Digital data replaces mountains of paper

Digitization makes it possible to turn stacks of paper files and CDs into bits and bytes. These can be copied, archived and sent off within the virtual space in a matter of seconds.

However, digitization means more than just convenience: it also helps us make sparing use of valuable resources. Deutsche Telekom was quick to recognize this potential and transform it into environmentally friendly products and solutions.

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Digitization helps save valuable resources.

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Digitization helps save valuable resources.

Reducing paper consumption
Applications, orders, accounts – administration departments face towering mounds of files. Digitizing documents ensures that less paper is used, printers remain silent and a lot less time is spent on administration. With its Managed Document Service package, T-Systems offers to help organizations make the move from paper to e-mail correspondence. For around 50 T-Systems customers, the service has resulted in total savings of around 200 metric tons of paper per year.

In order to reduce its own paper consumption, Deutsche Telekom has introduced online payroll accounting in Germany. Some 800 Telekom Shops now also use electronic pens. These have a special integrated camera that captures all features of a signature such as form, pressure and speed. The signed contract only has to be printed out once for the customer, while the copy for Deutsche Telekom is archived automatically in electronic format. This halves the volume of printouts and gives staff considerably more time to spend with their customers. While the contract is in force, online billing ensures that customer accounts are managed without paper. One third of all T-Home customers – almost 10 million households – now benefit from this service, enabling us to save over 1,500 tons of paper each year.

Environmentally friendly downloads
Music, films, video games and software – in digital format they are not only available quickly and conveniently but also occupy minimum space during storage and put less stress on the environment. Downloading a computer game from the Internet makes it possible to save over 80 percent of CO2 compared with buying a CD-ROM. This is the result of a study published by First Climate, a leading provider of climate-neutral services. According to the study, manufacturing CD-ROMs, their packaging and shipping routes do far more harm to the environment than operating servers, PCs and monitors during the download process.

Replacing hardware
Virtualization even makes it possible to replace whole devices. For many years, T Home customers have been able to use a voice mailbox as a virtual answering machine, which does away with the need for them to buy and operate a device of their own. T-Systems offers Deutsche Telekom's business customers solutions that reduce the number of scanners, printers and fax devices in their offices. Standby times are also cut thanks to ICT-driven optimal device utilization.