How We Calculate the Value of Digital Documents

Digital documents save time, reduce risks, and create measurable impact for organizations. But how do you actually put a number on that value? At TRUE, we’ve developed a model that quantifies the benefits of digitalization in four key areas: time savings, risk protection, verification cost, and brand exposure.

Here’s how it works.

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1. Time Savings – Every Document Counts

Every digital document saves on average 20 minutes compared to manual handling.

We break it down like this:

• 15 minutes saved during creation
• 5 minutes saved in post-processing (archiving, support, corrections)

With an average hourly rate of 400 SEK, the formula becomes:
Documents × 20 minutes × 400 SEK/hour

In many organizations, the actual savings are even higher, especially where manual processes are still common.

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2. Risk Protection – Preventing Fraud and Errors

We conservatively assume that 15% of digital documents help prevent fraud or material errors.

This assumption is supported by international studies showing 10–20% error or fraud rates in applications and qualification documents. For example, Cifas (2024) found that 18% of job applicants misrepresented information in their CVs.

Our calculation:
Protected documents × 1,250 SEK per risk event

Each protected document increases trust and reduces costly risks.

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3. Verification Cost – Automation Pays Off

Traditionally, verifying documents requires emails or phone calls to issuing organizations. That’s time-consuming and costly.

By automating this process, those costs disappear. One manual verification typically equals:
15 minutes × 400 SEK/hour = 100 SEK

Formula:
Verified documents × 100 SEK

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4. Brand Exposure – Measurable Marketing Value

Every time a digital document is shared, it doesn’t just serve an administrative purpose — it also generates brand exposure.

We calculate this in two ways:

• CPC (Cost Per Click): 389 attributed clicks → 6,329 SEK
• CPM (Cost Per Mille/1,000 impressions): estimated impressions → 4,164 SEK

Total marketing value: 10,493 SEK.

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Why These Calculations Matter

This model gives organizations a concrete way to understand the economic impact of digital documents. It’s not just about efficiency — it’s also about security, cost reduction, and brand growth.

By making these values visible, we enable better decision-making around digital transformation and help organizations clearly communicate the return on investment.

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Sources and References

Our assumptions are based on leading studies and official reports, including:

• Cifas (2024): Fraudulent job applications
• UHR (2021): False diplomas
• European Commission (2024): PIF report
• Frontex (2023): Document Fraud
• ENIC-NARIC / FRAUDOC (2022)

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Final Thoughts

Digital documents represent measurable value — in time saved, risks reduced, costs avoided, and brand visibility gained. By treating documents not only as administrative tools but also as economic assets, organizations unlock both efficiency and growth.

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