Automated Document Conversion

Technological advances in our workplaces have made electronic documents pervasive throughout the USAF, DOD, and civilian world. Managers are recognizing the need to establish electronic document management systems to handle these diverse forms of documents. Unfortunately, they have been faced with essentially "reinventing the wheel," when it comes to determining which types of paper-based documents are best suited to conversion to an electronic format. There is also a lack of clearly identifiable cost factors associated with automated document conversion (ADC) for managers to use when conducting an economic analysis of a potential imaging application. This thesis addresses the problem of developing a practical solution to identify cost and mission effective ADC applications, and the primary cost factors associated with ADC, both tangible and intangible. While the researcher offers no statistically significant findings, valuable information is presented which helps managers identify ADC applications which will provide the most mission impact for their precious resources. It also provides an understanding of the tangible and intangible benefits of an ADC project, as identified by experts in the document imaging field. Additional "lessons learned" are related by the experts which provides information valuable to managers considering this technology for solving their own business problems.