Web Hosting News – LONDON – British firms are losing time and money from out-dated office practices and a struggle to handle and store electronic documents, according to research released today by 1&1 Internet Ltd, the world’s largest web host. From a study of 410 small firms, 37 per cent report money is lost from employees failing to share updated versions of documents. 53 per cent of companies are held back by poor archiving of emails and documents, and one third have document files saved on hardware that not all colleagues can access. 1 in 4 report wasting over £2000 a year from excessive printing of documents. Some 25 per cent are losing efficiency from slow-running email accounts clogged with attachments. Document handling skills are inconsistent across staff in 41 per cent of firms, and only 1 in 4 firms has a strategy for increasing their efficiency in handling electronic data. Many businesses could benefit from reviewing how they draft, share and store their electronic documents. 1&1’s ‘UK Digital Office Audit’(1) finds that many UK firms are losing time and money from their poor handling and storage of electronic materials. A key finding is the lack of facilities for collaborating on electronic documents between colleagues. In total, two thirds of small companies believe that their efficiency is reduced by problems with document handling. 1 in 3 firms (37 per cent) believe that time and money is lost as a result of staff failing to share the latest versions of documents. Significantly, 43 per cent do not have access to a file-sharing method that removes the need to email whole document files. 59 per cent of owners are unable to amend documents off the premises and save them where their colleagues can access them. Staff skills around creating and sharing documents can also be a problem. Some 29 per cent report that documents are frequently deleted in error, and 41 per cent of firms believe their success is hindered by inconsistent levels of staff skills in this area. The majority of UK business owners now value email to be an essential communication channel. However, the data shows many find their efficiency in handling emails is not optimal. Over half of small businesses surveyed (53 per cent) do not currently archive old emails in a structured, easily-searchable form. 1 in 4 companies find their email accounts are regularly clogged with large attachments and face reduced performance when sending attachments around their team. 1 in 4 have worked with a ’slow running’ email system before the capacity was expanded. Furthermore, over half of firms (53 per cent), do not have access to shared calendars across their staff. Oliver Mauss, CEO 1&1 Internet Ltd