5 apps for a paperless (or paper-light) office

As our world becomes increasingly mobile, minimizing the professional paper trail has become not only a concern of environmentalists; it’s also top of mind for those seeking efficiency. This group of eco-friendly and time-saving apps moves you toward a paperless office, while helping you manage contacts, submit paperless applications and share large files safely and securely.

For more app advice, check out the rest of our series:

3 classic tech tools

3 apps that let you work from anywhere

5 free apps every advisor should know about

5 social media apps that make networking easy

4 apps for portfolio analysis

laserfiche

1. Laserfiche.

Advisors need a robust enterprise content management system that moves them toward a paperless office, according to Winterberg, and Laserfiche fits the bill, with document imaging, document management, business process management and records management all baked into its system architecture. “It helps organize large volumes of information that they gather about clients, about their business, employees and compliance,” he explains. “It also opens up new collaborative possibilities with other professionals such as CPAs and attorneys. It really helps advisors champion that quarterback position.”

2. Redtail CRM.

Redtail is an up-and-comer in the CRM world, for its affordability ($65 a month for up to 15 users), user-friendliness and flexible, accommodating web-based architecture. Advisors like it because it’s a subscription-based service, with support built in and no hardware or software to install, which may not only lessen the administrative burden but also the need for outsourcing tech help.

3. FireLight e-fulfillment.

This tablet-ready electronic fulfillment application tool from Insurance Technologies manages the entire application data-collection process, saving time and paperwork. It overlays directly on carrier written applications, so the interface is familiar and requires minimal training. “It empowers agents in the field to close deals and get the client’s signature on a tablet with a signing pad,” explains Jim Ferrell, vice president at Insurance Technologies. “It really cuts down not only on the time filling out paperwork, but also improves the speed of issue and the speed of electronic transfer of funds,” adds Mark Fitzgerald, national sales manager for Saybrus Partners, whose parent, the Phoenix Companies, uses FireLight to power its new eApp for fixed index annuities.

4. Byallaccounts.

Eliminate time-sucking data retrieval and redundant manual data entry using this aggregation system, which electronically gathers client account data and feeds it directly into a portfolio management or CRM system.

5. DropBox. FREE!

A cloud-based file-sharing tool designed for secure drag-and-drop file exchange.

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