The Economy And Microfilm Scanning

The effect of the economic calapse has trickle down to most industries. Gas prices were high when this began, and it was only a matter of time before the recession cloud hit the microfilm scanning industry.

The peak of economic fear, in my view, was during the presidential election. So it was no wonder that many government agencies, counties, cities, and corporations kinda put a freeze on their willingness (and purse strings) to put money into their digital microfilm conversion. These organizations may have lots of information on 16mm roll film or 35mm roll film. Some may even have the data in microfiche cards, making the use of this information very slow.

Of course, after President Obama's inauguration, the bail out, and after some better signs from the stock market, more and more organizations are once again looking at their budgets and are finally realizing the importance of a 16mm or 35mm microfilm conversion. The bottom line is that converting microfilm to image will save your organization money in the long term.

It's too costly to go out and buy microfilm scanners, get trained, and hire new workers to run the machines and come up with a microfilm scanning process flow, but it's not too costly to get your 16mm and 35mm roll film converted by Scanning Depot. At less that a penny per image, sending roll film to a company that provides microfilm scanning services is still the most cost effective thing to do.

Digitize Microfiche and Microfilm

If you are an imaging service bureau, microfilm company, or document archiving company, Scanning Depot offers great opportunity to maximize your profits. Subcontracting microfiche scanning to Scanning Depot enables you to add a new profit center to your existing business at absolutely no cost to you.

Scanning Depot  has highly experienced staff  today, and are experts in fiche scanning, COM fiche scanning, digitizing different microfiche types (such as 16mm rolls 35mm rolls, and 35mm jackets), document imaging, digital imaging, and have various microfiche scanners.

How Much Does It Cost to Scan Microfiche? (really)

How much does it cost to scan microfiche? Why is there so much variance of microfiche pricing between microfilm scanning companies? The cost of fiche scanning depends on the microfiche type, so Step 1 would be to identify the type of microfiche to be digitized. Step 2 is to determine the volume of the microfiche digital conversion (how many cards and how many images are on an average card).

For example, COM fiche has around 208 to 270 frames and is computer generated. From an experienced microfiche scanning company like Scanning Depot, you can get one of the lowest prices on the market at the image level.

Jacketed microfiche generally contain under 70 images per card (usually they have a few rows of 16mm film strips). Step-and-repeat microfiche can fall under either fiche category depending on the image layout on the fiche card. The same can be said for rewritable microfiche.

For a related blog article, see Types of Microfiche to help in identifying the various types of microfiche cards.

Digitize medical records

Does your medical office, hospital, or private medical practice have a desire to digitize medical records for easy electronic retrieval? Is it on COM fiche or jacketed microfiche? With President Obama's stimulus package, $19 billion dollars is being allocated to motivate medical offices to digitize their records.

Scanning Depot can digitize and convert 16mm microfilm rolls, rolls of 35mm microfilm and microfiche cards, and are experts in microfilm scanning, microfiche scanning, aperture card scanning, and large volume document scanning.

Wal-Mart to market digital health records system

With Wal-Mart and Sam's Club are getting involved in digitizing health records from doctor's offices and small medical practices. eClinicalWorks is providing the software. I wonder if any of these guys know that Scanning Depot has the capacity to scan these same types of records from 16mm microfilm rolls, 35mm microfilm rolls and even from microfiche cards, at a super low price. It may be cheaper for them to outsource all of the microfilm conversion process to Scanning Depot.

With President Obama's stimulus package including $19 billion in incentives to digitize medical records, many companies are looking for microfilm scanning, microfiche scanning, or paper document scanning.

Microfiche document imaging

Microfiche to digital image conversion and indexing has come a long way over the years. You can make searchable pdf files (OCR and ICR) from your documents so you can search for specific information. This is more difficult if the images reside on 16mm microfilm or 35mm microfilm or some other format like microfiche cards. This is just one example of what information technology has done to improve document management and document imaging.

There are many ways that you can index your documents to make the images more useful. These include a process of data entry and indexing of vital information. Data entry is basically the process of entering information from your documents into a database. The type of information that is captured in this process is later used to find the documents that you need. The database used in this process stores the name and location of an image, and links the information to the images so that when you search for a name or address, for example, the document is displayed. Many times this information is located at the fiche header label.

Indexing is also a term used to describe the data entry process. Some people relate this term to the process of organizing information by some searchable format. In general it is the same as data entry. You should contact an experienced and well-established company.

Digitize microfiche

Are you looking for the best solution for your microfiche inventory or your roll film conversion? Are you looking to do away with the cost of maintaining the microfiche or microfiche library ? Are you concern with aging microfilm or your microfilm decomposing?

If you have thought of any of these situations, you should probably contact a qualified professional. Scanning Depot can help you if you are in this situation. We will provide you with the solution that best suits your microfilm needs.

Converting your jacketed microfiche, COM fiche, step and repeat fiche, and rewritable microfiche to a digital format has many advantages. It saves valuable space, eliminates the labor of maintaining a microfiche library, can provide an efficient storage and retrieval system, and allows for an efficient customer service process, and more.

In light of the economic issues we are all facing, a digital microfiche conversion process is less of an option and more of a necessity. It just makes sense. The initial investment is recovered in a short time, not to mention if microfiche degradation is already an issue.

Scanning Depot will help preserve the integrity of your documents, no matter what the business economic conditions are. We can provide you with the best price, regardless of the size of the project. And if turnaround is a concern for you, Scanning Depot can work 24/7 to make sure your business does not miss a minute.

Microfilm Scanning And Digital Conversion

Microfilm to digital image conversion and indexing has come a long way over the years. You can make searchable pdf files (OCR and ICR) from your documents so you can search for specific information. This is just one example of what information technology has done to improve document management and document imaging.

There are other ways that you can index your documents to make the images more useful. These include a process of data entry, indexing of vital information, and blip capturing from film. This may not sound familiar to some, but these processes are quite common and straightforward for an experienced company. Here is some explanation of what I mean:

Data entry is basically the process of entering information from your documents into a database. The type of information that is captured in this process is later used to find the documents that you need. The database used in this process stores the name and location of an image, and links the information to the images so that when you search for a name or address, for example, the document is displayed.

Indexing is also a term used to describe the data entry process. Some people relate this term to the process of organizing information by some searchable format. In general it is the same as data entry. Most images may have been stored on 16mm roll film, 35mm roll film, microfiche cards, or some other format that required a digital conversion.

Blip capturing is somewhat different. If your microfilm has little tick marks or tiny marks under the frames, these may be the blips, and it may contain important information about the documents. With the right equipment, and experienced operator can extract this information during the conversion process. The information capture here may serve to group the documents so that the data entry may me simplified or eliminated all together. This will reduce and in some cases, it may eliminate the cost of indexing to you.

In general, capturing and identifying your documents in a microfilm conversion project can be simple and cost effective. There are many advantages to converting your microfilm and it can be done quickly and is not expensive. You should contact an experienced and well-established company like Scanning Depot for additional information on your microfilm scanning project.

Digitizing 3M 16mm Microfilm Cartridges

Experts at Scanning Depot have been performing digital microfilm conversions for over 15 years, including 3M or Kodak 16 mm microfilm cartridges. 16mm Roll film cartridges ere difficult for some microfilm scanning companies to work with, but we have developed a method to digitally convert roll film cartridges successfully.

Many school systems microfilm their student records on 16mm roll cartridges, and we've handled numerous school record digital conversions. Many school systems want their images indexed by Student Name and Graduation Date, although due to poor filming and handwriting. We have resolved all issues relating to the microfilm conversion and indexing methods that were needed for the customer.

Some companies purchase microfilm scanning equipment to scan their rolls of microfilm and later find out they don't want to do it. If you have a used microfilm scanner that you like to sell, we can buy it from you and we can also convert you microfilm to digital images at an unbelievable low price.

Fiche scanning and document imaging

Digitizing microfiche has many benefits, including the electronic retrieval of your indexed digital images. Whichever type of microfiche that goes through the digitizing process (COM fiche, jacketed microfiche, rewritable fiche cards, etc.) can be indexed by the image or named by folder grouping, just like your current filing system. Since COM fiche and jacket microfiche were originally used in a filling system, naming of files and directories to match the system is ideal. The box, batch, envelope, or the data on the fiche header labels can be utilized to index the images, depending on your needs.

Sometimes people refer to microfiche cards as pages of microfiche. At times these leads to some confusion since a microfiche card can actually contain many pages or documents of information within each microfiche card. We are always digitizing microfiche cards that contain COM (computer output to microfiche) images, jacket microfiche cards, these are cards with images from 16mm rolls or 35mm rolls of microfiche. It is common for us to convert very high volumes of microfiche and we are always looking to buy used microfilm scanners to supplement our resources. 

I Need To Buy a Used Microfilm Scanner For 35mm Film

I have to buy a used microfilm scanner to scan 35mm rolls, and I need it soon. If you have one I can offer to buy your system. I have hundreds of 35mm rolls and my company will not send it out. I came across brands names of microfilm scanners on the net that will do the job. These are Nextscan, Wicks and Wilson, Mekel, and Sunrise. If you have one of these used microfilm scanning systems, please let me know.

New systems we found out are too costly so a used microfilm scanner will have to do. If you have one or can recommend me to someone, please let me know. Also, 35mm microfilm scanners come with instructions and I hope that if you have a used microfilm scanner that you still have some of these information. Either way, any information you can provide will help.

I Am Searching To Buy a Used Microfilm Scanner

I have to scan many 16mm rolls of microfilm internally for my firm. I need to purchase a used microfilm scanner that is in works. New systems are very expensive and this is why a used microfilm equipment may work for me. If you have a microfilm scanner that you are not interested in keeping anymore, and want to sell it, please contact me.

I looked up on the internet systems made by  Wicks and Wilson, Mekel, Sunrise, Nextscan and others, but new systems are too expensive for my project. The16mm rolls are silver black copies. I have many of them so the microfilm scanner needs to be a production microfilm scanner. If you are selling your used microfilm scanner or if you have an old microfilm scanner that you don't know the real conditions of it, I can tried to find out.

Buying a microfilm scanner?

With so many microfilm scanners on the market to perform document imaging, before you go out and invest hundreds of thousands of dollars on scanning equipment (or buy used document scanners on ebay with no warranty), you should consider the cost effectiveness of having a microfilm scanning company perform the digital conversion. Scanning rolls of microfilm requires expensive equipment and knowledge.

If your organization or company has 16 mm roll film or 35 mm roll film, it is generally cheaper and quicker to have Scanning Depot convert the microfilm than it is to invest in Sunrise, NextStar, Wicks & Wilson, or Mekel scanners. These microfilm scanning equipment are expensive to buy.

You may feel that spending money on microfilm scanners is a quick solution, but it's not. Consider labor, scheduling, training, and maintenance. Also consider what you want to do with the microfilm scanners after you complete the digital conversion. Do you want to get into the niche market of digital microfilm conversion? Or will your microfilm scanners sit and depreciate in value?

Trust me, learning how to digitize microfilm in a production environment is not as easy as you may think, especially when you have to supervise and manage the document imaging processes. When you include the hours of labor to the cost of scanning hardware and software, you are not looking at a profit.

That's why companies and individuals send their microfilm to Scanning Depot. Even microfilm scanning companies with their own scanners send film to Scanning Depot because of the time and cost benefits.

35 mm Jacket Microfiche Scanning

A 35 mm film microfiche conversion may not require different microfiche scanner hardware accessories than 16 mm jacketed fiche. And when it comes to the digital microfiche conversion, the final product is not different when comparing 16mm microfiche to 35mm microfiche images. An exception would be the actual image file size and dimensions.  

Generally, maps, blueprints, and engineering drawings are contained on 35 mm jacketed microfiche cards, however, there are many cases where 8.5 x 11 images or 8.5 x 14 images are present on 35 mm film. Of course, 16 mm film can also contains maps or blueprints. "35mm and 16mm Combo cards" also exist. These are cards that may contain various size images like images from index cards, 16mm roll film, 35mm roll film and so on.

From the technical standpoint, the reduction ratio or aspect ratio is very different. Most 35mm film was reduced 12-16x, while 16mm film usually ranges from 20 to 48x. The scanning price for 16mm microfiche and for 35mm microfiche can also be different.

How to Know What Film Size to Use for Different Size Originals

A 35 mm roll film conversion requires different microfilm scanner hardware and accessories than 16 mm roll film, such as larger rollers and guiders. However, when it comes to digital microfilm conversion, the final product is not different when comparing 16mm roll film images to 35mm roll film images, but the file size can be and that can affect cost.

Generally, maps, blueprints, and engineering drawings are contained on 35 mm roll film, however, there are many cases where 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14 images are present on 35 mm film. Of course, a roll of 16 mm film can also contains maps or blueprints.

From the technical standpoint, the reduction ratio or aspect ratio is very different. Most 35mm film were reduced 12-16x, while 16mm usually ranges from 20 to 48x. e-size drawing are usually filmed on 35mm roll film due to the size of the original.

Microfiche Scanning Companies

In surfing the web and tracking microfiche scanning trends and news, I always come across store front websites from microfiche scanning companies. Based on their content, you can tell sometimes how they may be operating and how they will be handling your project You should be careful when looking for microfiche or microfilm scanning companies, investigate before committing. You can ask for references and even ask them to make a sample for you. This may give you a better understanding of the company you are working with.

When it comes to experienced and legitimate document imaging companies, Scanning Depot will handle your microfiche digital conversion project with professionalism and care.

Convert film to images and indexing

The value of microfilm scanning or converting microfiche to create digital images is greatly increased when it is properly indexed. Index information can be manually keyed via data entry, run through an OCR process to create text search able PDFs, barcode extracted, or blip extracted.

For film that contains "blips" or image markers (small counters created when the film was made), we can extract the information those blips represent. For example, a roll of 16mm film or a 35mm roll of microfilm may contain student records with a large blip indicating the start of a new student's folder, and a small or medium blip indicating the pages within that folder. The output file name format for blip-extracted images can be arranged in any way you like - in a multi-tiff, in sub-directories, or by data key indexing each master blip.

Kodak Oracle Bar-code extraction is another of our capabilities. Similar to blip-extraction, we can retrieve data from Oracle bar-coded frames. When the bar-codes are consistent and clear, we can use this data for indexing purposes and/or provide the information as the image file name. Scanning Depot has indexing software that can accommodate documents that have a book and page numbering system, or fields such as SSN indexing, Name and Date, or other data fields. Coupled with our quality control and validation, would assure that the digital images are named correctly for any microfilm conversion.

Microfilm Scanning Tips

Scanning is the process that transfers a document, microfilm, or microfiche, from the microfilm to a digital format. To perform this process yourself, and obtain good results, you need to get a good understanding on how this scanning equipment works. You need to invest top dollars in purchasing a good microfilm scanner (Sunrise, NextScan, Mekel, Wicks & Wilson, Ristech DRS), imaging software, and technical help. In addition to the expense of the equipment, you may need additional expenses for the training to operate the scanner. Not all microfiche scanners are suited the same for all types of microfilm (for example, NextStar can scan 16 mm or 35 mm roll film with severely poor contrast and horrible edge detection), so get well inform before investing. Other systems may need better microfilm to get good results.

Another option is to consult with an expert before you invest big money in buying microfilm scanners. Experts at Scanning Depot have helped many organizations understand all about film scanning, as well as providing them with alternative solutions. Others needed additional understanding of the concept, and others relied on Scanning Depot for the actual conversion process. We have unprecedented experience having converted over one billion images. It is important to be properly equipped with the best systems to provide the best possible quality and also the best prices.

Microfiche scanning techniques, part 3

The process of microfilm scanning is very important and requires the knowledge of an expert to assure that it is done correctly.

Scanning is the middle process that transfers a document from microfiche to digital format. To perform this process and obtain good results, you need to get a good understanding on how  scanning equipment works. You need to invest top dollars to purchase a good scanner (Sunrise, NextScan, Mekel, Wicks & Wilson) imaging software, and technical help. In addition to the expense of the equipment, you may incur additional expenses for the training to operate the scanner. Not all microfiche scanners are suited the same for all types of microfiche, (for example some can scan COM fiche better than others) so get well inform before investing.

Another option is to consult with an expert before you invest big money in buying microfiche scanners. Scanning Depot can help you understand all about scanning, as well as providing you with alternative solutions. Throughout the years, hundreds of individuals and organizations have been helped by experts from Scanning Depot. Some customers only needed supporting documentation to promote their microfiche conversion project. Others needed additional understanding of the concept, and many rely on us for the actual conversion process. A company equipped with the best scanning equipment will be best positioned to provide the fastest turnaround time at competitive prices.

Microfiche scanning techniques, part 2

In the initial stage of a microfiche conversion project, some important details should be outlined.

Let's first start with your fiche cards. There are variations of microfiche types. For example, your microfiche may be a silver original or a diazo duplicate, 16 mm or 35 mm frames may be included. There are other fiche types, like COM fiche, jacketed fiche, step-and-repeat fiche, and rewritable fiche. They all have their purpose. You also need to understand how the fiche was produced so that your newly created digital image can be brought back to the correct magnification and aspect ratio. The price to convert your microfiche may be affected by the type of microfiche cards you going to digitize.

Secondly, let's touch a bit on digital imaging. This is the term used for the document file in its digital format. Images are stored in computer drives and can be manipulated in many different ways with the proper imaging software. Images may be measured in height, width, and also pixels. The size of the images will affect its quality, and can also affect the transfer speed between you and your customer, and how long you need to wait to view the image. Let an experience team from a reputable microfilm scanning company help you through this process. Find the best possible price in the market.