Why You Should Switch to Paperless Invoicing?
Paper is an integral part of our lives since its invention in 105 AD. We use papers for a number of reasons in our daily work routine and today it has completely transformed the way we communicate, record history or write down literature. Paper invention has led to other inventions like new cleaning products, printing and even foods and not to forget that the benefits paper provides to millions of freelancers and businesses world-wide. Paper is portable, thinner and smaller and today it has become such an inseparable part that we cannot imagine our world if it vanishes. But, it is the only way to let us know how precious paper is for us.
We are well aware of the significance of invoicing in a business enterprise. Paper invoicing helps in receiving the payment for the products offered or services rendered to the clients by your venture but, are you aware of the truth that how much harm paper invoices cause to the environment and the major contributors or culprits in this process are corporate America and freelancers. A survey by oDesk revels that out of 70,000 plus US based contractors, 32% have opted to become freelancers after the job cut. Freelance designers are being offered plenty of job opportunities by the web and these opportunities are not limited to just one but they can come from anywhere around the world. And the same goes for freelance writers, this is because today businesses seek for the convincing content for their websites, blogs and reviews and even twitter account. The report of Strategies of Management predicts that there will be an increase in freelancers gross revenues from over $3.4 billion in 2004 to over $3.8 billion in 2009 and the number of graphic design freelancers is expected to rise by the end of decade from its present figure that is 74,000 to over 86,000.
The fifty largest graphic design firms which only comprise less than 1% of the number of establishments but result for over 16% or $1.3 billion of the total invoicing, which is an enormous figure. This would give you an idea how much paper is being wasted in invoicing alone.
In addition, the number of paper invoices generated by corporate America is even more alarming. About 13 billion invoices are traded annually from US, which implies that around 25 billion pieces of paper being used in the offices every year.
There is a 10% total tree cut down globally for generating invoices and the electricity used in creating the paper invoices is equivalent to the consumption of 20 million households.
It is time we learn a lesson from the European Union. There has been a legal obligation for businesses running in European Union to accept electronic invoices since January 1 2004.
A study has also revealed that it is possible to cut down invoicing cost by 70%. Switching merely a 50% from current paper invoice to electronic invoice would save almost one million trees and 240,000 tons of paper every year. Apart from monetary benefit, it is also in the interest of our environment. Therefore, why do not we all make a sincere effort to protect our environment and switch to online invoicing?
About Invoicera:
Invoicera is an online invoicing and time tracking software which is specifically designed keeping simplicity and online invoicing convenience in mind, while at the same time offering the best of the breed invoicing features.
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