The Hidden Time Savings of Document Scanning: How Much Time Does Paper Really Cost You?
By: USA IMAGING, Inc.
In most workplaces, the true cost of managing paper isn’t just in storage—it’s in time. The time spent digging through filing cabinets, waiting for files to be delivered from archives, or re-filing misplaced documents can quickly add up. But because this time is scattered and often undocumented, it flies under the radar.
At USA IMAGING, Inc., we help businesses realize how much time paper is costing them—and how digital scanning pays that time back, with interest.
The Real-World Time Wasters of Paper
You may be surprised how much of your day is consumed by low-value, paper-related tasks. Here are a few examples we’ve seen firsthand:
Searching for a misplaced document: 10–20 minutes per search
Walking to and from file storage: 5–10 minutes each trip
Re-filing and organizing paper records: 1–2 hours per week per employee
Waiting for colleagues to return files: delay of hours or even days
Multiply that across a team, and you’re easily losing 20–40+ hours per month—just on paper!
Where Document Scanning Saves Time
Here’s how scanning transforms your document handling into a time-efficient system:
Instant Retrieval: Find any file in seconds with keyword search or index filters
Remote Access: Retrieve files without waiting on delivery or being onsite
Simultaneous Use: No more bottlenecks when two departments need the same file
Automated Filing: Files are digitally named, tagged, and organized automatically
Bulk Access: Open entire case files, folders, or departments with one click
What Could You Do with 40 Hours Back?
With just a few boxes of documents scanned, many of our clients report hours saved each week. Whether that reclaimed time goes to revenue-generating work, customer service, or simply less frustration—it’s a win.
In today’s fast-paced environment, efficiency is profitability. And digitizing your records is one of the easiest ways to get there.
Call to Action
Let us help you stop wasting time and start working smarter. Contact USA IMAGING, Inc. for a free consultation and see how many hours your business could reclaim every month.
