It's difficult to predict the ultimate influence of scanners of paper consumption. On the other hand, the digital documents created by scanners can be distributed over a network to numerous locations, where each recipient can print a hard copy. Virtually every professional worker who could use a computer has one. Due to the maturity of the market, the installed base of desktop PCs is expected to grow a conservative 10 percent or so over the next few years. That will increase the number of PCs and work stations from 75 million in 1994 to 107 million in 1998.
Most people find it easier to edit text on paper than on screen.
Likewise, unless you have a very large screen, following a spreadsheet of any size is much easier on paper. Today, information can be electronically generated, distributed and stored in many ways. High-density files in back offices, however, are rapidly giving way to electronic storage. Paper probably never will become extinct, but it may be reduced if technology ever gets used the way it was intended. A subsidiary of Herman Miller, Meridian, Inc. is a producer of contemporary steel file, storage and desking systems.