The Harris Center Enhances Organizational Processes with Laserfiche 

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD serves tens of thousands of people in need of mental health services across all socioeconomic levels in Harris County, Texas. As the third-largest organization serving such needs in the United States, the center prides itself on providing high-quality, efficient and cost-effective services that impact every corner of the county. 

The Harris Center previously relied on manual processes to handle administrative and operational workflows. This method led to inefficiencies: Documents were frequently misplaced; there was no visibility into process status, and the lack of trackable data created challenges in securing funding. 

The Harris Center for Mental Health\

The IT team at the Harris Center leveraged Laserfiche to replace manual processes with Laserfiche Forms and process automation. “After evaluating several collaboration and content management platforms, we selected Laserfiche as our solution of choice due to its flexibility, scalability, user-friendly interface, and robust security features,” said Chief Information Officer Mustafa Cochinwala. “Laserfiche offers powerful workflow automation, seamless integration capabilities with our existing systems, and a strong compliance framework that aligns with our organizational and regulatory requirements.”

The Harris Center has since automated 90 tasks, with 171,267 submissions using Laserfiche Forms, significantly reducing the time it takes to complete processes by up to 99%. Additionally, the center consolidated data, enhanced executive reports, improved decision making, and strengthened document security. 

Tackling Manual Tasks 

The Harris Center aimed to significantly reduce manual, repetitive tasks with Laserfiche, addressing inefficiencies including inaccurate data, security, and resource allocation.  

A game-changer for the center was the digitization of the low-level offender intake form. Previously, the organization required police officers to fill out paper forms on clipboards. This approach — fraught with handwritten notes and misplaced documents — compromised the accuracy and security of sensitive patient information.  
 

The Information Technology team created a Laserfiche workflow to relieve staff from having to interpret handwriting, chase down information and re-enter data. As part of the solution, an intuitive digital intake form collects complete, consistent information — such as patient health background and situation — from law enforcement partners.  

The Harris Center staff have since seen a dramatic improvement in their ability to quantify these services and measure their impact.  

“The shift has enhanced operational efficiency and elevated the quality and reliability of our reporting — empowering us to serve our community with greater precision and accountability,” said Anthony Jones, director of information technology applications and development for The Harris Center.  

The Harris Center for Mental Health

This efficiency can also be seen in the center’s contract approval process. Previously, it took 30 to 90 days to gather vendor information for contract approval from Leadership. The approval timeframe was reduced to an hour by using a Laserfiche Form for gathering information and approvals. The center saved approximately 479 working hours in this process, a 90.7% increase in efficiency. 

“Overall, the adoption of Laserfiche has not only improved efficiency but also provided a strong financial return on investment for our organization,” said Jones.  

Secure and Seamless Legal Processes 

Beyond patient intake and contracts, The Harris Center has also implemented Laserfiche for legal processes. When courts send magistrate orders to the center, they expect responses within 24 to 48 hours. 

The legacy process relied on manual routing, either through email or hand delivery. Staff had to print out, scan, sign, scan again, and return paper forms. And because of the strict deadlines, these orders often felt like an unwelcome fire drill. Now, an automated process delivers magistrate orders to the relevant staff members in Laserfiche, so staff can provide the necessary information digitally. To satisfy a legal requirement for signatures, staff use a signature pad to sign the form, which is then sent back to the court through an SFTP folder.  

“The process was a mess before. Using a Laserfiche form — the difference is night and day,” said Jones. “Laserfiche has improved our court order handling, moving from a clunky email system to a seamless electronic process integrated with Epic.”  

The solution is one of many examples of how optimized data management has greatly enhanced productivity across the organization.  

The Harris Center for Mental Health

“Laserfiche has delivered significant cost savings through reductions in manual processing time, operational inefficiencies, and paper-related expenses,” explained Jones. “By automating workflows and replacing outdated manual processes, the organization has realized over 50 hours of weekly savings.”  

Easier Processes Enhance the User Experience 

While forms have enabled faster processes, Laserfiche has also supported The Harris Center’s budget goals. The State of Texas requires health staff across the state to participate quarterly in the Medicaid Administrative Claims (MAC) survey. The MAC survey is critical in assisting states to secure federal reimbursement for certain Medicaid administrative activities. For The Harris Center, the survey aids in recovering costs for behind-the-scenes work, not related to medical services, that support Medicaid.  

Before Laserfiche, the survey was conducted through SharePoint, which required staff to enter their employee ID and lacked tracking capabilities. Consequently, only 55-60% of staff completed the survey. 

The Harris Center for Mental Health

Using a Laserfiche Form, staff no longer need to waste time searching through their notes for their ID: Laserfiche auto-populates the information and tracks all submissions. As a result, the center increased the completion rate to 100%.  

The center also uses Laserfiche Forms to consolidate previously scattered information and enhance the organization’s reporting. With Laserfiche Forms and supplemental Power BI reports, the organization now has a full overview of its processes in one secure location. “These reports allow us to have all the comprehensive information in one place and to make operational decisions from that data,” explains Jones. “We use these reports in an operational capacity daily. From top to bottom, dealing with patient care, employee care and daily operations.” Clinical activity, for example, is tracked by combining Laserfiche and EHR data to support the patient census and enable better resource allocation.   

The Hunt for Manual Processes Continues 

The center continues to redefine organizational workflows and transform outdated manual tasks into streamlined systems with Laserfiche. The team has seen dramatic improvements in their daily workflows and strategic planning. Task delegation ensures departmental accountability. Process automation expedites services. Data tracking enables meticulous documentation for enhanced reporting. Laserfiche  repository security controls support compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.  

The organization’s vision for Laserfiche is to drive further enhancements in operational processes. “We’ve done a lot of good things with Laserfiche forms since we went live with Laserfiche,” said Jones. “I’ve asked my team, if there’s any manual processes out there, let’s address it and automate it. Laserfiche allows employees to help people behind the scenes. If we did not support the people that help people, they would not be as successful as they are.” 

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Congratulations to the Laserfiche Run Smarter® Award Winners

The Laserfiche Run Smarter® Awards celebrate the visionaries and trailblazers who are redefining the possible, using Laserfiche to dismantle operational silos and catalyze a new era of enterprise-wide productivity. These winners are enhancing productivity, reimagining processes and improving lives with Laserfiche technology.  

From municipal governments slashing process times by 92% to retail giants unlocking data from millions of invoices, the 2026 winners represent the gold standard of operational excellence. These organizations are reimagining what’s possible when technology and human ingenuity collide. Here is how this year’s elite class of innovators is redefining the way the world works: 

Nien-Ling Wacker Visionary of the Year: 

Doug Haubert, City Prosecutor

Doug Haubert, City Prosecutor, Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office

Doug Haubert has provided visionary leadership for the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office through championing the GUIDES program (Government User Integrated Diversion Enhancement System). By using Laserfiche to turn siloed records into real-time, actionable intelligence, Haubert supports Long Beach officers in addressing complex social issues — from gang violence to mental health — with unprecedented precision and empathy. This digital ecosystem fosters seamless collaboration between law enforcement and service providers, shifting the focus from arrests to high-impact intervention. The result has been a measurable reduction in crime, faster access to critical social services, and a strengthened foundation of community trust. 

Digital Transformation Leader of the Year: 

Young Lee, Information Systems Analyst

Young Lee, Information Systems Analyst, City of Camarillo, California

Under Young Lee’s leadership, the City of Camarillo transformed a daunting year-end HR and payroll marathon into a sprint. By fostering cross-departmental collaboration and launching a citywide workflow initiative, Lee’s upgraded automated workflow slashed processing time from 50 hours to just four — a staggering 92% increase in efficiency. This digital overhaul didn’t just eliminate administrative bottlenecks; it created higher accuracy and empowered staff to trade manual data entry for community impact. Lee proves that with the right workflow, administrative burdens vanish, delivering a clear ROI and better citizen service. 

Laserfiche Champion of the Year: 

Priya Karthick

Priya Karthick, Enterprise IT Technologist, Texas A&M Technology Services

As a dedicated Laserfiche Champion, Priya Karthick has moved beyond simple implementation to true advocacy, mentoring peers and spearheading enterprise-wide Laserfiche initiatives that redefine the higher education experience. From automating complex onboarding processes to founding vibrant user groups, Karthick’s work ensures that hiring managers and new employees alike benefit from a seamless, digital-first environment. Her commitment to knowledge-sharing and community building has turned Texas A&M into a beacon of efficiency, proving that digital transformation is most powerful when it’s collaborative. 

Best Program ROI:

Choctaw Nation IT Tribal Solutions

Choctaw Nation IT Tribal Solutions

The Choctaw Nation is redefining how a tribal government serves its people. Since 2017, the organization has automated 111 distinct programs, turning what was once a months-long application process for tuition and emergency aid into a streamlined experience taking under two weeks. The impact is staggering: an 87% drop in incomplete submissions and over 107,000 staff hours reclaimed in a single year — a productivity boost valued at $3.76 million. By eliminating manual bottlenecks and saving $250,000 annually in administrative costs, the Choctaw Nation is proving that digital maturity isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about providing faster, more reliable support to every tribal member. 

Watch the full interview with the Choctaw Nation’s Todd Hughes

Change Maker of the Year:

Palo Alto Unified School District

Palo Alto Unified School District Information Services

The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) turned a cloud migration into a complete operational rebirth. Through “Implementation 2.0,” the district upgrated to Laserfiche Cloud, choosing to rebuild critical business processes from the ground up rather than simply digitizing old habits. 

By mastering APIs and modern data connectors, PAUSD successfully integrated Laserfiche with its student information system, automating everything from substitute teacher provisioning to enrollment. This shift has transitioned the IT team from “infrastructure maintenance” to strategic innovation partners. Through this effort, the team has affected profound cultural change where departments across fiscal, HR, and student services now collaborate to eliminate manual data entry and prioritize student success. 

See how PAUSD focuses on student success with tech-driven solutions. 

Laserfiche Program of the Year, U.S./Canada:

Kansas State University

Kansas State University

The team at Kansas State University aims to set the standard for inspiring learning and engagement for their over 21,000 students. Laserfiche has supported that mission by transforming student services through intelligent automation. By automating a process for academic program changes, the university now processes 85% of requests in under a day, and has reclaimed over 49,000 staff hours. This transformation not only enhances student experience but also strengthens operational efficiency and responsiveness. 

Get the details on KSU’s award-winning program

Laserfiche Program of the Year, EMEA:

Albany Trustee Company Limited

Albany Trustee Company Limited

Guernsey-based Albany Trustee turned its “Project Paperless” into a blueprint for modern fiduciary services. By embedding Laserfiche into the heart of operations, the firm transitioned from static spreadsheets to real-time visibility, ensuring that data integrity and compliance are built directly into their daily workflows. The results go beyond simple time savings; the organization has achieved structured AI adoption, driving higher accuracy in document creation and process analytics. By automating repetitive filing, Albany Trustee has empowered its team to focus on high-value client service. This transformation goes beyond streamlined operations and has sparked a culture of innovation where staff are digitally confident and actively seeking the next technological frontier. 

Laserfiche Team of the Year:

City of Tuscon Department Applications Team

City of Tucson Department Applications Team

The City of Tucson transformed digital compliance into a community asset. Facing upcoming federal requirements, the city’s Laserfiche team proactively overhauled 335 public-facing production forms to support full accessibility and ADA compliance, bridging a critical gap in resident services. Through rigorous research and a structured deployment strategy, the city eliminated screen reader errors and improved usability for all residents — all without additional software investments or vendor intervention. This initiative set a new standard for inclusive governance. By prioritizing dignity and access, Tucson has ensured that every citizen can navigate city services with ease and confidence. 

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Navigating the Agentic Era: Laserfiche 2026 Leadership Predictions

John Merrill speaking during the general session at the 2025 Empower conference.

As we move through 2026, the conversation around artificial intelligence has shifted from “what if” to “how fast.” For business leaders, this means the challenge is no longer just adopting AI, but orchestrating a landscape where AI agents, human expertise and rigorous data governance intersect. 

Below are strategic considerations for navigating the technological and operational shifts that are defining 2026. 

1. From tools to agents: The new standard of content management 

By 2026, AI features — document summarization, automated metadata extraction and conversational search — are no longer differentiators; they are table stakes for a document management platform. The real frontier is the AI agent. Organizations are moving past experimental chatbots toward autonomous agents capable of executing workflows. 

Meanwhile, automation isn’t replacing knowledge workers; it’s liberating them. As AI handles repetitive administrative tasks, the workforce is refocusing on high-impact, creative strategy. Leaders should encourage low-stakes AI experimentation now. Familiarizing teams with AI agents in a safe environment will help prepare the organization for when these tools move into mission-critical operations. 

2. The rise of the agentic workforce and technical bottlenecks 

This year will also mark a significant shift in how software and solutions are built. While AI can now write the majority of application code, this creates new challenges for IT strategy. While entry-level coding is being automated, the demand for experienced developers remains high. Their role has evolved into “agent orchestrators” — experts who know how to direct sophisticated AI to achieve enterprise-grade results. 

The single most important skill for 2026 is adaptability: The ability to learn and unlearn skills rapidly is now more valuable than any specific legacy programming language. 

3. Security in the age of perfect impersonation 

The cybersecurity landscape in 2026 is defined by “AI vs. AI.” This new era includes supercharged social engineering; AI can now almost perfectly impersonate individuals, making traditional phishing defenses obsolete. Organizations must move toward robust, hardware-based authentication like Fast Identity Online two-factor authentication (FIDO 2FA). Forward-thinking CIOs are now requiring vendors to adopt additional security controls, certifications and compliance frameworks.  

4. Infrastructure reality check: Budgets and supply chains 

Despite the software-centric nature of AI, the physical reality of hardware is a major constraint. Anticipated AI demand has created significant supply chain volatility. With technology budgets capped at roughly 9-10% growth and vendor subscription costs rising, leaders must find “AI offsets.”  Funding for AI innovation in 2026 is largely coming from efficiency gains and spending decreases in other areas of the IT budget rather than massive new capital injections. This is evidenced by Gartner’s 2026 forecast, which shows that while total IT spending is growing by only 10.8%, investment in AI is surging by 80.8% 

2026: The year of responsible acceleration 

The organizations winning in 2026 are those that treat AI not as a bolt-on product, but as a fundamental shift in how human talent is deployed. Trust — in your data, your vendors and your governance — remains the only currency that allows for rapid adoption. 

See how you compare to peers in your AI adoption now by reading more in The State of Document Management & AI

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Laserfiche Virtual Training – New Laserfiche Administrator Bootcamp

Designed for new users to get caught up on Laserfiche administration basics, this lab-style instructor-led training will provide the foundations necessary to successfully manage, administer, and troubleshoot your Laserfiche system.

Topics covered include repository design, metadata administration, repository security and records management, along with repository and task automation.