Generation Imaging » Scanning

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.

Converting Microfiche to PDF

GenerationImaging — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:04:36 +0000

Converting microfiche to PDF is most easily accomplished via a microfiche scanner. There are many different types of microfiche scanners made by various manufacturers and distributed by different resellers. Each type of microfiche machine has different quality settings. Using a flatbed scanner or photo camera is out of the question.

Buying a microfiche scanner may also be out of the question depending on your budget and technical experience. The best way to complete your microfiche to pdf project- regardless if you have one or one hundred thousand- is to have a microfiche to pdf company perform that service for you.

Damian Hospital and Dan Gandul, co-founders of Generation Imaging, have scanned thousands of microfiche to PDF jobs in these last few decades and have seen all types of fiche and variations. Your project would be in good hands.

The microfiche to PDF cost has been on the way down since 2006, due to many factors, including the increased speed of microfiche scanners, increased competition of those companies that use these services, and the trend of outsources microfiche to PDF overseas.

As wholesalers, Generation Imaging is able to keep the microfiche to PDF price as low as possible, all while keeping your project in Florida- with no outsourcing or “creative” server subcontracting.

Microfiche to PDF can result in single pages (one frame = one image) or multi-page PDFs (all frames on a microfiche = one ‘giant’ image).

Other file formats include microfiche to TIFF, microfiche to JPEG, microfiche to PNG, and other compression variants. Microfiche to PDF can result in greyscale or black-and-white images.

Please feel free to contact Generation Imaging for a microfiche scanning quote.

A Microfiche Machine Offers Low Cost Scanning

GenerationImaging — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:06:23 +0000

So you are looking for a microfiche machine. If so, you probably have some microfiche cards and you need to view the contents in it. Some people when looking for a microfiche machine, find a microfiche viewer. These microfiche machines are different from a microfiche scanner. A microfiche viewer projects an image for viewing, while a microfiche scanner creates a digital file to view in a computer.

These two distinctly different microfiche machines are widely used for the same reason. However, the scanner is the modern microfiche machine that is recommended because it offers the user a great deal of functionality. The images that a microfiche machine creates as pdf or jpegs, can be stored in your computer just as a digital picture. Microfiche machines of these type are very expensive and are usually bout by large a microfiche scanning company. You can contact us if you have a handful of microfiche cards or many thousands of microfiche and you want our microfiche machine to convert your images to digital. Our microfiche machine can generate whatever format images you like.

The advanced microfiche machine we use is extremely advanced and creates very high quality files. These files can be copied to a pc and sent through the internet. The difference between a viewing microfiche machine and a scanning microfiche machine is like day and night. The price is very different, but with the help of a scanning company, you don’t need to worry about the cost. In fact, the cost to use our microfiche machine can be cents per image. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

A Microfiche Machine Instead of Microfiche Viewer

GenerationImaging — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:33:17 +0000

The difference between a microfiche viewer and a microfiche machine that scans microfiche cards is in the resulting file. A microfiche viewer lets you view an image by projecting the information on a screen. If you want to view a second image, you move the microfiche to a different position. This type of microfiche machine is totally manual and can not store any information for later use. A microfiche machine that scans has many advantages. These microfiche machines are called microfiche scanners. This microfiche machine is designed to create a digital file of the images. When a microfiche machine creates a pdf or jpeg image, you can store the resulting image on a computer for viewing and for later use.

A Microfiche machine is very expensive and I don’t recommend you go buy a microfiche scanner for scanning a few microfiche cards. Instead, you can contact a company that has a microfiche machine for scanning microfiche cards, and have them convert your microfiche. Companies that have a microfiche machine can make whatever type file you like from your microfiche. Since they already have a microfiche machine, they can charge you a very low microfiche scanning cost to convert your microfiche. This is the most economical method to convert your microfiche cards.

It is recommended that you find the right company with a microfiche machine but also with reputation and integrity. The microfiche machine should be high quality and the operators need to be experts. You can read more about this services in related article or you can give us a call. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Florida Slide Scanning Services

GenerationImaging — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:55:46 +0000

Generation Imaging provides Florida slide scanning services to anyone who has a need to convert color or monochrome slides to digital images, such as JPG, PNG, PDF, or other file formats. We have the capabilities to convert a handful of slides or hundreds of thousands of slides.

The benefit of 35mm slide scanning allows you to store, copy, share, and print the images as much as you’d like. It is a great way to preserve your memories, family history, publications, or sporting events.

There are a lot of slide scanning price advertisements all over the internet. Many ads are awfully aggressive, but they have fine print. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Generation Imaging’s slide scanning pricing depends on the volume of color slides you have and if you need any indexing or data entry done.

All of our work is done in South Florida. Each image is quality checked and rotated to right read.

Types of slides include 35mm, 35mm half frame; Generation Imaging also digitizes 35mm photo negatives, film strips, and various types of photos.

Generation Imaging’s core business is microfilm scanning and microfiche scanning, but we also provide such imaging services like slide scanning, aperture card scanning, 16mm microfilming, 35mm microfilming, document scanning, OCR, and indexing.

Please contact Generation Imaging for your slide scanning price quote. Please let us know the volume and if you have any format requirements. In turn, we will let you know our price per slide and turnover time. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Scanning Company Creates New Trend

GenerationImaging — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:17:36 +0000

The trend to convert all sort of information to digital is all around us. Many people are still using microfiche cards and want to digitize them For that, you need a microfiche scanning company. A scanning company can convert all types of microfiche cards and create pdf or jpeg files. In fact, for the last few years scanning companies have been used furiously to convert everything from newspaper articles to airplane manuals and everything else in-between.

Scanning companies that specialize in this field have help develop and construct the infrastructure that exist today. Without the aid of scanning companies, the information on microfiche would be impossible to convert to the appropriate digital format. This is one of the first steps necessary that allows the advancement of data storage and retrieval systems to a more up to date digital platform. Scanning companies not only scan the microfiche, but can also process images to achieve various output systems requirements.

But a scanning company can go beyond the scope of helping the industry. We have helped many individuals who are looking to digitize personal information. Also people that do lots of research are also getting the help from a scanning company that can convert small collections of microfiche cards. This service from a scanning company is essential for people who don’t want to spend too much money to get their microfiche converted to pdf. A good way to get your microfiche converted to digital is to come to a reputable scanning company with years of experience. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

The Florida Microfilm Scanning Company

GenerationImaging — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:59:50 +0000

Our Florida microfilm scanning company was used to resolve a microfilm scanning need for a local government agency. In this case, the county had a requirement to digitize 35mm microfilm and create gray scale pdf files and index the files according to specific criterion. With the experts at our scanning company, the project was a success. The county made many requests along the way, and it was a learning experience for the county participants as were able to help communicate various options out scanning company offers.

This is a typical development a scanning company should expect to run into during a microfilm conversion project. The experts at our scanning company have resolved similar issues for many years. If you have a need for a microfilm or microfiche conversion process and are interested in contacting anyone of the experts at our scanning company, please let us know. Some of the most productive events happen at he very beginning of the process, when you are just becoming informed of the options and possibilities available from the scanning company.

A good scanning company will find out what your needs are by asking questions related to your project. Whether you have the right answer or not, this feed back set the stage for additional line of questioning that will ultimately inform you of details that may be crucial to you. The idea, from our scanning company point of view, is two-fold: One, we what to make sure you make the best possible decision that will generate the best results for you. Second, we want to make sure we as a scanning company fully understand your needs. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Records Scanning and Old Microfilm Systems

GenerationImaging — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:38:06 +0000

Records scanning is closing a gap that widens as technology advances. A good way to view this is to compare requirements to use system before and after records scanning. By this I mean comparing a system that uses hardcopy format records and one that made use of records scanning and is all digital imaging.

A government office in Chicago Illinois is now in the process of converting harcopy documents to microfiche. This would not include records scanning because the documents are instead filmed and then place on microfiche. The microfiche retrieval system will create a hardcopy type system without the benefit of advanced technology. Records scanning is more in tune with computer and internet systems.

Faster and more efficient services has always lead the way. Records scanning fits right inline and serves the purpose of fulfilling this need. Records scanning enables advanced systems to take advantage of the digital images to provide a fully automated storage and retrieval system. Prior to records scanning, a microfilm system requires lots of human intervention that is much slower and more expensive to maintain. Nevertheless, some companies still need to maintain a microfilm system. But, sooner or later, records scanning will probably be considered, if not for efficiency, for safety issues. Microfilm has a limited life span as well. There are many other reasons for records scanning and the best way to become aware of this is to contact a professional.

Computer Output Microfilm

GenerationImaging — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:13:28 +0000

Computer Output Microfilm is the rarest of 16mm roll film types (ironically Computer Output Microfilm is a very popular form of microfiche). Because of the nature of most COM reels not having regular edges like normal 16mm roll film, converting COM rolls into digital image can be quite a challenge. Thankfully, Generation Imaging has tons of experience working with all kinds of Computer Output Microfilm.

An example of Computer Output Microfilm

If the COM roll is blipped (small markers on the outside of the frames) and the frames have fixed sizes and are equidistant from each other, although the scanner operator must be highly experienced and the setup time is lengthy, it is theoretically possible to scan the Computer Output Microfilm without problems.

If the COM roll does not have blips, the highly skilled scanner operator must used advanced detection algorithms to attempt to find a sense area and setting to capture each frame by itself. Again, the Computer Output Microfilm must pretty much be perfect to pull this method off.

If none of the above methods will work, the expert scanner operator will have to scan the COM images as strips of frames. By padding an overscan and setting the backup, the operator can assure that no frame is missed. However this method requires post-processing: the frames must be manually cropped or split to create individual frames.

Generation Imaging offers scanning solutions for converting COM reels to PDF, TIFF, or JPEG. Please contact us today if you need this type of roll film to be converted to digital images. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC

Reselling Microfiche Scanning Services

GenerationImaging — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:24:01 +0000

Reselling microfiche scanning services is an excellent way for your company, organization, or you to have access to a stream of revenue without investing in equipment, labor, office space, training, or liabilities. For example, let us say you work for a litigation company and one of your clients- in addition to needing documents converted to PDF- also has a collection of microfiche containing payroll records. Let us also assume that the set of fiche contains 1,000 cards.

It doesn’t make sense to perform the microfiche scanning on your own for the following reasons:

Cost. Why buy a new microfiche scanner for $65,000 to digitize something worth around $4,000?
Inferior scanners. There are scanners that are cheap (like $10,000) but what type of quality would you expect from low level camera technology?
Labor, training, workflow. Do you really want to incur money up front costs to expand your company just to handle 1000 COM fiche?

Anyway, after you spend some time investigating all of these options and have meetings about the feasibility of your company doing the microfiche scanning, you will realize that it is more efficient to outsource the microfiche scanning.

Since Generation Imaging is a wholesale service bureau you will get a below market conversion price, which will give you room to add on to the price to your end client, i.e. reselling the microfiche scanning service. After all you are the one responsible for taking care of your end client, you are taking the risk, and you will be the one servicing the end client.

Generation Imaging can be your silent partner for reselling microfiche scanning services, or if you totally don’t want to get involved you could simply have us go direct and we’ll give you a commission- it’s your choice. Copyright G.I. Partners, LLC