Digital Pen & Paper, which was developed by Swedish technology firm Anoto Group, is distributed in the UK by Destiny Wireless.

The technology uses a wireless ink pen to capture and transmit information as it is written onto ordinary paper that has been embedded with the Anoto digital pattern.

Handwriting is translated into pen strokes and these strokes are then transmitted via either a mobile phone or a PC.

Images of documents and business forms can be transmitted back to office systems in less than a minute and pen strokes can be converted into data files and delivered as XML.

The paper is printed either offset or on a digital press. Both Creative Print Group and Communisis are accredited Destiny print partners.

Leeds City Council corporate and business relationship manager Doug Sutherland said the council had adopted the use of the technology following successful trials that started in September last year.

"The savings that can be made in the administration of paper and printed documents are enormous," he added.

Initially, the project centred on use in the social services and home care environment, but Sutherland said the scheme would now be rolled out into other areas, such as environmental health.

The council is now in talks with other local authorities on the use of Digital Pen & Paper.

Factfile
- Leeds City Council won the 2005 Local Government IT Excellence award for its use of Digital Pen & Paper

- Digital pen partners include Nokia, Logitech and Hitachi Maxell

- Digital paper partners include Esselte, 3M and Black 'n' Red

- There are around 200 Digital Pen & Paper customers in the UK