Document scanner sales are booming. Like all other hardware technology, the speed and performance of the devices are getting better while the prices are going down. A new category of workgroup scanners (those with rated speeds of 25 pages per minute or lower) are now in the sub $1,000 category, while high speed production scanners at 100 pages per minute and above are pricing in the $16,000 to $25,000 range. Scanners adequate for moderate desktop level production can be obtained in the $500 range.

What type of scanner is right for you? We can help guide you in selecting a scanner that’s right for your needs. We’ve developed a White Paper, entitled “What to Consider in Evaluating Your Document Capture Requirements”. It contains valuable information regarding the document capture process, including how to select the proper scanner, what classification scheme is best for you, and how to plan for the process. Click Here to Download the White Paper in PDF format

 

Document scanners today come in literally all shapes and sizes. When evaluating scanners, consider 5 main areas:

1) Their main differentiator is rated scanner speed, though this is not the only important distinction. The faster the scanner can go is an indicator of the performance you can expect to receive. It’s a good idea to calculate out the number of pages you need to scan on a daily basis to get a feel for the speed that you’ll need. It’s important to note that the scanner speed is often the least time consuming part of document scanning – it’s the preparation and classification that also need to be figured in.

2) Paper Handling Options – Does the scanner support an ultrasonic feed detection that helps minimize double feeds and misfeeds? Can the scanner handle multiple paper types together without trouble? A high speed scanner that jams frequently is not going to deliver good results.

3) Another important distinction is the size of the automatic document feeder (ADF). Many desktop models available for consumer purchase have no ADF at all, requiring that each page be manually placed on the glass for scanning. This is really not acceptable in an office environment. In fact, many of the models today do not include a built in glass, meaning they will not work for bound materials, etc. If you have the need for scanning bound materials, you need to consider a scanner that has can support it. As a general rule of thumb, especially on smaller scanners (those with ADF capacity of 50 sheets), only put about half of the maximum amount in at any given time. Overloading the ADF almost always leads to jams.

4) Rated daily duty cycle. Most scanners publish a daily duty cycle rating, based on the number of pages you can scan in one day and expect normal life from the device. Going over the rated duty cycle shortens the life span of the device.

5) How will support be delivered? If you are thinking about a larger scanner, this becomes more important. An on-site warranty is strongly recommended because of the difficulty in shipping a larger scanner, and the amount of time you can afford to be down in the event of a scanner failure. Smaller desktop scanners require less overall maintenance, and can be returned to depot for warranty work easier. Even spare units can be kept on hand if an extended warranty proves too costly.

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iKAN Software is an authorized reseller of Kodak document scanners