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District 2 adopts D1 scanner idea for latest "Times 7" innovation initiative

One of the main pushes of the ITD innovation program is to spread innovations beyond the district boundaries where the idea first took root. A great idea that saves time and money should not stay siloed in the first spot where it was created — it should live on in our other districts and divisions around the state, where it can save time and money there, too.

District 1’s use of scanners to streamline billing and paperwork processes is just such an idea. In fact, District 2 has now taken the concept and adopted it in Lewiston.

Kathy Staab, D2’s Buyer in Purchasing, said they have had scanners in place for a while now, and they continue refining the process.

“This year, we upgraded the sheds to new printer/scanners for quality purposes. In our main offices, we opted to purchase a printer/scanner combo to save desk space.”

Maintenance Foremen scan invoices, packing slips, bill of lading, and more, then create purchase orders online and attach any documents needed by the Purchasing section. Foremen hold original documents in their files, or recycle, keeping an electronic copy.

“This empties file cabinets (YEAH), and lightens the filing burden on all.” Staab explained. “It also makes it much easier to find a document at a later date, should you need one.”

“We love the scanning process. It’s much nicer than waiting a week or two for documents to finally come into the office,” she added.

This has also turned the tables.

“Most documents come into Purchasing on the day that they are created, delivered, or picked up. No wait, no fuss. We can pay invoices quickly and without delay. Usually, we are waiting on vendors to produce invoices,” Staab said.

Here’s a link to the original D1 scanner video featuring D1 Supply Operations Supervisor Jim West: https://youtu.be/T9A9ORaU_XA