Why dematerialize?

Why is dematerialization gaining ground in the French business world? Ecological, in line with changes in the way people work, and with the evolution of legislation, dematerialization is a logical step in favor of exchanges between professionals or from a professional to a private individual (e.g. signing GTCs or sending mail....), both nationally and internationally.

Dematerialization is democratized because the law allows it

Until recently, there was a degree of legal uncertainty surrounding the digital switchover of companies. The management of contracts and pay slips, for example, raised questions about the security and legality of the electronic information systems put in place.

Yet, since the early 2000s, the "law of dematerialization" has continued to grow: Article 1366Modified by Ordonnance n°2016-131 of February 10, 2016

"An electronic document has the same probative value as a paper document, provided that the person from whom it originates can be duly identified and that it is drawn up and stored in conditions that guarantee its integrity.

The State, wishing to reduce paper document emissions and facilitate transparency, is even encouraging companies to go down the dematerialization route. Case in point: the El Khomri law which, from early 2017, made it possible to dematerialize payslips without employees' prior consent.

By creating a legislative environment conducive to digitalization, France is actively participating in the dematerialization of business.

Why dematerialize? Because it's good for the environment!

Invoices, contracts, quotes, purchase orders, newsletters: companies produce millions of documents every year. The paper resources these processes generate, in addition to their transport, are detrimental to the planet.

The electronic document thus represents an alternative solution. The goal for the years to come is to be paperless. This is one of the reasons why France is legislating the digitization of documents.

Dematerialization is adapted to new ways of working

One of the reasons why companies are increasingly interested in dematerializing documents is that this way of processing information is perfectly suited to new ways of working.

Transparency and fluidity between employees, with suppliers and customers, access to documents anywhere and anytime, easier teleworking: flexible methods are in vogue, and electronic services undeniably bring productivity gains. So it's often the employees themselves who ask for dematerialization.

The paper format is just as much rejected by customers, who have also adopted new habits. Suppliers and customers alike no longer see electronic signatures or invoices sent by e-mail as unusual. On the contrary, they are well aware of the advantages of dematerialization, and in most cases welcome it.