Case Study: Elon University achieves campus-wide workflow automation with Softdocs

Elon University turns contracts around in 17 hours with Softdocs

Elon University faced a challenge when its legacy document archival system, Fortis, reached end-of-life. The campus was running on inefficient paper-based processes with no routing, approvals, or visibility into workflow status, causing delays and a lack of accountability. The university turned to vendor Softdocs and its Etrieve platform to find a single solution for forms, routing, and approvals that could integrate with its Colleague ERP system.

Softdocs implemented the Etrieve platform to automate workflows across key departments like Purchasing, Financial Aid, and the Registrar. The solution transformed manual processes, resulting in an 84-form system that drastically cut turnaround times; the median contract completion time dropped from weeks to just 17 hours. This automation provided full visibility, eliminated manual tracking, and established a foundation for continuous process improvement across the university.

Elon University