The Power of Partnerships

Working with other companies and their staff to deliver a product and service to a customer can be an enlightening experience.  I have recently been working with 4 of the top leading scanner manufacturer partners to assist a healthcare customer with their distributed capture initiative-with the evaluation and the purchase of 160 desktop scanners for capturing patient intake information.

The customer evaluated the 4 manufacturers’ desktop scanners. A number of factors influenced the healthcare customer on their decision to work with ImageSource and to purchase the following scanner evaluated:

• The ease of use of the scanner equipment and software
• Availability of the manufacturer’s sales person and sales engineer to be on-site to install the scanner, the numerous conference calls to answer questions that unfolded due to the testing of the scanner and every question was treated with utmost importance.
• The attention to detail by both ImageSource and manufacturer to modify the demonstration of  the scanner and that the scanner software solved a number of their various documentation challenges (for example – the patient intake documentation varies is size, thickness and also includes plastic cards)
• The high level of thorough communication between ImageSource and manufacturer (In the customer’s eyes it seemed they were working with one company, not two!)

The greatest learning experience and also the most important factor that made this a stress-free process was the level of trust that was initiated, grown and experienced by all parties involved;

• From the customer perspective: Working with two teams from different companies- it did not matter who they called (whether it be ImageSource or the manufacturer), they received the same high level of service from both companies. Both companies kept each other informed of the conversations etc. they had with the healthcare customer, therefore alleviating any miscommunications or misunderstandings.
• From the Reseller vendor (ImageSource) perspective: The high level of communication and interaction with the manufacturer’s sales team created a streamlined cohesive focus to ensure the customer received what they REALLY required from a scanner.
• From the Manufacturer perspective: Being able to rely on a vendor partner that has the knowledge, expertise in Enterprise Content Management (ECM) and initiative to go the extra step – to focus on how to solve the customer’s challenges, not just sell a scanner. It gave us the manufacturer room to really excel in presenting how the scanner and software was the solution to the customer’s challenges.

It is refreshing to experience this unique partnership among the customer, vendor and manufacturer. And I know from all involved, that it set the stage for a high level of expectation in the future opportunities to do business together. This experience reminds me of this quote I saw recently:

“If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail.” Winston Churchill

 

Megan Lane
Inside Sales
ImageSource, Inc.

 

An Innovative Blend…ILINX® Capture with Canon ScanFront 220 / 220P

This week I wanted to highlight a great ImageSource combo that delivers an All-IN-ONE system that is perfect for Workgroup Capture.  This blended technology provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art scanning solution for any organization, regardless of size.

ILINX® Capture is a powerful web based application that allows you to capture information any place, any time.  It can be used for ad hoc and production scanning and indexing.  All you need is access to a browser and you can capture documents from anywhere in the world!

With ILINX Capture you can import and process emails, faxes and business documents and it is easily integrated with third-party and legacy systems. Once released from the scanner, the documents enter the ILINX Capture workflow system; allowing access to documents and batches from a thin web client.  ILINX Capture was a winner of the 2010 Product Innovation Awards -  Network Products Guide.

Now blending ILINX Capture with Canon ScanFront 220 / ScanFront 220P scanner, this allows you to plug your captured information directly into your office network.  With the user-friendly touch screen, you can scan directly to e-mail, FTP, shared folders or USB memory and it releases to a comprehensive workflow system that is assessable from any browser. 

Worried about security and access to your network? The Canon ScanFront 220 / ScanFront 220P has robust security features offering fingerprint authentication with easy remote management.

Check out the demo of how it works on You Tube - you will see how easy it is to apply innovation in your workflow processes!

For more information see the PDF below.

Dynamic Duo – ILINX Capture & Canon ScanFront 220P

Megan Lane
Inside Sales
ImageSource Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
iPhone 360.481.5946
www.imagesourceinc.com

  

Selling is an Act of Respect!

“First I believe that selling anything to anybody, if it’s done with integrity, is actually an act of respect. It acknowledges that the person you’re trying to win over is freethinking and autonomous”, Bruce Philp - The Orange Code – How ING Direct succeeded by being a rebel with a cause.

When I read this statement by Bruce Philp, I smiled. For over 16 years I have been selling as a profession – this statement above sums up nicely how integrity and respect is possible in a sale. The key component from the selling standpoint is you MUST have respect for your customer (or potential customer) and be willing to see them as “freethinking”. Especially when you are questioned and challenged. By having an uncompromising focus on the customer through the whole process – listening and understanding their perspective is imperative in a Enterprise Content Management Project.

Every day we are challenged as professionals to listen and understand someone else’s perspective, as well as add our opinion and expertise to the mix. Seeing customers and colleagues as partners (with their own level of expertise) is a key component to success, especially if it is practiced from both perspectives.

Looking at how we as a company communicate to our customers and talk about our customer partnerships does display many of these elements;

•  “ImageSource works relentlessly with our Customer Partners to build a relationship of ongoing success and trust. The collaborative approach…”
• “What has followed has been an extremely successful business venture that has its spirit deeply rooted in a love for entrepreneurship and innovation”
• “We take pride in our ability to overcome business challenges with integrity and sincerity. Our success is testament…”
• “… This standard results in strong and collaborative customer relationships that are ongoing.”

Do we walk our talk? Some days better than others.

Do our customers walk their talk? Some days better than others…

In the long run the best measurement of success of a sale is long-term customer partnerships and successful ECM projects…from both perspectives!

Megan Lane
Inside Sales
ImageSource Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
iPhone 360.481.5946
www.imagesourceinc.com

  

Personalized Scanning – Fujitsu Style

Personalized scanning – Fujitsu Style

Fujitsu is about to release the new ScanSnap S1300, and scanning just got a little more personal.  Canon has recently entered this arena and low and behold, Fujitsu is on their heels.  This mobile scanning solution is ideal for professionals on the go and is easy to transport at only three pounds and can easily fit in a briefcase or laptop bag.  The ScanSnap S1300 is the smallest Fujitsu multi-page duplex scanner for one-touch ease of use – either on the road or in the office.

With distributed capture on the rise, here is another tool that allows the busy, mobile professional the ease and convenience of capturing the information.  This of course lends to improving productivity and efficiency of the individual with little effort.

This scanner can implement cross-platform functionality which increases its value and versatility.  It is compatible with a PC or a Mac giving the customer maximum flexibility and does so seemingly – without any software changes.  Up until now, one had to either purchase a ‘PC’ version or a ‘MAC’ version of scanners in this class.  In addition, it can be powered by either USB connectivity or an AC adapter.

The scanner’s performance is robust too for its size (up to 8 pages per minute) and it even has 10 page automated document feeder.  The scanner can handle documents as small as a business card and up to 34 inches in length.  The software offers several image enhancement features including automatic cropping and color detection, blank page deletion, and de-skew.  As an added feature, it features one button searchable PDF creation, PDF and JPEG and will scan to editable Excel and Word files.

This scanner offers a lot for its size and its price.  Please contact our Inside Sales Team here at ImageSource at 360-943-9273 for more details and upcoming delivery date.

Ian Hundtofte

  

Centralized, de-centralized or outsourced capture – some surprising results!

In-Process Capture… Centralized Production Scanning… De-Centralized Distributed Capture… the discussions on which strategy is best for a company when addressing their document capture needs can have interesting outcomes. 

There seems to be no “right” answer, the technology choices for capture are continuously growing and changing and a company’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) needs can be very specific.   A recent research study by AIIM produced some surprising results when they reviewed the issues and potential benefits of different approaches to document capture.  Document capture encompasses document scanning, image correction, recognition of text, barcodes, form fields etc. and output to an appropriate format for subsequent processing or archive storage.

One surprising and interesting outcome that AIIM states in their introduction of the report; “The report concludes that there is a move back to centralized scanning operations, along with a greater investment in capture and recognition software to automate date capture and indexing processes.”  At ImageSource, we have also seen an increase in companies utilizing the newer model of “distributed scanning” – at the local level to office staff processing the capture documents. The value of capturing something at point of origination and placed into an imaging business process earlier does save time and money.

Allow your business needs to dictate they type of capture solution that makes business sense for your organization.  This may include multiple avenues. Many of our customers utilize both centralized and de-centralized capture – depending on their specific business needs.   We have also seen companies move towards an increase in distributed/ de-centralized capture for their 3 – 5 year strategic ECM plan.

 So how do you work out what is the best approach for your needs? And it can vary from department to department within the company!  This is one of the greatest challenges the C-Level and IT staff come across when developing an ECM strategic technology plan. As an independent ECM  Integrator, ImageSource is uniquely qualified to help discover the ideal mix of Capture technology to conquer business challenges.  We help chart a strategic course, whether the business requires in-process capture, production scanning, distributed capture or mailroom solutions.

One other surprising result of the AIIM study was the statistics that shows a very strong return on investment (ROI) and compelling case for scanning and capture investments.  Capture is an enabling process that is a combination of improved user access to information and reduced costs.  The study showed that ROI for capture was reported within 12 months to 18 months! That is a significant and impressive return!  Yet the study shows that justifying ROI is still a huge impediment to adoption -one that many of our customers face when presenting the case to change “how things have been done”. 

The greatest benefit of research is that it stimulates all the interested parties into discussion and planning mode.  So what ECM strategies will your company implement – centralized, de-centralized/distributed capture or outsource it!

Megan Lane
Inside Sales
ImageSource Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
iPhone 360.481.5946
www.imagesourceinc.com

  

Character versus Reputation!

I was reading a professional colleague’s blog before New Year’s Eve and was surprised at a quote that highlighted the difference between “Character versus Reputation”.  Matt Younquist – Career Horizons recited a quote from Coach John Wooden which said;

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

Working at a company (ImageSource Inc.) whose expertise is providing full-service Enterprise Content Management integration, the concept of Character versus Reputation is enacted every single day.  ImageSource provides infrastructure and services that streamline information processes using advanced paperless technologies.  Our goal is to help customers leverage their information assets through document imaging, distributed capture, workflow and integration with existing business software systems.  Our comprehensive approach, including analysis, training and support, will advance efficiencies, security, compliance and competition through your entire organization.

We work side by side with our customers to incorporate change within an organization and the many challenges that come hand in hand with this process.  Often when ImageSource is being considered for a project, our reputation precedes our presentation based on existing customer referrals and the large list of successful project implementations.  However, the true character of a company, its culture and people shines or fizzles when unexpected challenges arise throughout the life of the customer/vendor relationship.  ImageSource has proven that character is more important than reputation (even though they are inexplicably linked), and the proof shines via our customer loyalty, our expertise and continued success. 

Another quote comes to mind from Coach John Wooden; “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.” I believe each person at ImageSource strives to achieve this every day and that our customers return the favor.

Check out Coach John Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success” model – it is something to aspire towards as a company and as an individual. May your New Year be as successful as ours will be and have fun considering whether character or reputation is more important!

Megan Lane
Inside Sales
ImageSource Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
iPhone 360.481.5946
www.imagesourceinc.com

  

Capture, Connect, Share

That was the resonating thought left on people’s minds after attending Nexus 2009 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA. The ILINX product line is a unique product offered only by ImageSource, Inc. It’s a flexible web-based capture software suite that allows a distributed capture solution. It has no volume licensing, so there is no limitation on how many documents are scanned. Attendees were very impressed with the ILINX products and how they co-exist with other capture software in the same environment.

“It so easy to become complacent with our day to-day routine, sometimes you need something to shake you and rejuvenate you! This is what our Nexus conference does for me. It gives me a chance to meet my customer and to be remind that what we do improves peoples work environment and in essence we improve our customers’ lives at work and we all know we spend more time at work than anywhere else so we are improving lives! I get a chance to see how our customer are excited about the changes in the market places and they are genuinely excited about improving their environments.“ says ImageSource Inside Sales Manager Ruben Kerson.

Until next year everyone!!

Andrea Latham, CDIA+
Inside Sales
ImageSource, Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
www.imagesourceinc.com

Network Scanners, Living in a Connected World

Network attached scanners have been available for quite a while. But the early version were extremely limited and didn’t always work as expected. The current version of network scanners come with a good sized user interface, touch screen or Keyboard and usual have a version of windows imbedded allowing for an easier setup and a familiar feel. These new units allow for quick deployment in a low volume setting and they are easy-to-use and they manage, secure, and operate as stand-alone solutions.

Many different manufacturers offer a network version of their scanner line.  Canon offers a great Network Scanner, the ScanFront 220.  With this scanner, you can simplify and standardize document management across your local branches or across the globe. Simply load your documents, log into the network, select the destination, and press the scan button.  It allows many users to access the network via one scanner using their person authentication logons.  Specific user settings can restrict the types of documents the user has access to scan, index, and view. 

Fujitsu’s network scanner, the fi-6010N, includes many enhancements for greater ease of use, simplified device management and additional security feature for compliance or to assist with adherence to regulations.  This network scanner provides functionality including scan to e-mail, network fax, folder, printer, FTP website, and searchable PDF in a small footprint which enables document sharing amount departments or the entire enterprise.

The Kodak Scan Station 500 is designed as a walk-up capture station that requires minimal user training and is easy to use. The Scan Station 500 is a standalone solution that works with an existing network and makes use of existing network shared services to communicate with other network devices or destinations. The color touch screen is easy to use and allows you to quickly send your documents via email, fax, to networked drives, networked printers or USB flash drives.

No matter which network scanner you think might work best for you or your organization, having the ability to scan directly to your network without the requirement of a PC is a great innovation in the document imaging environment.  You can purchase all these types of network scanner at ImageSource, Inc.

 

Andrea Latham, CDIA+

Inside Sales

ImageSource, Inc.

Phone 360.943.9273

www.imagesourceinc.com

Document Capture with Bowe Bell & Howell

This week we are going to focus our attention on the Bowe Bell & Howell brand Document Scanner.  They are known for their presence in the high-production environment, and with their work-horse 8000 series scanners, BB&H can really enhance your document capture solution in a production environment. 

Bell & Howell recently launched the replacement to the 8000 series line with the “Ngenuity” high-production scanner.  These 4 models of the Ngenuity were redesigned to include some of the latest technologies and to make maintaining this scanner much easier for the end-user.  For example, the lamps in the Ngenuity have been replaced by LED technology so they last the lifetime of the scanner and require no warm-up time.  That eliminates the end-user having to purchase these consumables and replacing them on a regular basis. 

The internal construction of this scanner is still all stainless steel and now includes a straight paper-path option to reduce jamming and feeding issues.  You now have the option of using two separate paper paths making the scanner more flexible for accommodating your scanning needs.  The Ngenuity also has an unlimited daily duty cycle (number of pages that it can scan per day without reducing the life expectancy of the scanner), which is a great feature not offered by many other manufacturers

Even if you have a lower production or distributed capture environment, Bell & Howell offers their Truper and Sidekick models.  The Truper 3200/3600 models are rated at 67 ppm (pages per minute), the Sidekick 1200 rates at 23 ppm, and the Sidekick 1400 at 43 ppm.  As a point of interest, the Truper made the Guinness Book of World Records for the Longest Scanned Document – an astonishing 3,875-foot document.  Many organizations use the Sidekick models in their distributed capture solutions so branch offices to scan their documents and send them electronically to the home office. 

So no matter what kind of document capture solution you might have in place in your organization, B&H has a scanner that can fit your needs.  And ImageSource is a reseller of the BB&H scanners, here to help answer any of your imaging and document capture questions.

Andrea Latham, CDIA+

Inside Sales

ImageSource, Inc.

Phone 360.943.9273

www.imagesourceinc.com