revenue of its own, it is normally very sensitive to budget considerations. Imaging is a great way to not only improve the productivity of an HR department, but to also help reduce the overall cost of operating the department. The basic function of an imaging system is to provide fast, easy access to files. While a computer system does this also, it does it in a different way.
Computer systems provide access to data.
An imaging system provides access to files. For example, consider an employee file. Some of the information in that file is undoubtedly also in the computer system. However, there is also a significant number of items in the employee file that are typically not in the computer system. These might include the employee's original job application, a resume, correspondence to and from the employee, copies of licenses or certificates, and perhaps performance reviews.