Document Management News

Councils across the UK are missing out on total annual savings of £1bn through inefficient document management and production processes, according to research from content and process management firm Limehouse Software.

Research using over 2,000 documents from a sample of 134 councils was undertaken to map activities, costs and resources used in the planning and production of the documents.

"Given the sheer number of documents that are produced each year by local government, this study aims to highlight where, when and how real savings can be delivered against a backdrop of declining government support grants and increased pressures for substantial operational cost and headcount reduction," said Nick Kingsbury of Limehouse Software.

Limehouse said £1bn could be saved from the document production process through improved business processes, design and print. It said a single large council could save up to £2.6m a year by improving business processes.

A large council could also save up to £290,000 a year through improved graphic design services, and better print management could deliver up to £300,000 in savings, said Limehouse.