How do you define independent?

Point being that if you have a BD, they are the ones you need to talk to about paperlessness.

Just the other day my BD (I'm what you might call Independent, or you might not, depending on your set up) let it be known that all non firm software was going to have to be reviewed and approved.

I am hankering for a Docstar document system that would make all this paper go away into electronic limbo. I won't do it until I'm sure that the process is integratable(?) into the downtown systems.

Further, there are plenty plenty of files that the auditors will want to have access to. Until the NASD  and SEC sign off on paperlessness (which would make that whole issue of evidencing shredding after x number of years so much easier) I think you can forget going paperless.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure.

When you say paperless, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?

Reason why I ask is that I am in the forms business, maintaining  forms/ fillable forms for about 100+ insurance companies.

I'm now starting to explore the B/D space and trying to find out where the need is.

Do you see a need in automating the new account forms adn suitability forms or is the need elsewhere?  thanks.

[quote=hoopfan]

Hi,

We are an independents and we are looking into going paperless. Has anyone done this yet? If so who did you use?

I am a staff writer for RR mag. I just wrote a newsletter this week about "paperless" offices and document management, http://registeredrep.com/wealthmanagement/cost_of_paper_02_27_2008/

I have my own B/D and we clear through a national firm.  All client documents and correspondence is managed in a paperless format via them (we just fax it to them and it automatically is scanned and shows up on the account).  All in house documents that aren’t scanned this way  (there really aren’t that many) are scanned via Paperport Professional.  It’s weird but the simple software is actually very fast and easy to use and each client has their own file. 

As was said, some files are required to be kept and that’s fine.  When Finra comes in they usually just give us a list of accounts to review and we make a CD for them of everything and almost always, that’s more than enough for them.  After going paperless we went from 22 file drawers to 2.  That’s a major difference for a small firm.

We are a 7 person firm with 400 clients that just did a full-on conversion to a paperless system.



We condensed 10 filing cabinet drawers filled with new account documents, faxes, and other items into a computer file no more than 2 gb, and 4 hanging file folders.



All in all, we initiated the process at the end of March, and had a target completion date of May 1st. We completed everything in less than 3 weeks, and are thrilled with the way things have worked.



It’s worth doing!



C

[quote=hoopfan]

Hi,

We are an independents and we are looking into going paperless. Has anyone done this yet? If so who did you use?

Try Redtail, they do  document Storage, CRM and Email archiving you. Their about the most inexpensive way to go and have a great product.

Checkout https://useanvil.com/wealth


We not only help you store and manage documents, but create a modern web based workflow to eliminate tedious tasks such as data-entry, and drawing boxes in DocuSign to setup signatures.

a good option to go with.