What value does Virtual ReScan Software (VRS) provide with my scanner?

When purchasing a scanner for document imaging, software is bundled with the scanner that automatically examines documents and applies the correct settings to deliver high quality scanned images. Or in simple terms – it enables image clean-up and clarity to occur automatically at the point of scanning the document.  This software SAVES a great deal of TIME and is EASY to use…This little piece of magical software is called Virtual ReScan or VRS.

Many scanner manufacturers include the Kofax VRS software in the scanner purchase price. Fujitsu includes Kofax VRS Professional software with their scanners and Panasonic includes the latest version of Kofax VRS called Kofax VRS Elite bundled with their scanners.  Other manufacturers do offer the software at an additional cost (Canon, Kodak etc.).

Some of the features in Kofax VRS Elite software:

• Auto-rotation
• Auto-cleanup
• Hole punch removal
• Blank page deletion
• Color detection
• Color smoothing
• Automatic crop and deskew
• Improved recognition (increases the accuracy of OCR & ICR software)
• Scan at the scanner’s rated scanning speed
• Network-friendly images

Take a look at the Image Processing video on Kofax VRS Elite to get a visual on some of the functionality. I have customers that use the software and will not purchase another scanner without it!

Megan Lane
Inside Sales
ImageSource, Inc.

ProStor InfiniVault – Storage AND Savings

ProStor InfiniVault – storage AND savings.

I blogged about the ProStor InfiniVault about one month ago.  As a reminder, the InfiniVault is a data preservation and protection system which allows you to optimize how you manage/handle your data.  It combines sophisticated software with industry endorsed removable hard drive technology.  You may ask: How does this technology move from our existing storage system to ProStor translate to the bottom line?  How can it save us money?  Here are some sound examples for cost reduction both tangible and intangible:

Economic Savings**

• Lowest cost storage – tape costs up to 2x more, optical costs up to 4x more, and fixed disk costs up to 40x more
• Infinite capacity – the RDX removable disks are virtualized behind the online disk allowing inactive data to be removed from the system while still appearing online to applications and users. This reduces operating cost and power consumption, while enabling incremental
  expansion of storage when it’s needed and at the best price in the market
• Self-protecting – the system can automatically make 1 to 4 copies of data on RDX removable disks and/or replicate to another ProStor InfiniVault, automating disaster protection. The meta-data is maintained online for easy search and retrieval, even when the data is removed from the system and sent offsite
• Multiple vaults – users can partition the online disk file area for multiple departments or projects rather than purchasing separate systems, thereby reducing capital expense
• Backward/Forward compatible – unlike tape or optical storage solutions, you will never need to swap-out a drive to read the data from an RDX disk
• Reduced backup costs by 50% – shorter backup windows, faster time to recovery, lower cost of protecting data, and fewer resources to manage backups are consumed
• Lower power and cooling costs up to 75% – data on spinning disks is a major power user, and within a ProStor InfiniVault the RDX disks spin-down when not being accessed
• Faster response to eDiscovery requests – saves time and money in responding and helps avoid potential penalties
• Improved operational efficiencies – fewer IT resources (people and equipment) are needed because you don’t need to manage multiple tiers; no data to disk, tape or VTL anymore
• Ease of use – because it is addressed as simple NAS storage, installation can be done in 30 minutes or less. Once online, the information management software implements your policies automatically
• Set and forget GUI – once vaults are defined and retention policies are set, the ProStor InfiniVault does the rest
• Data compression – data is compressed where possible 2:1 (on average) to reduce the amount of storage that needs to be purchased
• File level data de-duplication – digital fingerprint is used to identify duplicate files and only store one instance, reducing the total amount of storage that needs to be purchased
• Reclaim capacity on primary storage – less primary storage has to be purchased now and in the future**

As you can see, the economic reasons to migrate over to ProStor are numerous.  Contact our Sales Department for more information or a quote.

Ian Hundtofte

Inside Sales/ImageSource

**Source: ProStor Systems

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

  

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

  

Who Needs a Scanner? I Think I Need a Scanner…

The answer is almost everyone!  From scanning bills and statements in your home office to full Imaging Departments in the largest of companies, digital images are the way of the future.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t have room in my house for filing cabinets full of old mortgage, power, auto, insurance and all the other bills and statements that I get every day!  Many State, County, and City government agencies have also run into the same problem as they are keeping 100+ years of all different types of paper documents. 

A lot of people today want to start digitizing their documents, but don’t really know where to start.   If you need some help trying to find out what type of scanner is right for you, there are a few simple questions you can ask yourself.  How many documents per day/week do I need to scan?  Do any of them need them to be in color?  Are any of my documents double-sided?  Are any of my documents of unusually large or small size?  What paper types and of what quality will I be scanning?  All of these questions are important and can help narrow down the size and type of scanner that will work best for you.   There are many manufacturers that produce scanners that range from home office/portable to the highest production scanners available.  Companies like Fujitsu, Bell & Howell, Canon, Panasonic, and Kodak all provide full lines of scanners to fit most every need.  Don’t let this unfamiliar territory intimidate you, there are companies like ImageSource, Inc. that know about and sell scanners to help you out along the way!

If you’re interesting in viewing muliple scanners at one time and location, sign up to attend Nexus ’09.  Some of the major manufacturers will be demoing their scanners there and answering the types of questions we talked about above.  Good luck and start scanning!