Reply to "Evolution To Web-Based Certification Application Submissions"

Gene, a few thoughts:

1. GIMP and numerous other free programs allow certifiers to easily open scanned images and drop in the date and cert #.
2. I believe all certifiers have scanners, on intuition rather than actual knowledge. I don't see how they can do their jobs without having one. I find scanners are becoming common now. Perfectly good scanners can be had for under $80.00 Here's an example of a highly-rated scanner available now for $65.00: Budget SCanner
3. I understand that NPOs and corporations all over the world employ inexpensive systems such as Microsoft Sharepoint, Google Cloud and others to do do exactly the type of thing we do, with all the appropriate permissions, review and edit platforms, and upload capabilities you could think of. No way our system is so arcane or abstruse that such a system cannot do everything we need and more. Lots of organizations have very similar document review processes which are readily supported by such software. Here are 5 popular free systems: Free Collaboration Software
4. In any of these systems, everyone in the process can see any paperwork at any time with the appropriate access le3vel.
5. The reduced workload comes from:

All scanning is done at the measurer or certifier level

The system is programmed to autocheck input format, arithmetic, and to require a minimum data set that we require as a condition of any certification application. It does away with paper. It creates electronic copies from the ground up that require little or no filing, and that are available to any appropriate person at any time.
6. I do not know about the volume of errors at your level, Gene. I know there are more than enough at the certifier level. This system all but eliminates most errors at the source.

These systems are commonplace in organizations all over the world today, large and small. Organizations do not use them because they want to look good to someone or because they are "cool". They are flexible, customizable, fluid productivity tools that have long ago proven their value to society.

All for now.