A Convenient Truth: 6 Reasons Why Your Grant Applications Need to Go Paperless

Running any organization or business seems to become a burden under the weight of paper. However, more and more organizations are embracing cloud computing as the future - especially in regards to their grant application processes.

Should your grant applications go paperless? We've compiled 6 reasons why you should start embracing the cloud:

1. Real-time access to information
There are numerous advantages to storing applications and applicant information with a cloud solution. Managing grant applications in an online environment allows your organization to have quicker and easier access should any requests for information arise.

Availability is not limited to one's office computer, as cloud storage offers access from your tablet, home computer, or smartphone (given the right permissions).

2. Ease of Storage
There's nothing convenient or time-efficient about thousands of applications spread across several different filing cabinets in different rooms.

Online application management requires no more space than a single desktop computer or server. Since SmartSimple has backup servers in place, you eliminate costs associated with lost or destroyed physical documents.

3. A Greener Planet
Conservation and protection of the environment is what began the paperless movement. Small actions made by organizations all over the world can make a huge difference in conserving our forests. If your organization wants to start making an impact - however small - moving away from paper is a truly effective place to start.

4. More Time, More Money
These might be the most obvious and immediate reasons to go paperless. Utilizing cloud storage effectively nulls the costs of paper, printer equipment and maintenance, ink cartridges, and toner.

With online application registration, your processes for application, review and approval can be completed as quickly as you wish. There’s no mail delivery system to act as a time-hogging middle man.

5. Security
A locked filing cabinet isn’t necessarily the most effective way to ensure your documents are secure. SmartSimple’s role-based GMS360° platform allows you to define levels of access for your grants system’s users. Additionally, data stored on our encrypted servers are securely housed in a SSAE 16 (SAS 70) data center.

6. It’s Easier – for Everyone Involved
Several organizational processes related to applications are made simpler and more efficient in a paperless environment. Reviewers and stakeholders can now be folded into the decision process much more organically, since all parties have same-time access to an application via the cloud.

Additionally, data entry and metrics based around applicants and their applications are easily available to your organization - cutting down on extraneous research and data input.


For more information about SmartSimple, our environmental policy, and our grants management system, GMS360°, visit our main website or contact us at info@smartsimple.com.

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