For some agencies, it may be prudent to start small. In this instance, the small implementation may help prepare workers for a later jump, plus allow better analysis of other automation or workflow issues. In some cases, increased automation means upgrading equipment or systems. Dehm notes that they were fortunate because of The Flanders Group's migration to Sagitta, which required equipment upgrades anyway. Boyle says that agencies may consider a single workstation for information retrieval and storage, but foresight is needed to accurately gauge future needs.
New systems allow direct imaging from e-mail and faxes as well as traditional scanning.
These capabilities show that one key to all of these solutions is the necessity of scalability or system flexibility. Dehm reminds those who are considering this direction to first evaluate the agency and the people in it. Some principals still don't fully understand the cost benefits of computerization. Greves agrees and adds that implementing a new technology such as imaging calls for people who are willing to make the change and be committed to a new direction. Granted, systems can be expensive.