Many organizations and private individuals handle microfiche on a daily basis to access their information. Although this has been a common practice for many years, microfiche scanning technologies has been changing this dynamic. Whether you have 16mm film, 35mm film, COM fiche cards, or aperture cards that store your documents, you are probably thinking there has to be a better way.
The process of microfiche scanning has been around for some time now, only a few well established microfiche conversion organizations- like Scanning Depot- have the required equipment and knowledge to safeguard your film and to achieve the best possible digital conversion results. Microfiche scanning companies will transfer the information you have on your microfiche to a digital format, such as TIFF, JPEG, PDF, etc. Digital imaging is ideal for storing and retrieving documents.
In the meantime, while you are still using your microfiche as your document source, make sure you do all you can to conserve the integrity of the fiche. This is the first step in microfiche preparation. Keep the fiche cards in a temperature and humidity control environment. The fiche also has a very sensitive side which is called the emulsion side. This is what makes up the image on the film. It is very sensitive to scratches.
Lastly, there is the issue of time. If your microfiche is beginning to smell like vinegar, you need to consider document imaging as a way to preserve the information. The smell you sense may be the natural process of your fiche decomposing. If you do nothing, you may lose all, your data.
Digital imaging is ideal for storing and retrieving documents.
