Office and SharePoint 2007 User's Guide: Integrating SharePoint with Excel, Outlook, Access, and Word

9.1. Why You Should Use InfoPath

I don't know many organizations that do not collect data for their business from customers, potential customers, suppliers, partners, or their own employees. Forms have always provided a standardized way to collect information, ensuring that all employees collect all necessary information in a consistent manner. Sometimes companies simply store this information on the paper form used to collect it. However, often this data must be entered into a computer system by armies of data entry clerks.

Using paper forms to collect information exposes the process to several types of errors. First, if the user handwrites the data into the original form, there could be a problem interpreting the handwriting. Second, even ...