Generation Imaging » microfilm scanning services

2012 Microfilm Scanning Update

GenerationImaging — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:43:58 +0000

Microfilm scanning has been transferring microfilm documents to digital images for many years and chances are that we have all benefited in one way or another. After all, microfilm scanning has been used to convert microfilms from libraries, banks, hospitals and many other common organizations. This process has allowed these and many organizations to better service their customers and this could include you and me at one point or another. Since we are accustomed to a fast paced life style, we tend to demand faster response from our service providers, and microfilm scanning has help close the gap that existed and still exists in many cases. Microfilm scanning is the efficient and safe way to store and quickly retrieve document and this is precisely what allows providers to service customers quickly.

Although this has become a standard, there are many countries that somewhat lag in this technology advancements. Microfilm scanning requires very expensive equipment to be done well and in a timely manner. In addition to microfilm scanning which is used to create digital files from documents stored on microfilm, a good network and system is needed to transfer and process a large number of digital images. This is especially true if additional data processing and indexing is required after the microfilm scanning is complete. These and other obstacles has hindered many companies from advancing into the digital world and continue to operate using hard copy documents or microfilm.

Recently I interviewed a representative from a South America publishing company, who was looking into the possibility of using a microfilm scanning process to convert their large archive of newspaper document stored on 35mm microfilm. In addition, other publishing companies across South America had similar opportunities. The chances to apply microfilm scanning across many organizations and multiple countries with similar needs and similar information is very interesting. Microfilm scanning opens the door for creating a very large data bank that can be shared over the internet and provided to the general public.

Microfilm scanning has become more accessible to everyone thanks to the used of very fast microfilm scanning equipment and reliable delivery sources. A good microfilm scanning service provider can now provide these services at prices that are attainable to just about every organization. When looking for such microfilm scanning vendor, make sure that they can accomplish all your needs at the right price. The best way to do this is to request samples of the deliverable and a written statement with the price commitment. Some microfilm scanning vendors used inferior scanning equipment that can compromise quality. By requesting samples, you will see what your final project will look like upfront and can prevent future issues.

What Are Microfilm Scanning Services?

GenerationImaging — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:45:14 +0000

At the most basic level, microfilm scanning services refers to digitizing roll film. In other words, it is the transfer from analog media to digital format. To break it down even further, it is roll film to tiff, pdf, jpeg, or other image format. The two types of roll film are 16mm and 35mm, not to be confused with movie film.

So in addition to the actual roll film conversion, is another component of microfilm scanning services?

Quality control. Some companies don’t actually check their work, or simply do a quick spot check before sending the project out. What happens is that he burden would get put on you to perform your own in-depth quality check. If you don’t have time or labor to perform a check, there would be a great chance that the images are incorrect, which is a nightmare. Generation Imaging performs four phases of quality control, which are including in our standard microfilm scanning services.

Phase 1: Generation Imaging’s scanner operators actually check their work during scanning. They check their settings. As a failsafe, each project has a project manager and supervisor to verify that the microfilm machines and specifications are correct.
Phase 2: Another worker or workers will audit the scan. The scanner will create a ribbon of the entire roll, and the auditor will manually verify, modify, and- if necessary- adjust quality or rescan the roll.
Phase 3: This is an intense quality control process that meets industry standards. It is performed by a separate quality control team. A significant percentage of images is checked. 100% QC and/or manually adjusting or manually cropping or manually splitting images are add-on microfilm scanning services.
Phase 4: The CD, DVD, or hard drive is checked and image counts are matched.

As you can see there is more to microfilm scanning services than just hanging a roll on the machine. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Generation Imaging’s Microfilm Scanning Services

GenerationImaging — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:19:58 +0000

Generation Imaging is a Florida company owned by Damian Hospital and Dan Gandul that provides 16mm and 35mm microfilm scanning services. They met each other at Lorien Technologies and have been working together since 1998. Prior to Lorien Technologies, Dan worked at First American Real Estate, and in their microfilm scanning services division for 22 years.

Experiencing life is fun, but so is learning from experiences. Damian and Dan have committed themselves to making sure microfilm scanning services provided by G.I. Partners, LLC are efficiently provided to clients with no excuses.

G.I.’s microfilm scanning services include:

-Free quotes and sample testing.

-Creating an Inventory of roll film to compare to your list or database or to build one from scratch.

-Examining the film to make sure it can be scanned or damaged or repaired.

-Digitizing film at 200DPI to 400DPI (and in rare cases higher) as bi-tonal or greyscale images. File formats can be PDF, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, ad various bi-tonal and greyscale image compressions.

-Images can be split, autocropped, manual cropped, grouped by blips, and named whatever you wish.

-All images are audited/check/modified using ribbon software, which guarantees that every image is detected and captured.

-Roll film projects can be outputed to CD, DVD, external drives, USB stick, FTP’ed, or fileshared.

-While your project is in progress and is it completes, you will be informed about it with updates. We will meet our deadline.

What is NOT included in our microfilm scanning services: bait and switch pricing, bad quality work, missed deadlines without notice, lack of communication, or sending your project overseas or to other companies. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Scanning Microfilm Is Our Specialty

GenerationImaging — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:08:04 +0000

Scanning microfilm is a niche industry. Generation Imaging’s founders have been scanning microfilm for decades and can attest to all of the different types of roll film, how a project can start off easy enough but “changes” due to various types of issues, such as film density, film degradation, different reduction ratios, and of course G.I. has the ability to recognize and fix roll film scanners if something goes wrong.

Many companies who have an opportunity or need to convert a sizable roll film project first consider buying microfilm scanners. After they are hit with the price tag for a new machine: $65,000+ assorted fees, they may consider used equipment (cross your fingers on those holding up with no warranty) or less expensive scanners (which naturally output inferior quality). Then they may search for microfilm scanning services. There are many microfilm scanning companies out there, or at least there seems to be.

Here’s a little secret: many so-called microfilm scanning companies online are actually storefronts and middle-men. Others harvest your personal data and sell it. Others may engage in questionable labor practices. If you’d like to go direct for wholesale prices, please contact Generation Imaging for a microfilm scanning cost estimate.

Scanning microfilm at Generation Imaging isn’t just “work”, it’s been a major part of our lives and it’s our career and hobby. We are not fly-by nights, not part of a get rich scheme, do not run some scam, and will not subcontract services.

We assure you that if your organization is seriously considering investing in expensive scanners for a large project, that you should not underestimate everything that could go wrong for such a project. Scanning microfilm for the first time can be a nightmare. Founders Damian Hospital and Dan Gandul know all the ins-and-outs of scanning microfilm and will not waste your time or money on rescanning entire projects or apologizing for not having a quality control system. Generation Imaging will perform the process of scanning microfilm right the first time.

Generation Imaging: microfilm scanning experts

Training, labor, maintenance, network, software, and experience are all factors that go into scanning microfilm. Don’t get too cocky thinking you can pull this off from scratch. You can calculate the numbers yourself to determine the profit margins for scanning microfilm. Just be sure to include all of the x-factors that the machine vendors don’t tell you: rescans, machine breakdowns, software bugs, server problems, accidental deletions, labor issues, quality control standards, and bumps in the scanning microfilm workflow process.

As far as other companies go, instead of believing the hype from them or us, why not give us a chance like other new clients did (see testimonials): ask us for a microfilm scanning quote and send us a sample. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Microfilm Scanning 2011

GenerationImaging — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Microfilm Scanning

As 2010 heads to a close, Generation Imaging just wants to wish you Happy Holidays: Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah. 2010 was a tough year for the economy and we hope all of our partners are hanging on and continue to be prosperous by making adjustments to adapt to this new economy. G.I. Partners, LLC stands ready to assist you with your microfilm scanning conversion as always, no matter if you are a hobbyist, reseller, or government agency. Generation Imaging has been very busy this year, meeting new clients and providing a top-notch microfilm scanning service to our loyal partners.

You can rest assured that your microfilm scanning conversion will be handled with the attention it deserves.
Some new clients may have uneasiness about sending out 16mm or 35mm rolls for the first time for microfilm scanning. However, we want to assure you that we have handled microfilm for decades and never damaged or lost any reels. Damian Hospital and Daniel Gandul have managed thousands of microfilm scanning projects over the years with no issues.

All of your rolls are logged into our microfilm scanning database. After we receive the 16mm or 35mm roll film, we compare the media to the provided log, if there is one. If there were any discrepancies between the provided log and our initial inventory, you would be notified immediately. Every department utilizes this database to update microfilm scanning information. Reports are generated to indicate the status and image count of each reel at any time during the production workflow. Scanner operators wear rubber gloves when handling film. Access is only given to authorized employees. Office requires our G.I. passcode to enter, and has security cameras.

Please feel free to call or e-mail Dan or Damian any day or time for a microfilm scanning quote or information about the microfilm scanning process.

Have a great holiday to close out 2010, and let’s hope 2011 continues to be good for all of us.
Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Microfilm Scanning Bureau

GenerationImaging — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:13:27 +0000

Generation Imaging is a scanning bureau that uses the right kind of digital microfilm scanner to convert your microfilm, microfiche, aperture cards, and Kodak slides. Generation Imaging’s staff has decades of experience with using different types of digital microfilm scanners from various scanner manufacturers, like Sunrise, NextScan, Wicks & Wilson, Canon, Minolta, E Image Data, and others.

Generation Imaging is able to keep your microfilm scanning price down because of their low overhead. G.I. is an ideal partner for other scanning bureaus who wish to outsource microfilm scanning projects.

Why would other scanning bureaus that have scanning equipment outsource to Generation Imaging? There are quite a few reasons:

1) Scanning Costs- Depending on the volume, time-frame, and labor costs of your microfilm scanning project, it is very possible that G.I.’s scanning costs may actually be lower. Some scanning bureaus don’t have a smooth microfilm scanning production set up and it can really be a hassle sometimes.

2) Scanning equipment- not all digital microfilm scanners are created equal- some name brands are better than others, some scanners have additional modules, higher resolutions, more imaging filters, and faster image output rates. At the most basic level, some scanning bureaus don’t have a microfilm scanner, microfiche scanner, aperture card scanner, or Kodak slide scanner.

3) Work Overflow- there are some microfilm scanning projects that are so big, that a scanning bureau needs to either buy a new digital scanner or partner up with another scanning bureau. Some scanning bureaus can be hit with a bunch of smaller projects that need to be outsourced as well.

4) Film Scanning service- at Generation Imaging, co-founders Damian Hospital and Dan Gandul are trustworthy, efficient, productive, technically orientated, and practice outstanding customer service.

5) Corporate pricing- some scanning bureaus get handcuffed by their corporate office when it comes to giving low prices for an internal microfilm conversion. Subcontracting the film scanning service to G.I. is an excellent alternative.

6) Microfilm government RFP bids- in addition to offering low microfilm, microfiche, and aperture card scanning prices so scanning bureaus can be in a better position to win government RFPs, G.I. also provides other micrographic services, such as microfilming, archive writing, Florida document scanning, microfilm duplication, paper blowback printing, and more. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Trusting a Microfilm Scanning Company

GenerationImaging — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:24:30 +0000

Although in today’s economy price has become the main dictator for many when choosing a microfilm scanning company to perform such scanning services as microfilm conversion, microfiche digitizing, aperture card scanning, microfilming, archive writing, paper scanning, and other processes, trust should go a long way as well.

What is trust? For a business-to-business relationship that means Generation Imaging understands that you have deadlines and need a certain standard of quality. Many times in this industry there is confidentially with subcontracting microfilm scanning, and Generation Imaging respects that.

Damian Hospital, who has been the customer service point-man for the last two decades in this industry has never violated confidentiality or gone after end clients for subcontracted microfilm jobs. Damian has never manipulated clients in bid situations and always gives the same price if two or more companies are competing for the same project. Damian is an extension of your production crew, sales team, and technical support.

Dan Gandul’s reputation for honesty and integrity is well known throughout the Florida microfilm scanning production circles- some even say he’s too honest. Dan and Damian both do the right thing when it comes to pricing, service, business ethics, and communication. GI has the personal references to show this.

Damian and Dan are not afraid or shy to put their faces on the front page because Generation Imaging’s whole appeal is that these two men will be 100% responsible for your microfilm project. When it comes to skill, Damian and Dan are known as the cream of the crop when it comes to setting up scanners up and running production here in Sunny Florida- bar none- just ask around. When it comes to digital imaging technical skill, you can be rest assured that Generation Imaging will bring out the best potential of your images and microfilm.

Dan and Damian have put their reputations on the line with Generation Imaging and they will not let you down. GI is willing to scan one roll or one microfiche for a small minimum fee, and GI stands ready to scan large volume microfilm and microfiche projects. GI is open-minded and strives for mutually beneficial partnerships.

About the Co-Founders of Generation Imaging

Daniel Gandul and Damian Hospital worked together at Lorien Technologies for over ten years. Damian Hospital held senior position in marketing and customer service. He played a major role in developing customer relations, assisting with technical expertise, training key production personnel, and servicing customer accounts. In addition, Damian is a technical writer and scanner operator.

Daniel Gandul was a co-founder of Lorien Technologies and was the VP of production operations. As part of the senior management team, he was also responsible for developing company plans and company budgets. Prior to Lorien Technologies, Daniel worked for First American Real Estate solutions for over 22 years. He was part of the management team and had the responsibilities for the operation of multiple production departments, including the development and operations of the microfilm scanning department. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

List of Generation Imaging Services

GenerationImaging — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:01:31 +0000

Generation Imaging offers a wide-range of digital imaging and microfilm scanning services, such as:

16mm and 35mm microfilm scanning
microfiche scanning
aperture card scanning
microfilming
archive writing
Florida document scanning
high volume color slides
data entry and indexing
image processing (PDF, TIFF, OCR conversions)
Paper blowbacks (printing)

G.I. Partners, LLC of Florida is very open-minded about providing services for you even if you have your own microfilm equipment. Sometimes it may be more cost-effective or quicker to subcontract work to us. We can offer excellent pricing for RFP government bids as well. We want to foster mutually beneficial business-to-business relationships. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Microfilm Scanning

GenerationImaging — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:29:51 +0000

Generation Imaging is a microfilm scanning company founded by G.I. Partners, LLC of Florida, and is run by Damian Hospital and Dan Gandul. We are composed of the most experienced and detail orientated microfilm scanner operators, managers, and customer service representatives in the United States. No microfilm or microfiche scanning job is too big or too small for us- we stand ready for 20 million images or one roll. Due to the hit the economy has taken, GI realizes and understands the importance of offering low microfilm conversion prices and low microfiche scanning prices. However, do not let our below market microfilm scanning prices make you think your project will be rushed out- Generation Imaging has assembled an experience quality control team, and uses the latest software to ensure your images are top-notch.

Please contact Damian Hospital directly at 954-851-6970 or Dan Gandul directly at 786-227-3042 and by e-mail damian@generationimaging or dan@generationimaging. Dan and Damian want you to be Generation Imaging’s business parter, and they are more than willing to assist you with technical questions, assist with government RFPs, and remember- there’s no such thing as a “stupid question”. In the microfilm scanning industry, many people use different terms, and since microfilm scanning is a niche market, we understand that some processes may be foreign or new to some. Damian and Dan have the patience, knowledge, and take care of you as a client by being fully and quickly accessible. Anyone who has done business with Damian Hospital from the customer service end, knows that he responds faster than an automated robot and will not rest until you are satisfied. Dan Gandul is matchless when it comes to explaining microfilm scanning production.

With a dedicated staff with years of micrographics and digital imaging experience, the Generation Imaging team have been providing digital microfilm conversions and image indexing services for government agencies, microfilm service bureaus, large corporations, small businesses, and other organizations since the 1980′s. With the recent economic hardships, GI has been able to gather a team with a wealth of professional microfilm scanning experience.

Using the best microfiche scanners, microfilm scanners, and aperture card scanners, indexing software , Quality Control methods, and image processing software, our digital imaging conversion includes not only includes microfilm scanning services, but we are just as efficient in microfiche scanning, aperture card conversion, Florida document imaging, OCR, autocrop, manual crop, deskew, TIFF to PDF, multi-tiff, multi-pdf, CSV files, txt files, duplex image splitting, fully-customizable imaging processes, creating databases , microfilming, microfilm duplication, and other microfilm and microfiche processes.

Generation Imaging’s microfilm scanning services include scanning all types of microform, such as 16mm roll film, 35mm roll film, 16mm 3m or Kodak cartridges, 16mm COM continuous film, duplex film, aperture cards, source document jacketed fiche, 35mm fiche, oversized large format fiche, 35mm color slides, and other media.

In addition to our relatively low overhead, new technology applications has played a major role in microfilm scanning cost cut. Over the past few years, improvements in image capturing and processing tools, faster processing capabilities, and development of more efficient scanning equipment, has increase productivity many times over what it was just a few years ago. For example, for 16mm roll film, you can expect to see an 80% lower scan cost from the early 2000′s. This price trend started before the current economy changes took affect.

Our clients will benefit from the price cuts, but another important advantage is that we all benefit from quality and service improvements also. Although the microfilm scanning cost has been lowered, the quality of the output images has been increasing . We can now capture and process images with much higher quality standards, thanks to the advancements of the latest systems available.

For Dan, Damian, and the rest of the Generation Imaging team, it is a pleasure to serve your microfilm scanning needs. Please feel free to contact us for microfilm quotes or project details.

Damian Hospital damian@generationimaging
954-851-6970 (cell)

Dan Gandul dan@generationimaging
786-227-3042 (cell) Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC