The End of the Paper Trial Is Coming Into Sight.

The article focuses on the probable end to the paper trail in almost all electronic transactions in the U.S. Once considered unimaginably distant, the goal now is within sight. It is achievable, practical and even supported by federal law--the Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998 in the U.S. It requires federal agencies to maintain records digitally and give people and companies the option of exchanging forms and submitting information electronically, when practicable, "as a substitution for paper." Some sectors of the economy, particularly those like financial institutions with well organized regulations and standards, are well down the trail toward total electronic transactions and running like mad toward the white light of business salvation. But even construction now is getting a spring in its step, enabled by increasing use of secure document formats like PDFs that can carry embedded controls for viewing, forwarding and printing.