Posts tagged ‘scanner’
Yes, You Need Maintenance on Your Scanner
As budgets get tighter it’s inevitable that the need for hardware maintenance will come into question. It’s like insurance in your own personal life; nobody likes to pay for it but you definitely dont want to get caught without it.
If your equipment is mission critical, you need to keep it covered under a service contract.
If you don’t have the budget to replace it immediately, you need a service contract.
If you are unsure what model it would be replaced by or where or how to get it you should definately maintain your service contract.
There does come a point in time when it is more practical to put those renewal dollars towards a replacement. If you’re working with a good company such as ImageSource we will let you know at renewal time that you should be planning for your replacement either this year or the year after. We can help you select a model and also review compatibility.
Upgrades can be tricked and can trigger software upgrades at the sametime, these are best planned for rather than inadvertenly discovered.
If you need assistance planning, renewing or replacing your scanner please give us a call.
Thank you for your time!
Ruben Kerson
Inside Sales Manager
ImageSource Inc.
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.
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.
135 Pages, 60 Seconds.
If you are looking for a production scanner, make sure you review the Fujitsu fi-5950C. At 135 pages per minute in color, this is Fujitsu’s top model. You will want to bundle this scanner with Fujitsu’s ScanCare package. ScanCare is the most comprehensive maintenance plan on the market. Aside from a variety of responses time to fit your budget, it also includes Preventative Maintenance visits and a generous supply of consumables to keep you scanning for the year. If you need more consumables they offer the ScanAid kits. If you would like more information contact us or come to Nexus 2011 where the full line of Fujitsu scanners will be on display.
Ruben Kerson
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
Shedding a little more light on the new Fujitsu fi-6800
I have blogged before about the Fujitsu fi-6800′s reduced footprint, the LED technology that it uses, and the many environmental friendly qualities it has, but there are other features that must be pointed out. As you can imagine, when a company so well respected and influential in the ECM world as Fujitsu releases a new product, a lot of thought and engineering goes into it beyond just making it faster. The fi-6800 is packed with features that enhance productivity that was based directly on customer feedback.
I saw a recent live demo of this model and it is impressive. It’s look, size, footprint. How quiet it is. It also became evident, that this scanner is also easier to use than the fi-5900C, the previous mid-volume production heavyweight manufactured by Fujitsu. This scanner weighs a mere 70 pounds compared to 100+ pounds of other scanners and its compact size makes it physically the smallest in its class. This scanner was designed with this in mind: bring production scanning from out back to up front without obviously disturbing the front of office business environment.
This scanner was also designed with batch scanning efficiency in mind. For example, it can be equipped with a pre or post scanning imprinter depending on the need, and features an active stacker which controls paper speed as it exits the scanner to keep documents orderly and neat. The front operator panel has a document counter and a batch counter too. It is intelligently designed featuring an intuitive LCD operator panel which can be programmed in seven different languages.
Speaking of intuitive technology, the scanner offers Intelligent Multi-Feed Function (iMFF) and Automatic Image Quality Checker (aIQC). According to Fujitsu, “iMFF allows for instant detection of a multi-feed or multilayer document, such as taped-on receipts or sticky notes added to a document. This function transports the document that has caused the alert to the exit path of the scanner, and presents both the physical document as well as the scanned front and back side images to the user so they can decide whether rescanning is required.” The Automatic Image Quality Checker allows for document batches to be processed without interruption because it marks images virtually with potential missing data (for example folded corners) and others that might indicate multi-feed incidences. This allows the user to check through the earmarked images and either re-scan or validate without interrupting the image order.
Lastly, the scanner comes equipped with an impressive full suite of bundled software including Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard, Kofax VRS 4.5 Professional with enhanced barcode recognition, ScandAll PRO with Scan to Microsoft Sharepoint, and QuickScan Pro Demo. The fi-6800 fits well into any Document Management and Enterprise Content Management solution.
Once again, Fujitsu steps out into the limelight and into the front of the pack with production level document scanning for the world.
Ian Hundtofte
ImageSource
April 16, 2010 at 6:01 pm productsandsolutionsforecm 1 comment
Goin’ Green with a Scannin’ Machine
Goin’ Green with a Scannin’ Machine
We all know that document imaging demonstrates the capacity of “going green” just by definition. It is inherent in concept. Technology expands so quickly and in the world of document imaging hardware, there lies no exception. The most respected manufacturers like Fujitsu, Kodak, and Canon make the entire scanning process, from pre-scanning to post scanning, more automated and efficient for the end user, while also providing the latest in document imaging features and functionalities.
A couple examples of some of these particular technological advancements take are new LED’s replacing traditional lamps in scanners as well as production scanners with smaller footprints. For instance, LED technology is featured in the Kodak/Bell &Howell Ngenuity as well as the new Fujitsu fi-6800 production scanner. LED technology helps significantly reduce the scanner’s power consumption during operation and as well as in “sleep mode.” Also, LED’s are designed to last the life of the scanner thereby eliminating the cost of replacement bulbs and the production costs and waste of replacement bulbs as well. Since there are no replacement bulbs needed for these scanners, there’s nothing new to throw away. Speaking of consumables, like scanner bulbs, companies making document imaging scanners are also manufacturing other consumables (pad assemblies, pick rollers, roller assemblies) with longer life spans. Fewer consumables are needed and the ones that are needed, last longer. The manufacturer’s that are seemingly taking the lead on this front include Fujitsu, Canon, and Kodak/Bell & Howell.
Better materials used in the manufacturing of document imaging scanners is not the only advancement that is happening that exemplifies this industry embracing green initiatives. The design of the hardware is changing as well. Manufacturers like Fujitsu are designing and building scanners that have significantly smaller footprints – the space they take up on the desk or the tabletop in the working environment. Take for example the Fujitsu fi-6800. This is a full–fledged mid-volume production scanner that is the smallest document scanner in its class. The trend is moving toward fewer materials being produced to make these machines and therefore less energy is being consumed. This translates into less waste and fewer emissions into the environment, as is obvious.
Since these new scanners are more intuitive as a result of new technology and better design, they can recognize in advance multi-feed issues, so the user can adjust settings as necessary. Bottom line – the user can become more efficient at document scanning and do more, in less time.
With new technology and better design comes new efficiency and related side benefits including using fewer materials and generating less waste and fewer emissions. It’s encouraging to know that the ECM Industry continues to do its part.
Ian Hundtofte
Canon Color P150 – Overview
Portable and mobile with a compact design capable of fitting into briefcases and laptop bags
USB powered scanning, making it possible for the scanner to be operated without an AC adapter. Currently no other scanner in this market segment is capable of scanning using only one USB cable. For more information contact our Insides Sales Team @ 360-943-9273
Ruben Kerson
Imagesource Inc
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
Use ECM Training to Maximize Your Investment!
Have you ever bought a VCR, Stereo, DVD Player or any high-end electronic gadget? It normally comes with a fancy remote control or interface with multiple options on it but all you really want to do is watch a movie. You would be just as satisfied for the moment with just two buttons, “stop” and “go”. At home the extra functions may improve our lives or they may not. They might be just for fun. But either way what extra features you don’t use or know about, doesn’t hurt you..usually.
Many companies approach their imaging systems the same way. It does what it does from the day it was enabled, it works and that’s it. When they hear about other peoples’ systems, they wish their system could have similar functionality… and maybe it does, but who has the time to figure that out?
Take the time to maximize your investment! It was worth it to someone in your organization to make the investment initially, so why wouldn’t you use it to its full potential? Well you might not for the same reason humans don’t do most things – a shortage of Time . Time is important and once you dive into exploring your current software who knows how long it will take or if what you are focusing on will benefit your existing process? At ImageSource, we have found that the most important and undervalued item with an imaging system is training. With professional training, concerns can be addressed in a focused environment and a structured time frame. Our most successful customers realize the benefits and importance of training, both initial and on-going training.
Often when customers contact us looking for additional hardware and software, we can ask some probing questions and discover that the issue may resolved by scheduling a consulting day to review their installation and recommend best practices for their environment. Paying for one or two days of training is definitely less expensive that investing in additional hardware and software products that may not even be successful.
Taking responsibility for your components isn’t easy, and you can simplify the process by receiving professional training/consulting that will inform, educate and assist you to the right path of choice sooner rather than later. Additional training and professional services consulting are offered at ImageSource – you might be surprised what is discovered!
Professional training provides knowledge. Knowledge is power.
Andrea Latham, CDIA+
Inside Sales
ImageSource, Inc.
Phone 360.943.9273
