The Green Sheet 028

THE J

F u ll c o v e r a g e of th e D o c u m e n t M a n a g e m e n t i n d u s t r y , in a l l i t s f o r m s .

JJ

INCORPORATING THE M I C R O G R A P H I C S MARKET PLACE AND THE M I C R O G R A P H I C S NEWSLETTER

Issu e NO. 28

ISSN 1476-3842

JULY / AUGUST 2004

Special Feature on

Scanning

also in this issue:

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Full pa ge

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£

6 5 0 .0 0

H a lf p a ge

138 x 19 0 o r 2 7 5 x 9 3

Q u a rte r p a g e

Administration C a ro le N ixo n Design P au l E nsor

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Editor T im N ixo n

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10

Cost

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9 1 0 .0 0

S ' 1' x 7 ,/* or 1 0 v‘ x 3 v>

US$

5 6 0 .0 0

5 v‘ x 3 !/‘ or 2 ' u x 7 '/•

USS

3 5 0 .0 0

USS

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2 !/‘ x 3

Eighth pa ge

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Artwork should be supplied as 3 0 0 dpi images on CD or Z ip Disk as TIFF, EPS, JPEG, PDF, Quark Xpress, Photoshop or Illustrator files.

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alphabeticalorder

Anacomp .............................

Cardamation ......................

Connecticut Micrographics Crowley Micrographics......

Dass Laboratories ..............

DSS UK............................... e-Im ageData .....................

GB Products........................

Genus..................................

GG Baker ...........................

Gloscan...............................

Indus ...................................

Intelicoat .............................

Kodak ..................................

Mercury Visuals ..................

MicroVue Products .............

MSTC................................... nextScan .............................

Penny Im aging ...................

Solar Microfilm Equipment Sun Rise Imaging ............... .

Trans Media Technology...

Western Micrographics .....

Wicks & W ilson ..................

US $ 2 0 1 6 .0 0

x 7 v»

M IC R O G R A P H IC S M A R K E T IN G LTD. 65 W inchester Drive, Burbage, Leicestershire LE10 2BA, United Kingdom Tel: + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 4 7 6 3 8 2 3 2 8 Fax: + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 4 7 6 3 8 2 3 1 9 Mobile: 0 7 9 7 0 2 4 8 1 4 6 U.K. E-m ail: g s in fo @ g r e e n -s h e e t.n e t U.S. E-m ail: M N g re e n s h e e t@ a o l.c o m Visit our Web Site at: w w w .g r e e n - s h e e t.n e t

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THE UK CENTRE FOR MICROGRAPHICS CONVERSION ' ■'

CONTACT

4 825888^

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SALES@GLOSCAN.CO.UK

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WWW.ROLL-FILM-SCANNING.CO.UK w w w .f ic h e -s c a n n in g .c o .u k WWW.APERTURE-CARD-SCANNING.CO.UK WWW.PAPER-SCANNING.CO UK

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Microfilm scanning keeps film relevant and a preferred media - in a digital world There are many ways to conveniently and economically convert film holdings to digital while preserving microfilm archives.

by Mitch Badler - US Editor Even in today’s digital age, microfilm, for long-term and archival storage, remains a very big business, especially in the US. Government agencies - particularly on the state and local levels - often work under legislative injunctions to keep analogue copies of vital records and files to back up digital copies in the short term, and as the archival copy for the long term.

For example, birth, wedding, and death records, building permits and police files frequently fall into those categories.

Also legislative, tax, educational, medical, and court records, to name just a few categories, are generally retained long term on film.

There are 3,800 counties within the 50 states and the agencies within the states and counties (including municipalities) continue to be very major users of microfilming, either done internally or outsourced to commercial bureaux. The cumulative result is trillions of images residing on film.

In addition there are major industries, such as the nuclear power industry, where records must be kept indefinitely and microfilm remains the archival medium of choice. In the health field, most hospitals must keep patient records for the life of the patient and frequently, as a legal protection, for the life of the institution. With growing recognition of the weaknesses of digital systems and media for long-term protection, film retains its proven role as the archival medium.

The result of these uses, above and beyond those of government agencies, is billions more images on film.

The two-tier system But, whilst microfilm is a proven long-term storage medium, not subject to the rapid technical obsolescence that marks digital systems, even film’s advocates admit it isn’t as suitable for immediate access and distribution of information. As a result, what many organisations have done is to combine the two technologies creating a single comprehensive information storage system that meets both immediate needs (with digital) and long-term archival needs (with film). That’s where film conversion systems, creating digital images from stored microfilm images, enter the scene.

The conversion is done via microfilm scanners (i.e. film digitisers). These fall into two main categories: high speed, production volume units and lower speed on-demand hybrid reader-digitisers. Each has its place and champions, depending on the need.

High speed production systems High speed production volume film scanners are built to handle large volumes of work and, if necessary, be used around the clock. Consequently, they’re usually found at service firms or at large in-house installations, government or private. Such sites have the ongoing volume, whether through massive backfiles or a variety of outsourced business, to justify such units.

Some of the government installations are based on security needs more than on volume. The information contained on the film images is classified and can only be scanned by employees with appropriate clearances.

Prices for such production volume film scanners range, in USdollars, from mid- five figures to well into six figures.

Exact prices depend on the unit’s capabilities, hardware and software configurations, options, accessories and custom modifications. While speed is an important factor in determining price, that term defines more than raw (quoted) speed of the scanner. It means the productive throughput of quality images.

Listed alphabetically, the leading manufacturers of high volume production film scanners are DRS, Mekel Technology, nextScan, SunRise Imaging and Wicks and Wilson.

On-demand film scanning systems When users refer to on-demand microfilm scanners they essentially mean reader-digitisers with built-in viewing screens. These units are slower and lack the ruggedness of production systems, but they don’t need those attributes since they are not called on for volumes of backfile conversions.

“On-demand” is their specialty as well as their definition.

Often they are also set up to produce printouts from, as well as to, scan film images. Prices for such units generally run from under US $3,000 to the lower five figure range.

There also are sub-categories within the field of on-demand scanning systems. One is add-on units that attach to a reader screen, digitise the screen image and transfer it to electronic memory.

Another sub-category includes scanning units that are linked directly to a PC, use the PC’s viewing screen, and memory.

One such is the Kodak i7300; another is Fuji’s M Drive.

Still another sub-category is the hybrid filmer/digitiser. This simultaneously films and scans material to create both film and digital output. These hybrids range in price from the lowto mid- five figure range up to around US $100,000.

Manufacturers of on-demand systems include Agfa, Alos, Canon, Eastman Kodak, e-Imagedata, EyeCom, Fuji, Minolta, S-T Imaging, ScreenScan and Zeutschel.

Special niche units Aperture card scanning is low end in terms of volume compared to roll film and microfiche, but there is still a demand for it, so all four production volume manufacturers offer units designed for, or that accommodate, aperture card scanning.

A number of on-demand reader-digitisers can also accept aperture cards by using special carriers that may be built into the system or available as options.

With two exceptions, all of the production film scanners and on-demand reader-digitisers can be defined as “pure"

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microfilm scanners. The most notable exception is EyeCom’s ImageMouse, a “frame grabber” in which a small CCD camera substitutes for the traditional film scanner. However, to the end user it works as if it were a film digitiser.

What’s available?

The following is a brief summary, presented alphabetically, of currently available film conversion systems - production volume units, on-demand reader-digitisers and specialty units.

For more detailed information, consult the web sites noted after each listing.

Production volume conversion units DRS (Digital Reprographic Systems) based out of Germany have developed a production microfiche scanner for use in their own Service Bureau as well as for resale worldwide. DRS have been in operation since 1998.

The DRS Microfiche Scanner has some unique characteristics.

Each image is captured in its entirety before moving on to subsequent images. This enables the DRS to produce extremely high quality grayscale images with minimal rescanning.

The DRS has been engineered to run unattended. It is able to automatically feed up to 200 fiche or 100 jackets. Misfeeds are practically eliminated by the incorporation of a special fireproof wood built in to the fiche hopper. Misfeeds caused by static are now a thing of the past.

1400 images per hour are achieved with source document or COM images. Given that the DRS is able to operate unattended operators are free to perform quality control procedures while the DRS is running.

The entire fiche is captured including the title block. This enables the user to OCR the title strip eliminating the need to open the document in order to enter the index data. If it is not possible to OCR the title strip the Overview Image is there to index from. In addition the Overview Image ensures that all the images have been captured in their entirety.

Canadian based Ristech Company is the North American distributor.

For more info: www.digital-repro.de or www.ristech.ca Mekel Technology, a division of Crowley Micrographics, earlier this year at the AIIM Show debuted its model 625 rollfilm scanner. It offers up to 150 frames per minute (fpm) production scanning doing 200 dpi at 24X reduction and output of up to 300 files per minute. Model 625HS is faster, doing up to 200 fpm. Both models accept all standard 16mm and 35mm film types and output in all standard image formats. To improve scan speeds, all image enhancement takes place at the board level, not in software.

Mekel also has an improved version of its 56GS microfiche scanner. The new version uses a shorter optical path and has new optics, lamp circuitry, camera and firmware. Throughput is between 800-2,400 images per hour, depending on input fiche and jacket quality. visit: www.mekel.com or www.crowleymicrographics.com nextScan’s latest production unit its the Mercury, a mid-range rollfilm scanner. The compact unit delivers 120 pages per minute and can create grayscale and bitonal images simultaneously without a reduction in output speed. The Mercury is similar to nextScan’s Eclipse and Phoenix rollfilm

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scanners in terms of camera, lighting and chip technology. It comes with nextScan’s Fusion software.

The upgraded Phoenix is a 2-in-l rollfilm scanner. Originally released as a 220 ppm rollfilm scanner, it now also can scan up to 300 ppm and create grayscale and bitonal images without reducing output speed. (See page 9) For more info: www.nextScan.com SunRise Imaging, now owned by Advanced Digital Research, just announced the SunRise 2500. Soon to be available, the new unit will have a computing engine with a processing speed of 3.0 GHz and a 30 GB hard drive with speed of 15,000 rpms. The new system will run under Microsoft XP OS and will include the largest available optical media recorder, e dual layer DVD/CD that gives the user the ability to record and archive almost 9 GB of data on a single disk. Standard recordable CDs also can be used.

SunRise also announced a new Product Exchange Program.

This will allow users to exchange older scanners for the new SunRise 2500. Dennis Childs, president, SunRise Imaging, said the company will allow exchange of all older SunRise models or upgrades of more recent models such as the 1000, 2000 or 2000+. (See Page 10) For more info: www.sunriseimaging.com Wicks and Wilson, the longest standing manufacturer of film conversion equipment (30+ years), recently debuted its newest rollfilm unit, the RS 300 ScanStation. The higher speed unit will do 325 bitonal frames per minute at 200 dpi and 162 fpm at 400 dpi. Resolution is 100-600 dpi. 256 level grayscale output is available as an option. The unit produces continuous data output in a stream of contiguous files.

WftW’s SCANFILM software powers the RS 300 and offers “Graphical Wizards” that allow advanced scanning features such as blip code detection and image sizing to be set up quickly and easily. Image enhancement uses WEtW’s SMARTSCAN technology. Intelligent page cropping automatically sizes the image from the film without operator intervention. Deskewing and centring are automatic while framing, rotation, zooming and logging are manual functions.

Film input can be by reel, spool or cartridge. Film reduction. ratio varies from 7.5X - 50X on 16mm, to 36X on 35mm.

Most standard formats are accepted. The unit is certified for US and European usage and works on a Windows 2000 XP operating system. The RS 300 joins the slower RS 100, RS 150 and RS 200 in WEtW’s line of rollfilm scanners. The company also offers aperture card and microfiche scanners and a COM plotter.

Wick’s and Wilson’s rollfilm scanners are distributed in the US through Lason.

For more info: www.wwl.co.uk On-demand reader-digitisers Agfa in Europe offers its SC51 hybrid scanner-camera with a rated scanning speed of up 320 DIN A4 ppm. Scanning resolution is 200 dpi. The hybrid unit offers microfilming, scanning or both at the same time since it combines an SC51 scanner head and a CD51 microfilm camera. It can scan documents in simplex or duplex mode for digital image processing and do simultaneous filming onto 16mm rollfilm.

For more info: www.agfa.co.uk ,AL0S’s newest entry is the Z-Scan 46 microform scanner. It is a universal desktop unit that accepts all type of film -16mm,

The difference is in the PERFORMANCE

CS 7 5 0 Aperture Card Scanstation •

Up to 7 5 0 cards per hour

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AGI greyscale output

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High productivity, 24-7

RS300 Roll Film Scanstation •

Up to 3 2 5 frames per minute

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Simultaneous greyscale and bitonal output

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FS200 Microfiche Scanstation

High productivity, 24-7

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Up to 100 frames per minute

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AGI greyscale output

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High productivity, 24-7

'Excellence by design'

■ or

W icks and W ilson

Wicks and Wilson Limited, Morse Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 6PQ, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1256 842211 Fax: +44 (0)1256 840997 Email: sales@wwl.co.uk Web:www.wwl.co.uk

offers a 12” x 12” screen and takes the same lenses as the ALOS Z 43 reader-printer. Multiple carriers also are available as options. Features include standard and auto image rotation, manual zooming, 6.5 second page scanning speed, optical resolution of 410 dpi and 200-800 dpi scanning density. The Z-Scan 46 can be connected to a laser print for copies. Scanned information can also go straight to a PC for electronic filing and/or distribution.

For more into: www.alosusa.com Canon’s DR 5060F, like Agfa’s SC 51 is a hybrid system. It is essentially a digital scanner with a built-in microfilm backup system. It can simultaneously record images to a PC and to 16mm microfilm. A medium-speed unit, the DR 5060F can scan at speeds up to 100 ppm, including different size originals in the same batch. There is a choice of 24X or 57X reduction on the 16mm output. Canon also offers a line of standard microfilm reader-digitisers, including the MS-300 and MS-350, the latest additions to that line.

Visit: www.usa.canon.com or www.canon-europe.com Eastman Kodak’s i7300 is Kodak’s replacement for the Intelligent Microfilm Scanner (IMS). The i7300 is faster than its predecessor at approximately 25 images per minute. It also operates more quietly than the IMS. A relatively fast ondemand 16mm scanner-digitiser, the unit offers the option of being able to use Powerfilm software as well as IMS-designed software. Kodak also offers a software module that allows a seamless bridge between a paper scanner, Kodak’s Archive Writer (which converts digital images into microfilm) and the i7300.

For more into: www.kodak.com/go/di e-image Data’s most recently introduced film scanners are the ScanPro 35, that reads large format film images, such as those on aperture cards or 35mm film, and the ScanPro Direct. The latter offers all the standard features in the established ScanPro line plus the ability to print directly to a laser printer with no computer required. Still available are the ScanPro 400, a digital reader-printer with USB connections, as well as the earlier ScanPro 300 and 200 models.

Visit: www.e-imagedata.com or www.microfilm.com EyeCom offers its ImageMouse and DRS 3000 workstation.

The portable, tabletop ImageMouse is a “frame grabber” rather than a film scanner because a small CCD camera substitutes for the traditional film camera. The most advanced model in the ImageMouse line is the ImageMouse Plus. This includes a motorised combo-carrier that accommodates 16mm and 35mm film on open reels and also aperture cards.

The DRS 3000 workstation is a compact but high resolution unit that views images in negative or positive mode.

Originally designed to view and convert microfiche and jacketed images, it also offers optional manual roll film, motorised rollfilm and motorised 3M and ANSI carriers.

For more info: www.eye.com Fuji’s M Drive microfilm scanner is a desktop unit that connects to a PC. It has been on the scene for more than half dozen years and there have been few major changes in the hardware, but Fuji is continually upgrading software (through software partners) to, in effect, change and improve performance. As one example, blipped and non-blipped film can now be read on the same M Drive, whereas once a user

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has been price reductions on the basic unit.

For more info: www.fujifilm.com Indus, in addition to being the exclusive US agent for ScreenScan, has added the Super Carrel 3-step reader-printer to its line. It is a hybrid designed for the library field and combines the Super Carrel Library reader with digital scanning and printing capabilities. Three versions are available. One is the Super Carrel 3-step RP that prints and is attached to a laser printer. Another is the Super Carrel with ScreenScan Model PC. This unit can scan and send TIFF images to a PC from the Super Carrel. The screen is letter size. A third version is the Super Carrel with a ScreenScan Model A3. This allows filip images to be scanned and TIFF images sent to a PC. On this version, the size of the screened area is ledger size (11” x 17”).

For more into: www.indususa.com Minolta’s established MS6000 and MS7000 digital microfilm scanner-printers are being sold through Konica dealers as well as through Eastman Kodak, which brands the units as the Kodak 2400 and 3000DSV. For more info: www.minoltausa.com or www.kodak.com S-T Imaging this summer introduced a line of on-demand digitising scanners for rollfilm designed for libraries. The new ST 200 series allows users to scan, fax, e-mail or print a microfilm image for future reference.

S-T Imaging also introduced the ST 100. This unit has a direct viewer combined with the CCD-based linear digitising screen.

It is designed primarily for the genealogical market. (See Page 8)

For more into: www.stimaging.com ScreenScan, distributed in the US by Indus, remains the leader of retrofit digitising systems. It offers three basic models of its system. Model 100 attaches directly to a reader or RP screen and allows the image to be digitised and sent to a cableconnected PC. The-PC model, a letter-size PC-based system, is a step up from the Model 100. The A3 Model is an 11” x 17” PC-based system that attaches to a variety of A-3 readerprinters and allows their large format images to be converted into digital images. ScreenScan can also retrofit its PC model to an opaque reader, a feature created for libraries with microcard collections.

For more info: www.screenscan.com Zeutschel, which is distributed in North America by Crowley Micrographic and in the UK by Best-Tec, offers its Omniscan 1000 16/35mm microfilm scanner in three versions,: the MS production model, the SP scan-to-print and scan-to-file-ondemand model, and the OS colour microfilm model. The MS and SP models are both 256 level grayscale and black and white units whilst the OS has 36-bit colour. The line comes with impressive quoted speeds: 160 images per minute for 16mm film at 200 dpi and 60 images per minute for 35mm film at 300 dpi. Features of all models include automatic image detection and image splitting, auto scanning and automatic film stop at film end. Image output is to all standard formats.

Zeutschel’s older OMNIA OK 3000 is a hybrid colour camera/scanner system that allows microfilming of documents onto 16/35mm rollfilm and simultaneous digital scanning at rates up to 800 dpi. The OK 3000 can also be used as just a scanner or microfilm reader.

For more info: www.zeutschel.de, www.best-tec.ltd.uk or www.crowleymicrographics.com

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Introducing KODAK i30 and i40 Scanners P r o v id in g c o m p a c t d e s ig n a n d a d v a n c e d im a g in g fe a tu re s f o r d e s k to p s c a n n in g Eastman Kodak Company has announced the expansion of its award winning scanner portfolio with two new document scanners that deliver exceptional image quality, productivity and ease of use. The new scanners are aimed at a wide range of businesses from small offices to large organisations with the need to scan documents within a document management, archiving or workflow solution. Kodak has included valuable software, which provides optical character recognition and scanning directly to so called searchable PDF files, enabling users to search for textual information in the scanned documents.

The Kodak i30 Scanner supports high scanning speeds of 25ppm in mono and full colour (at 200dpi single sided) while the Kodak i40 Scanner allows scanning of both sides of a document simultaneously (duplex) with up to 50ipm in mono and colour. The short and reliable automatic document feeder with a capacity of up to 50 DIN-A4 sheets prevents jamming, and feeds smoothly a wide variety of documents with different qualities and sizes.

Both i30 and i40 Scanners fit easily on every desktop, in front or back office. Ease of use is a key benefit of the new scanners. Inexperienced or infrequent users will find the scanner very easy to operate, as all features like paper size detection, deskew, cropping, multi feed detection and intelligent thresholding are standard and fully automatic.

The new i30 and i40 Scanners feature the advanced integrated Kodak Perfect Page Scanning image processing technology.

Perfect Page Scanning includes state-of-the-art features, which allow scanning documents of different sizes, orientations, contrasts and colours automatically. Even the most challenging and mixed documents are scanned without the need to change the scanner settings. Kodak Perfect Page Scanning increases the readability and character recognition of scanned documents significantly. It virtually eliminates the need for time-consuming rescans. Kodak Perfect Page Scanning improves the productivity of the scanners to a maximum, because it operates at full scanning speed, and simplifies the operation for users at the same time.

These small scanners feature a 600dpi optical resolution and electronic colour drop-out for forms processing. Both scanners support a wide range of scanning applications with the bundled Kodak-developed TWAIN and ISIS drivers. The new scanners can scan reliably document quantities of up to 1.000 pages per day. The scanners are also Kofax-VRS compatible.

Professional-level bundled software offers features that maximise the value delivered from the i30 and i40 models right out of the box. Kodak Capture Software, Lite, a powerful capture client for workgroup applications. ReadIRIS Pro Corporate Edition V8 provides office productivity such as optical character recognition and scanning directly to searchable PDF files, enabling the user to search, copy and paste textual information from scanned documents. PDF files, the most common format for electronic document distribution, can be shared over the network or uploaded to a Website.

The scanners are equipped with a USB 2.0 interface and cable for convenient Plug and Play installations, whilst for those users who might not have a PC with USB connectivity, a USB 2.0 card is also bundled with the scanners.

“The KODAK i30 and i40 Scanners offer unprecedented image quality with advanced imaging features, and value for money.” said Robert Bijster, Marketing Manager of Eastman Kodak Company’s Document Imaging Group in Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Kodak provides the broadest product portfolio in the production scanning industry and now, customers in the workgroup segment can benefit from Kodak’s 75 years of experience in the document imaging arena. The new i30 and i40 models reflect our ongoing commitment to deliver innovation our customers can count on.”

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S-T IM A G IN G INTRODUCES LO W -C O SI USER FRIENDLY DIGITAL M IC R O F IL M SCANNERS New class o f digital microfilm image viewing and retrieval solutions uses separate camera and scanner systems to optimise view and capture At the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Convention, Orlando, Florida on June 25, 2004, S-T Imaging introduced a low cost, demand-based digitising scanner for roll microfilm, allowing researchers to scan, fax, e-mail, or print a microfilm image for future reference. Specifically designed for use by library patrons - the ST 200 Series brings new “digital” life to microfilm reference libraries.

The reality of library budgets is that they are stretched, but under continuing pressure to provide good customer service, including digital retrieval of microfilmed archives. The ST 200 series is designed to keep the cost of the system low, while improving image quality and ease of use. This is accomplished by moving to an all digital solution for the viewing and the scanning tasks. This eliminates the need for expensive lenses, mirrors, and glass platens found in traditional projection reader/printer/scanner systems. The ST 200’s design uses standard PC USB and monitor connections, and also eliminates expensive SCSI connections and proprietary video compression hardware, so there is no need for a proprietary PC. Its compact size and light weight make it easy to unpack and assemble. Unlike other microfilm readers, the ST 200 operates under normal, ambient lighting. As a result, the ST 200 can be operated anywhere in the library. The ST 200 provides high resolution, edge-to-edge quality images, handles both negative and positive film, and network connectivity allows the utilisation of the library’s charge account system or a debit/credit card for billing purposes, rather than using a cumbersome and time-consuming coin-op system.

The ST 200’s digital camera gives a direct video feed of the image to a monitor, with a fast refresh rate of 20 frames per second. A separate linear light system that tracks along the film, adjacent to the scan head, eliminates the central ‘headlight’ and dark edges that users can get from competitors’ image projection-based scanning systems. The manual or motorised film transport enables researchers to quickly locate the film image (or frame) that they need. The ST 200 series uses a CCD based linear scanner to capture the image directly from 16mm or 35mm standard microfilm onto a PC, interfaced via a standard USB (Universal Serial Bus). The user friendly ScanWrite software simplifies the scanning and retrieval process for both today’s computer generation and first-time users. Simple icons allow for editing; printing; storing on a CD; faxing; or e-mailing selected images or selected parts of them.

President of S-T Imaging. “For example, obtaining a uniformly clear image for viewing, while simultaneously obtaining an accurate scan, is difficult. Most vendors have scanned from a projected image, resulting in image degradation and distortion. To address these issues, we have separated the two processes, and therefore obtain ar^ exceptionally clear view of each frame image using the system’s integrated digital zoom lens. We can then capture the viewed image using an optical scan resolution of up to 2700 dpi directly from the surface of the film, NOT from the projected image. This provides exceptionally sharp, clear images with an even light and contrast, corner to corner. This electronic, digital image can now be faxed, e-mailed, copied or printed, as the patron desires. The new products are proving very popular and advance orders have already been placed by select customers of our authorised dealers who had an opportunity to preview the system. We are particularly proud to have been selected to entirely outfit the state-of-theart showplace, the new downtown location of the Seattle Public Library.”

Many of the authorised dealers are participated in the introduction of the new systems by showcasing them at the ALA show. S-T Imaging also introduced the ST 100 which has a direct viewer combined with the CCD based linear digitising scanner, and is designed primarily for the genealogical market. The ST 100 and both the manual and motorised ST 200 were demonstrated on S-T Imaging’s booth.

All models are currently in production at ICT, a subsidiary of Digital Check Corporation, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA and are available now. Manufacturer’s list price is $1,995.00 for the ST 100 with preview lens viewer and digital scan; $5,995.00 for the ST 200 with manual film advance, and $6,995.00 for the motorised film transport. ST 200 units include a digital film viewer and complete scanner. All the scanners include the software to view, scan, print, store, fax and e-mail images.

S-T Imaging and ICT (Image Capture Technologies) are wholly owned subsidiaries of Digital Check Corporation (previously known as Microseal), located in Northfield, Illinois, USA. S-T Imaging is a leading distributor of microfilm readers, universal film carriers, digital microfilm viewers and scanners.

Contact: Wayne Rogozinski, S-T Imaging, Inc. Tel: 847-501-3344 or e-mail: info@stimhging.com

FREE INFORMATION G G Baker & Associates - suppliers of unbiased reference works for over 30 years - invite you to use their very extensive website at

w w w .g g b a k e r.c o m The U K 's m ost comprehensive directory o f document m anagem ent products and services.

“With current models, library patrons face a number of challenges and limitations related to viewing and capturing images from rolls of reference microfilm,” said Tom Anderson, 8

Tutorials relating to electronic docum ent m anagem ent micrographics a n d hybrid systems.

The content is regularly updated and can be accessed without charge.

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F IL M SCANNERS FROM NEKTSCAN Mercury 120 ppm Mid-Range Rollfilm Scanner New scanner gives consumers a powerful, low cost option for film conversion projects nextScan, the provider of the next generation in film scanning technology released their mid-range rollfilm scanner, Mercury at AIIM earlier this year. Mercury was designed to meet the needs of companies that have film conversion projects on a tight timeframe and budget. The powerful, compact scanner will deliver images at 120 pages per minute and creates grayscale and bitonal images simultaneously without a reduction in output speed. Designed for ease of installation and use, the highly reliable Mercury produces superior image quality for those that demand the best from their scanners.

“In surveying our customer base, we determined that there was a need in the market for a mid­ range rollfilm scanner that mirrors the quality delivered in our other scanners. nextScan is employing the newest and most innovative technology in rollfilm scanners today, all at an affordable price, and Mercury is no exception. Mercury is built like our production level scanners - with the latest in camera, lighting, chip and software technology. The scanner comes standard with our Fusion software that provides, among many things, Adaptive Speed Control for optimal throughput, 10 bit Gamma correction and Advanced Auto Thresholding, all with a helpful and fast nextAssist wizard. Mercury will fill a gap in the market for a much needed low-cost rollfilm scanner that provides quality, reliability and speed. nextScan would deliver nothing less,” said Erin Dempsey of nextScan.

no board need be installed in the PC - just plug and play. The Mercury also supports large format film reels and other advantages include no re-scans during setup, dual detect bands, fast straight line film loading, film cleaning rollers and high speed rewind.

Microfiche and Rollfim Scanning with the Phoenix 2 -in -l Scanner that offers new life to old SunRise rollfilm scanners now adds microfiche in as an option nextScan also announced the release of the Phoenix 2-in-l rollfilm and microfiche scanner at AIIM. Previously released as a 220 page per minute rollfilm scanner, Phoenix can now also scan microfiche at 125 pages per minute - faster than other fiche scanners currently available. The Phoenix scanner from nextScan was originally designed to give new life to slow, outdated SunRise 16 and 35mm rollfilm scanners by providing new technology within the housing of these older scanners. Now productivity can be increased for customers that wish to scan rollfilm and microfiche with the innovative technology nextScan puts into all of their scanners - superior camera technology, fiberoptic light source to eliminate hot spots and uneven lighting, 10 bit, antiblooming camera array that enhances image quality, and a simple one board design to eliminate the chance of heat related failures.

Said Erin Dempsey, “The microfiche transport for the Phoenix was the next logical step in our product development plan.

There is a need for one scanner that has the capability to scan both rollfilm and microfiche at high speeds for quick and easy conversion. We are excited to meet customer demand with a product that delivers far more features and capabilities.”

The Mercuty rollfilm scanner is designed to scan 120 pages per minute with no reduction in output speed for grayscale or bitonal. The scanner was designed with a small footprint and is the first rollfilm scanner to use USB connectivity, meaning

Phoenix will scan rollfilm at 220 pages per minute and microfiche at 125 pages per minute. The scanner will scan grayscale and bitonal images at the same time without a reduction in output speed and nextScan’s Adaptive Speed Control will optimise the scanner by automatically adjusting for network bottlenecks.

The nextScan Fusion software that accompanies the Phoenix scanner nextScan Scanners for Rollfilm or Microfiche has an intuitive user interface with a handy nextAssist wizard, Eclipse: Lightning fast production level rollfilm scanning at 300 pages per minute. automatically detects which M ercury: Rollfilm scanning at 120 pages per minute for conversion on a tight budget. module is installed for scanning, Phoenix: A product designed to f it within the housing o f older SunRise scanners. can output multiple image types Rollfilm at 220 pages per minute and Microfiche at 125 pages per minute. simultaneously, can run multiple Get the superior performance you've always wanted in a scanner instead of the filters in real-time with no rescan technology you have been forced to accept! and has the capability to detect document edges on poor quality "We are sure nextScan scanners ivill play a key role in our continued growth in the market" film with its dual detection bands.

Spencer Woolley, MyFamily.com -

Quality, Speed, Reliability.

The largest provider ofgenealogical data over the Web. nodScon, Eclipse, Mercury and Phoenix are trademarks of nexlScon. A l other company and product names are trademarks or reg.Oered trademarks of * * * respective holders

The N ext Generation in Film Scanning Technology OAO C l i

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ZUOO I 4-4CXXJ • WWW.neXtSCan.COfT!

Contact: Erin Dempsey on +1(910) 864-2044 or Email to erin@nextscan.com

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NEXT-GENERATION M ICROFILM SCANNER T h e C o m p u tin g E n g in e o f th e N ew S u n R ise 2500 is cla im e d to be th e m o st p o w e rfu l in th e S ca n n in g In d u stry SunRise Imaging, Inc., a global leader in high-performance microfilm scanning products, recently announced the SunRise 2500.

“SunRise Imaging, a pioneer in the microfilm scanning industry, with the largest installed base in the world, is taking the next step by designing into the system the latest in computing technology”, said Dennis Childs, President, Sunrise Imaging, Inc. “the SunRise 2500 will have the fastest computing engine with a processing speed of 3.0 GHz and a 30GB hard drive with speed of 15,000 RPM.” The new system will run under Microsoft XP 0/S and will include the largest optical media recorder, a dual layer DVD/CD (Read/Write), which gives the user ability to record and archive data of almost 9GB on a single disk. Of course, standard recordable CDs can be used as well. The system will include a front-loading 128 MB USB flash drive.

The SunRise 2500 will continue to have the flexible, modular 31 design that handles multiple microfilm formats and allows the customers to switch between rollfilm, microfiche or aperture card formats, as needed. The SunRise 2500 captures data at true resolution without software interpolation and scans at both high and low resolution.

Childs added “The new 2500 will scan at much faster speed than the previous model, SunRise 2000+. SunRise is very serious about the microfilm scanning industiy and will continue to announce new innovative designs in the future”.

Product exchange programme Your older scanner models exchanged fo r New SunRise 2500

SunRise has also announced the introduction of the “SunRise Product Exchange Programme”. The idea is to exchange the oldfcr scanning system for the new SunRise 2500 just introduced.

“We would like our customers to compare the features of the new SunRise 2500 with other products in the marketplace to see what SunRise has designed into the system”, continued Dennis Childs.

“This exchange programme gives all SunRise users an upgrade option to the next generation high end systems”.

The new exchange programme will include an exchange for all the older SunRise models, including: DMS50, SRI50, P90, P I50, ProScan III and ProScan IV. The later models of SunRise, the S1000, S2000, and S2000+ are upgradeable. SunRise Imaging has also extended the exchange programme to include scanners from Mekel, Wicks ft Wilson and NextScan.

The exchange will include the latest ScanFlo software and a full one-year limited warranty. The programme will start August 1st and continue until December 31st, 2004.

For more details on the Product Exchange Programme or the full range o f scanners contact Sunrise Imaging by Email: ojfer@sunriseimaging.com or call: 1.714.505.1144

DIGITAL CHECK RELEASES NEW CHEQUE SCANNER Digital Check Corporation (DCC) recently announced the release and first shipments of the new TellerScan TS 210 cheque scanner.

The TS 210 is DCC’s latest addition to a most comprehensive line of low cost cheque scanners. Over 25,000 DCC countertop cheque scanners have been installed or ordered worldwide, including the largest teller-window installation in the world, and up to 90°/o market share in Singapore’s “Cheque Truncation” market.

The TS 210 is a compact (only 5” x 8” footprint), low cost, dual sided cheque scanner for the teller window, corporate customer, or other applications, that can scan at the rate of up to 30 cheques per minute. The TS 210 is ideal for capturing items quickly at the teller window, in commercial environments, for low volume ARC payments, cheque cashing, or for back office reject/re-entry exception items. It features two separate scan heads to scan both sides of the cheque quickly, while magnetically reading the cheque’s MICR codeline data, and an optional inkjet printer provides inline endorsements on the back of each cheque prior to scanning.

Image output is 24 bit colour, 8 bit or 4 bit grayscale, and black and white.

replacement for those users who have individual MICR readers installed, but now want to capture a complete image of the cheque as required under Check 21 legislation. The TS 210 offers DCC’s Best Read MICR to yield the most accurate MICR red rates, while providing the highest quality images and maximum CAR read rates.

“TS 210 incorporates the latest colour and grayscale scanning technology giving a crystal clear image of even the most demanding cheques, and operates twice as fast as our TS 200. Our latest HP programmable endorser has been improved to provide more than double the capacity of competitive units with an estimated 5-7 million characters printed before changing, yielding 250°/o to 300°/o more capacity at half the cost. The TS 210 shares a common API with all other TelierScans, which means that the TS 210 can be easily mixed with other DCC TellerScan units without re-programming. It also means that increasing cheque volumes can be quickly accommodated by upgrading to a faster model such as the TS 220, TS 350 or TS 400 without application changes, and software maintenance becomes less costly.”

The new TS 210, which is manufactured at DCC’s factory in Rancho Cucamonga, California, is available immediately at a recommended list price o f $1,495. For volume pricing levels, please contact Mark Vose, Western Region Key Account Sales John Gainer, Executive Vice-President at Digital Check Manager, at 916-788-0120, or Je ff Hempker, Eastern Region Key Corporation said, “This new scanner is based on the world’s top < Account Sales Manager, at 770-887-4319. selling front office scanner - the TS 220. It is an ideal Visit their web site at: www.digitalcheck.com

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Call or email today and find how you can qualify for the

including: DMS50, SRI50, P90, P150, ProScan III, and

powerful high-performance new SunRise 2500 in

ProScan IV. The later models of SunRise, the S1000, S2000,

exchange for your older microfilm scanner at incredible

and S2000+ are upgradeable. SunRise Imaging has also

pricing. This includes the all new ScanFlo software and

extended the exchange program to include scanners from

a full one-year warranty.

Mekel, W icks & W ilson, and NextScan.

The SunRise 2500 has the fastest computing engine with

Contact SunRise today and take advantage of this great

a processing speed of 3.0 GHz, a hard drive at 15,000 RPM,

opportunity.

w ith a dual layer recordable DVD, and an overall increase in m icrofilm scanning throughput for all media types.

The new program w ill include an exchange for all the older SunRise models.

Phone: 714.505.1144, Fax: 714.505.4082 Email: sales@sunriseimaging.com In Europe Phone: +44.208.255.2011 Fax: +44.208.255.2093 Email: sales@sunriseimaging.co.uk

S u n R ise ÂŽ SunRise is a registered trademark of Sunrise Imaging, Inc All right reserved

the mICRamm Dynamics is CHnnomD\ an Has CHanoEa

By Laurie VarendorffARMA (Laurie.Varendorjf@tpg.com.au) The microfilm dynamics in Universities, Libraries, Archives and Genealogy centres is changing, or has changed, from the standard format that has been in place for the last 60 to 70 years.

Hey! Hang on a minute, microfilm is the same flavour it has been now since the 1930’s, 16mm roll film in open spools or 3M or ANSI cartridges, 35mm roll film in open spools or (if you had a Kodak 1824 reader printer) those wonderful 35mm C type cartridges, jackets, aperture cards and from the 1960’s microfiche.

What has changed or is changing? - The Technology!

Since the introduction of 35mm microfilm in the early 1930’s it has been used extensively for the microfilming of newspapers since 1938 and the microfilm was accessed on readers or printed from reader printers (using a photographic process) since that time by Universities, Libraries, Archives and Genealogy centres and like institutions.

Things got much better in the 1950’s and 1960’s with the commercial introduction of wet electrostatic photocopier type reader printers and the 3M dry silver paper units and then really accelerated with the introduction of the dry pressure fuse electrostatic reader printers from Fuji and others in the 1970 and 80’s. With the introduction of plain paper reader printers in the early to mid 1980’s things really began to hum.

Universities, Libraries, Archives, Genealogy centres and others used reader printers and, to a greater extent, photocopiers (due to their higher volume of prints produced) as revenue-raising projects to pay for the hardware, or at least to get some return on their investments, by charging for the prints produced via the use of coin boxes and more recently charge card systems. Due to the lower volumes produced on the reader printers it is questionable if anyone ever broke even on the return on investment and covered overheads with this charging for the prints produced.

With the introduction of the first generation digital microfilm scanner printers, e.g. the Canon MP100 and other digital microfilm products in the early to mid 1990’s, nothing much changed except the quality of print output improved along with the reliability of the unit. This was a small to medium leap forward. In essence, the first generation digital microfilm scanner and printers were looked on as no change in concept from earlier times With the introduction of the second generation and now the third generation digital microfilm reader/viewer scanners and printers the dynamics of the read and print philosophy is, or has been changing.

Why? Well, computing has become ubiquitous, cheaper and smarter.

The current generation of digital microfilm reader/viewer scanners and printers are being installed in Universities, Libraries, Archives and Genealogy centres and other environments connected to a dedicated PC. In a number of instances these PC’s do not have a local printer but send the printed image to a dedicated print server, where the user goes after a scanning session and collects his or her prints.

Why do this, you may ask?

Economics! Less cost per installation. With this format, only one charge card unit is required at a single print server and none required at each digital microfilm reader/viewer scanner and printer for up to ten or so units can be managed under one print server. OK, you need a PC for each unit but PC’s are becoming commodity items at very attractive prices. No dedicated video dump SCSI connected printer is required for each digital microfilm reader/viewer scanner and printer, so one standard

network printer does the job for the ten digital microfilm reader/viewer scanner and printer units. The cost of an intelligent network printer is, like the PC, a commodity item and unlike the dedicated video dump SCSI printer and in most instances two or more times less expensive.

Now comes the big crunch. With a PC connected to a digital microfilm reader/viewer scanner and printer a user can now capture their images to CD, DVD or the ever increasing capacity USB 2.0 Flash Drives with 1 Gig, 2 Gig and now with the latest and greatest 4 Gig of storage on a USB 2.0 Flash Drive.

Alternatively, a term for them is a USB necklace. Why would a user want to print out to an A4 Din (A size US) or A3 Din (B size US) paper prints when they can scan ten, a hundred and possibly a thousand images to a USB necklace or other storage device (if one had the time). Most of these software packages for scanning from microfilm also provide the ability to fax or email direct from the PC, which poses other questions for institutions to manage if they decide to connect the digital microfilm reader/viewer scanners and printers to the internet or even a local or wide area network environment.

Where or how is the library, university, archive or genealogy centre or other institution able to offset their outlay and receive a revenue stream from the PC connected digital microfilm reader/viewer scanner and printer installation? In the past, these institutions provided access to their microfilm holdings, irrespective of format, by supplying lower cost readers for that purpose at no charge and only charging for the prints produced from the reader printer.

Where to now if the institution installs digital microfilm reader/viewer scanners and printers with a PC controller (or in some cases, the digital microfilm reader/viewer scanner and printer cannot operate without a PC) and then create a revenue stream when none or only a few hard copy prints are being produced?

The concept will need to change, with either a charge for time the end user sits at the device or a charge for the file size of image data downloaded to the client’s storage device of choice, emailed, or faxed.

I am reliably advised that this option is in place at a site somewhere in Australia for use with their digital photocopiers (document and book scanner heads only, no printer engine). The end user photocopies the item but no paper print is produced. The photocopied image file is sent directly to a print server, where on completion of the task the end user swipes his or her charge cards and then either emails or prints out the file to paper. The charge card system either charges for the prints produced or charges for the image file size (per KB, MB or GB or some other preset criteria) created by the digital photocopying process on the digital scanner units. The system will not let that email pass from this print server until the end users swipe card has paid for the file sizes in question. If the system can do this for emails, it should be an easy matter to handle image files that are faxed, downloaded to a USB 2.0 Flash Drive, CD, DVD or some other storage media.

There is no doubt that we can do the same or similar thing for our digital microfilm reader/viewer scanners and printers The future is here and now. Let us take advantage of this technological progress and use it to improve efficiency and reduce our overheads to our advantage.

If you have any thoughts on the issues raised above, please contact me on the matter and we will discuss the issues.

For The Most

Challenging Conversion Projects...

T h e true benefits of the Eclipse production level rollfilm scanner are realized when large scale projects are time critical, cost sensitive and require superior image quality.

• Scan up to 300 pages per minute • Create grayscale and bitonal images at the same time without a reduction of output speed • Auto focus and straight line film loading optimizes scan setup time • Adaptive Speed Control optimizes scan speed Exclusively distributed by Kodak!

DOCUMENT I MA G I N G Kodak Document Imaging (44) 1442 844791 eamer-di-capture@kodak.com w w w .kodak.com /g o /d o cim a g in g Agreement covers Europe, The M id d le East, A frica and G reater Asia region.

Kodak is a trademark

nextscan

mercuiy Coming soon exclusively from Kodak

The N e x t G eneration in Rim Scanning Technology 2 0 8 -5 1 4 4 0 0 0 • www.nextscan.com nextScan, Eclipse, Mercury and Phoenix are trademarks o f nextScan. A ll other com pany and product names are trademarks o r registered trademarks o f their respective holders.

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CASE STUDY

Using new generation scanners to gain a competitive edge A mutually-beneficial relationship helps client, service firm and equipment vendor.

Lason, a global business outsourcing company headquartered in the US, specialises in driving cost reductions and improving business efficiencies for its clients by streamlining their paper-intensive functions. However, while striving to do that, one of the company’s flagship operations facilities in Anaheim, California, was facing a real challenge within the highly competitive microfilm/microfiche scanning market.

Wilson RS-200 Scanstations and ran them around the clock on three shifts. The new equipment offered almost twice the throughput capacity per hour of earlier equipment and enabled Lason to come in with lower, more competitive pricing. The result was that First American selected Lason as its imaging partner and the client immediately benefited from reduced microfilm retrieval and printing costs.

The problem was that the facility’s older generation of equipment, with slower conversion speeds, prevented Lason from offering competitive pricing to clients considering outsourcing their imaging functions. One client example was First American Title Company, a leading insurance and title company. First American employed microfilm readers and printers for researching title information. Its manual search process was costing upwards of US $35,000 monthly in equipment, labour and supplies. Lason was easily able to get the client to consider the benefits of outsourcing, but it needed also to be able to offer a solution that could convert large volumes of information at a price within the client’s budget.

Now Lason’s Anaheim facility is using the three Wicks iand Wilson RS-200 Scanstations and one FS 5100 microfiche scanner to serve a variety of clients in addition to First American. Lason scans thousands of documents for other title companies and county governments. Vital records, such as birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as deeds and title documents make up the bulk of more than 9 million pages per month scanned for the facility’s 5,000+ customer base.

Lason’s role as the exclusive US reseller-distributor of Wicks and Wilson microfilm/microfiche scanners enabled a solution.

Lason’s Anaheim facility acquired three new Wicks and

Besides providing increased volume and lower costs to clients, Lason is using its partnership with Wicks and Wilson to test new applications for the equipment and to provide Wicks and Wilson with valuable feedback on scanner speed, complex edge detection and clarity, all of which allows Wicks and Wilson to make further improvements in its line.

For more info: www.lason.com

CASE STUDY

Humphreys commission Seem-on-Demand document access solution

Document storage company Humphreys have commissioned Anacomp to develop a new Scan-On-Demand Electronic Document Management Solution. The solution will enable Humphreys’ customers to gain easier and faster access to their remotely stored documents.

Humphreys store a wide range of hard copy documents, microfiche and electronic data, for their customers in warehouses across the UK. The storage company wanted a document management solution that allowed their customers, nationwide, to have around the clock access to stored data. A majority of Humphreys customers store hard copy data at the warehouses, but still require access to some of the information held. “Our customers’ processes revolve around paper, but they need the benefits delivered by electronic document management. The dilemma was how to dovetail hard copy data with the easy accessibility gained with electronic data”, said Chris Bradly of Humphreys.

Humphreys’ customers can opt to put all their information online, or request the loading of documents as they need to view them using ‘Scan-on-Demand’. The system is hosted, managed and maintained by Anacomp. The ‘Scan-onDemand’ solution sets Humphreys’ customers initial data up as ‘index only’ - the user requests a scan, the scan is loaded into the system and that will ‘backfill’ the image.

processes, purchasing software for integration with existing systems, and paying for entire backlogs of information to be scanned would be very expensive, time consuming and disruptive for our customers”, said Chris Bradly.

Chris Haden, Sales Director at Anacomp said, “Anacomp’s Online Document ft Data Management solution enables Humphreys to respond to customer requests to view hard copy, stored documents and data (held off-site at Humphreys) quickly and more easily by making their information available online, via the Internet. We are very pleased to have this within our portfolio of products and services designed to enhance business processes”.

Humphreys is an established document storage, archiving and disposal company which caters for a range of clients from large PLC’s to SMEs. Humphreys provide a flexible service for the retrieval of active and inactive files and data, guaranteeing secure, confidential and fire protected storage.

Humphreys long- and short-term Archive Storage offers rapid retrieval of documents World-wide by courier, fax or hi-tech systems

Contact: Amanda Barrett, Anacomp Ltd Tel: +44 (0)118 9361600 Fax: +44 (0)118 9773890 Email: abarrett@anacomp.co.uk or contact: Chris Bradly, Humphreys The solution was designed as a cost-effective, quickly Tel: +44 (0)1923 213 090 Fax: +44 (0)1923 210 355 deliverable, non-disruptive alternative to back scanning Email: chrisbradly@blueyonder.co.uk companies entire document archives. “Restructuring the ‘

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TFT monitor for under £2200 Kendata Peripherals, a major UK reseller of autofeed professional scanners, has launched a special promotion on the powerful Fujitsu fi-4530C colour A3 scanner, offering the unit in a bundle with one of the latest LG 17in. TFT monitors for just £2197 plus VAT.

Superb image quality is ensured by the scanner’s optical resolution of 600dpi, and a variety of image processing functions enable the enhancement of even the poorest originals.

Featuring a built-in automatic document feeder, the 4530 can achieve an impressive scan speed of 35ppm at 200dpi in colour or black and white. Ultrasonic double-feed detection is included as standard to prevent two or more sheets being fed through together, and a duplex scanning facility enables double-sided documents to be scanned in a single pass.

Equipped with both USB 2.0 and SCSI-2 interfaces, the scanner is simple to install and Comes complete with Adobe Acrobat 5.0 for easy creation of PDF files.

The bundled LG 17in. TFT monitor facilitates the viewing of A3 documents and is therefore a perfect complement to the Fujitsu scanner.

The scanner-and-TFT bundles are typically dispatched from Kendata within three days of receipt of payment.

As well as being extremely competitively priced, the fi-4530C is one of the smallest scanners in its class, making it the ideal choice for decentralised document image capture.

The base unit has dimensions of only 193mm (H) x 399mm (W) x 225mm (D) and, when not in use, the output tray can be folded away to keep the footprint to a minimum.

a

Full technical specifications of the Fujitsu fi-4530C can be found on the Kendata website at www.kendata. com/scanners, together with details of machines from other leading manufacturers, including Kodak, Canon and Bell + Howell.

Contact: Tel: +44 (0)23 8086 9922 Web: www.kendata.com email: sales@kendata.com

Congratulations to the Microfilm Shop fo r selling

5 Wicks and Wilson scanners in as many weeks!

Ian McMinn, Sales and Marketing Director, Wicks and Wilson

W

W

Wicks and Wilson Limited Morse Road, Basingstoke Hampshire, RG22 6PQ UK Telephone: + 4 4 (0 )1 2 5 6 8 4 2 2 1 1 Fax: + 4 4 (0 )1 2 5 6 8 4 0 9 9 7 Email: sales@wwl.co.uk Web: www.wwl.co.uk

The product range, speed and technical

www.genusit.com

support ensure the Wicks and Wilson film scanners represent an unbeatable package Paul Negus. Managing Director, The Microfilm Shop, Genus Group

MICROFILM SHOP

WARWICKSHIRE

HAMMOND CLOSE

NUNEATON

T : (024) 7638 3998

F: (024) 7638 2319

CV11 6RY

E: info@microfilm.com

UNITED KINGDOM W : www.microfilm.com

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d(£M K Q 005| s

New siblings for Microform's scanner family Microform GmbH enhances its product range by adding two new high-end scanners Microform GmbH’s MF S 655 and MF S 615 are setting new standards in the field of production scanners - both in colour and black and white. The two scanners feature cutting-edge camera design and the very latest imaging technology. The scanning speed of up to 320 images per minute makes both scanners absolute front-runners with regard to production rate and productivity.

(anti-reflection-coated) optical mirrors. They guarantee outstanding scan results in colour, grayscale or bitonal.

The mechanical design of the MF S 655 and MF S 615 is based on the proven S 61 Document Scanner. The unique paper transport system without any belts enables the unit to convert all paper grades at maximum speed and with minimal risks of paper jams. ,

After Microform had very successfully launched its MF S 655 Premium Colour Scanner on the market back last autumn, the company quickly decided that it would also have to expand its range of bitonal scanners. Now Microform launches a new top-quality unit for converting mixed documents to black-and-white images - the MF S 615. The real highlight of the MF S 615 is that, thanks to its upgrade option, it can be turned easily, quickly and at the very position in which it is installed - into a colour scanner with the full functionality and performance of our MF S 655. This makes the MF S 615 a flexible and economical entrylevel model into the world of colour.

Through this additions to its range of high-end scanners, Microform GmbFl has once again proved that its own special combination of experience and innovation can produce perfect solutions for the most demanding of customers. This marketing company for micrographics systems was founded back in 1994 initially with the aim of insuring the production and sales of Agfa’s successful ADMIS CD 51 Rotary Camera for microfilms. Since then, Microform GmbH has continuously developed and enlarged its product range of microfilm cameras, hybrid scanner/microfilm cameras and high-end document scanners.

The heart of both scanners consists of two all-new camera units. These dustfree, encapsulated components contain Trilinear CCD cameras, combined with highquality lenses from Schneider Kreuznach and bloomed

Contact: Roland Reinberger, Microform GmbH, Gewandackerstr. 12, D-73614 Schorndorf Germany Tel.: +49 7181 886428 Fax: +49 7181 886429 e-mail: info@microform.de

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CROW LEY Micrographics

Solutions for all you digital and microfilm needs in one organization.

5115 Pegasus Court Suite E Frederick, M aryland 21704 (301) 631-6825

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www.CrowleyM icrographics.com www.M ekel.com sales@ crowleym icrographics.com sales@ mekel.com

A New SunRise.

A New Scanner.

SunRise Imaging, the company that

SunRise Imaging is committed to respond to your

pioneered high-perform ance production film

needs, for the best products, great service and maximum

scanning, introduces the SunRise 2500, faster than ever

versatility w ith a cost/perform ance that outshines all

before and adaptable as ever.

others in the industry.

The new SunRise 2500 is designed to bring power and

So order the SunRise 2500 for today's project, and be able

performance to your scanning needs. The new system has:

to use it again, and again, and again... because it w ill adapt

■The fastest computing engine - 3.0 GHz

to your projects tom orrow ! From 200 to 600 DPI, A to E size

■ The fastest hard disk drive

images, bitonal or grayscale, rollfilm, m icrofiche, or

15,000 RPM

■ A faster scanning speed than the S2000+

aperture cards., the S2500 does it all!

■The largest optical media recorder - dual layer DVD ■ A front loading USB flash drive

128 MB included

SunRise is serious about scanning, and we are proving it w ith the introduction of S2500 and the all-new ScanFlo software. The SunRise flexible modular 3 in 1 architecture, that has been the bell w eather of service bureaus, in their ability to adapt sw iftly to customer needs, is now more pow erful than before.

Contact SunRise today and order one now: Phone: 714.505.1144 Fax: 714.505.4082 Email: sales@sunriseimaging.com In Europe Phone: +44.208.255.2011 Fax: +44.208.255.2093 Email: sales@sunriseimagmg.co.uk

S u n R ise & SunRise is a registered trademark o f Sunrise Imaging, inc Ail right reserved

On-demand microfilm scanning

By Jim UJestoby - President, e-lm ageData, Inc. The role of microfilm in information storage has changed dramatically over the : last ten years. However, for many applications, microfilm remains the best way to safely and economically store information. Ondemand scanning can provide a cost-effective way to access that information stored on microfilm. e-ImageData has been in the marketplace with the on-demand ScanPro microfilm scanners for over three years. During this time the product line has expanded to include the ScanPro 200, which prints directly to a laser printer, the ScanPro 300, which scans directly to a computer, the ScanPro 400, which has all of the capabilities of both models (you can switch between the reader printer mode and the scan-to-PC mode at any time), and the ScanPro 35, which can scan engineering­ sized drawings stored on aperture cards and 35mm microfilm directly to a PC. All of the ScanPro models are designed for on-demand applications, are easy to install and use, and are extremely reliable.

where people can request any government document stored on microfilm and have it e-mailed to them. They report that on-demand scanning is an efficient, cost-effective way to provide public access to their microfilm information.

Another example of on-demand scanning use is MyCensuses Genealogy. They provide collections of genealogy records on CD and have completed over 500,000 scans using the ScanPro. Ease of use and flexibility are their top priorities in scanning technology and the ScanPro has allowed them to respond quickly to the volume of the requests they receive.

Yet another example of on-demand scanning of microfilm is at the Clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office in Langlade, Wisconsin. They have been storing information in an electronic database since 1995, but they continue to have a large database of information stored on microfilm. When a request is received for information stored in their microfilm database, a ScanPro is used to scan the film. The information is then forwarded electronically and a copy is entered into the electronic database for any future access.

The ScanPro 300 can e-mail, fax, network, print, annotate and save information stored on microfilm from a PC. These capabilities have made it possible for the ScanPro 300 to find its way into many interesting and useful microfilm applications.

In the last ten years, on-demand scanning has grown from zero to being a preferred method for distributing information that is stored on microfilm. On-demand scanning continues a growth opportunity that merges the archival storage benefits of microfilm with the cost benefits of electronic distribution.

For example, the Texas University uses two ScanPros with 12/24X lenses in their Government Documents Department.

This department is a Federal Regional Document Depository

Contact: Jim Westoby, e-Image Data, info@e-imagedata.com Tel: 800 251 2261 Fax: 262 673 3496 Incorporating TH E

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ON T H E B L O C K In April this year an exclusive Product License and Services agreement with Advanced Digital Research (ADR.) was signed

by Printrak, a Motorola company. This agreement gives ADR the exclusive right to manufacture, sell and deliver support on SunRise Imaging Products in the high-speed microfilm digitising market. ADR, having acquired the SunRise name and all rights have now set up an independent company known as SunRise Imaging, Inc., based in Tustin, California.

I travelled down to the Runnymede Hotel ft Spa near Windsor in Berkshire at the beginning of June to meet up with Ash (Ashok) Jain, who is V.P. for Business Development for SunRise Imaging, Inc. and Steven Godfrey who is a Director of SunRise Imaging (EMEA) Ltd, the company responsible for all sales, supply, technical support and warranty throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The brief chequered history of SunRise Imaging so far: 1990

SunRise pioneers the world’s first multi format high­ speed microfilm scanning production system.

Printrak International Inc acquires Sunrise Imaging.

Motorola acquires Printrak International Inc £t SunRise Imaging April 1st, Advanced Digital Research Inc. acquired Sunrise Imaging and establishes Sunrise Imaging Inc. as an independent company.

1997 2000 2004

Contacts within the organisation that may prove useful are Denis Childs (President), Robert Lasnik (V.P. Operations), Ash Jain (V.P. Business Development), Deryl Finney (Director of Marketing) and Steven Godfrey (Director, SunRise Imaging (EMEA) Ltd. Denis Childs.

President

For more information visit www,sunriseimaging.com

IIUggsgUISEissQDBEiai Microfilm Reader Printer and a Microfilm Scanner-to-PC

During our informal chat over a cup of coffee I learned that Advanced Digital Research is a specialist company in the Factory Automation industry, so although they are not well known in document management circles there is a certain amount of synergy. Plus they used to do some of the manufacturing for the SunRise products on behalf of Printrak.

They are also, possibly significantly, expert in video technology. The original founders of ADR almost 14 years ago are Denis Childs and Robert Lasnik.

The SunRise products reputation had, I believe, taken a downturn in recent months as it appeared that Printrak had, in their eyes at least, more important “fish to fry”. Under this new, dynamic management, however, future plans would suggest that SunRise will, once again, become a major force for their competitors to reckon with.

They are currently, according to Ash, looking for distributors, particularly in the USA where there are no existing resellers, initially, though there are opportunities to be grasped throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Ash or Steven would like to hear from anyone who thinks that they have something to bring to the table with them.

He told me that they would be announcing at least 2 new products in the next 12 months and, although he was very discreet at the time, one of those products (the SunRise 2500) has now been released and is reviewed elsewhere in this magazine.

Microfilm ScanPro 400 Shown With Print Keypad, Laser Printer, and Fiche Carrier

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Connect to your own computer and e-mail, fax, network, save to CD ROM right-from-your-PC. The ScanPro 400 is rugged, reliable, built for public use applications, and works with all film formats.

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Microfilm destroyed, in duplicate? Triplicate?

The strange case of the m issing military records....a political mystery.

Scepticism is rampant in the US records management community, especially among those familiar with US military record keeping and also with microfilm. It is a reaction to the Defence Department’s (DOD) claim that the microfilm records were “inadvertently destroyed" which would prove, or disprove, president George W. Bush’s full participation in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. The DOD says that in 1996-97 it was engaged with limited success “in a project to salvage deteriorating microfilm”. During the process DOD claims microfilm payroll records, containing certain National Guard payroll records, were destroyed.

The Pentagon was responding to a lawsuit filed by the Associated Press under the federal Freedom of Information Act. The purpose was to find documentation of Bush’s actual National Guard service while he was working on a political campaign in Alabama from May 1972 to May 1973, rather than being with his Texas-based unit. Political opponents have questioned when or if Bush actually showed up for temporary Alabama Guard duty before returning to his Texas unit. During the Vietnam conflict serving in the National Guard was accepted as a substitute for being eligible to be drafted into the Armed Forces.

Why the scepticism?

When records were microfilmed by the military, a minimum of two copies were made, a master and a duplicate, kept in separate locations. The original is typically held at a secure site, usually an environmentally-controlled vault. To many familiar with both military and records keeping procedures, the thought that the Defence Department went to both (or more) copies and inadvertently destroyed them all is unbelievable, almost impossible (Some might say improbable - Ed) ineptitude o f government employees and of the private contractor who runs the Air Force Records Center in Denver.

Equally difficult to believe is the DOD’s assertion that “searches for back-up paper copies of the missing records were unsuccessful”. After publication o f the DOD claims, knowledgeable members o f the public spoke up. For example, Kerry W. Buckley, in a letter to the editor of The New York Times, noted, “anyone who has served in the military, especially in the

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Vietnam era, knows its notorious reputation for redundant paperwork. Forms were routinely filled out in duplicate, triplicate, quadruplicate. Multiple copies were then routed to multiple records centres”.

In addition, if the Defence Department was truly looking hard for substantiation, they should know that the Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a record of all Social Security payments and payroll > withholding taxes. These are kept in a secure underground vault in Boyers, Pennsylvania. If Bush reported for duty, he would have paid social security tax (deducted from his National Guard wages) and the record should be on file, possibly also on microfilm since in that era SSA was one of the nation’s largest users o f microfilm. The record might not indicate the hours served or location, but it would show Bush was paid and therefore on duty. The amounts paid could be extrapolated to indicate duty time.

No mention of these records were made in the Pentagon’s response to queries about Bush’s military records.

Perhaps scepticism is too timid a word to describe what informed observers in the US records world are expressing about the case of the missing microfilm.

News Flash Since the story so far saw the light of day, the pentagon has now announced that “some” o f the Bush microfilm payroll records, which they previously said were inadvertently “destroyed”, have “turned up” in Denver (at the Air Force records centre where they were supposed to be). Now an unnamed clerk is being blamed for using the wrong records access numbers!!!

In terms o f politics, the discovered records don’t answer questions that were asked by the political opposition, but the “finding” demonstrates that the microfilm record keeping (for parts of 1969 and 1972 at least) has held up.

In terms of records management many - including yours truly - are convinced that all the records exist on at least one of the microfilm copies or certainly on tape at the Social Security Administration as I wrote in the story. As a practicality I think the Administration has offered up this token to bury the stoiy/incident, and they will probably be successful at it.

Barring the unlikely event o f further statements from the “powers that be” I think that will be an end of the •matter

Microform conquers Central Europe Marketing of entire Agfa MDS product range now in hands of one company January 1, 2004 saw Microform GmbH expand its activities in Europe. At that point, Microform took over Europe-wide marketing and sales of Agfa’s tried and trusted Micrographics and Document Systems (MDS) product range for digital and analogue document scanning, storage and management as its sole distributor.

existing and new big-ticket customers directly. On the other hand, the company also plans to intensify its cooperation with proven but also new sales and systems partners. To this end, Microform is expanding its own team with experienced marketing and sales people from the former Agfa MDS organisation.

Until then, marketing of Agfa’s MDS products had been divided up into two priority areas: while Microform looked after the international market outside Central Europe, customers located inside this region were taken care of by Agfa’s own direct sales organisations. This changed as of January 1, 2004 because Microform has now taken over sales in Central Europe, too. Microform is working together with existing and new, qualified sales partners.

In addition to sales, Microform is also in control of technical support activities and the installation of equipment. A highly capable and efficient after-sales service organisation with experienced technicians has been up and running since January 1, 2004. This means that this Agfa service partner now offers competent technical service with blanket coverage to both new and existing Agfa customers.

In this way, Microform has ensured that the microfilm products, hybrid systems, document scanners and capture solutions from the Agfa product range continue to be readily available in the European market. In addition to selling the MDS products, which continues to be marketed under the Agfa brand name, Microform is devoting even more time to developing and marketing its own highperformance scanners, which, likewise, carry the Agfa label.

The German market is being handled as a special case. On the one hand, Microform has taken over marketing and sales activities from Agfa Deutschland and supports

Microform GmbH was founded back in 1994 as a marketing company for micrographics systems with the aim at that time being to insure the continued production and sales of Agfa’s successful ADMIS CD 51 Rotary Camera for microfilms. Building on this key product, Microform has in the past years developed, manufactured and enjoyed great international marketing success with its own range of hybrid scanner/microfilm cameras and high-end document scanners.

Contact: Roland Reinberger, Microform GmbH,

Tel: +49 7181 255008 Fax: +49 7181 481668 e-mail: info@microform.de or visit www.microform.de

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On

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The PlumGroup announces new Group Sales Director.

With immediate effect, the PlumGroup has announced the promotion of Leigh Clark, to the position of Group Sales Director.

Formerly the Sales Director of the PlumData storage ft professional services business unit, Leigh's promotion merges the various IT sales units within the PlumGroup under one head. The PlumGroup comprises of PlumConsults (IT strategy and project/programme management); PlumData (data storage solutions ft professional services); and PlumExpress (branded technology providers).

PlumResourcing (the HR and recruitment group) remains under the head of Daniel Shorrock.

Leigh’s career in IT has spanned over a decade, having held previous positions at VERITAS and Redstor.

Kevin Towers, Managing Director of the PlumGroup, commented: “Leigh’s contribution to PlumData over the past 10 months has been extraordinaiy, with an impressive , increase in customer wins and vendor accreditations. His appointment to Sales Director of the Group is therefore fitting and provides us with the experience and cohesion that a single director appointment can bring.”

Contact: Sharon Munday, Marketing Manager, PlumData, Adam House, Ripon Way, Harrogate. N. Yorks HGl 2AU Tel: 0870 752 4400 Far: 0870 752 4401 Email: sharon.munday@plumdata.co.uk Anaeomp appoints new UK General Manager Anacomp Ltd, a global provider of information outsourcing, maintenance support and imaging and print solutions, has announced with immediate effect, the appointment of Chris Haden to the position of UK General Manager. Chris will be responsible for the total UK Anacomp Group covering MultiVendor Services, the COM/CD Data Centre Operations and the On-Line Web Services.

Chris brings a wealth of experience to Anacomp, particularly from his work at Martec, where as founder, he developed the organisation into an Electronic Document Solutions business.

Martec was acquired by Anacomp in 1999 with Chris joining Anacomp as part of the acquisition process.

Chris attended Manchester University where he gained a Joint Honours in Computing Science and Accounting and then began his career in the IT Industry as a software / systems engineer.

Until recently Chris has been principally responsible for the UK Sales Team and project management infrastructure that has helped grow Anacomp On-Line Services (AOS).

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On th e M ove “We welcome Chris’s appointment to this veiy important role in the International Operation, where the UK is the largest of Anacomp’s International subsidiaries”, said Frank Roche, Executive Vice President and General Manager, International.

“We are confident that Chris will make a significant contribution to the performance of the UK this fiscal year and beyond”.

Ken Kopald leaves VIT Ken Kopald, former executive vice president, Virtual Image ' Technology, has left that organisation, which recently underwent a restructuring. Also departing were Charles Gant, COO, as well as Mark McQueen and Scott McQueen, sons of VIT founder Martin McQueen. The latter remains with the firm as president and chief executive.

Steve Butterfield leaves nextScan There follows an open letter from Steve announcing his resignation from nextScan at the end o f June.

To: nextScan friends, partners and customers k From: Steve Butterfield - CEO nextScan Subject: nextScan organisation change I The purpose of this letter is to thank all j m that have helped me during my time at nextScan and to let you know that at the W p end of June I will leave nextScan.

When nextScan was founded in 2002 we set number of business goals that involved introduction of innovative products, developing reseller partnerships in which we would be proud and the financial stability of nextScan by our second year.

With four scanners released, partners such as Kodak EAMER ft GAR, IIRI-USA, and Ristech Canada and entering 2004 financially secure, I’m happy to report that we have more than met our goals.

Our success is in large part due to those in the industry who took a chance on a small start-up and worked with the talented nextScan staff to help us mature to become a stable company offering innovative microfilm scanners.

With these goals accomplished I have decided to leave nextScan to spend more time with my family. With Kurt Breish as President, Doug Bolen as VP of Sales ft Marketing, Erin Dempsey as Manager of Marcom, Lili Finnegan as Sr. Salesperson, Ty Plowman as Dir of Manufacturing, Dennis Sand as Sr, Design Engineer and the rest -of the fine staff at nextScan I’m sure the company will continue to grow and be successful.

I would like to thank all who have supported me during my time at nextScan and who have helped with nextScan’s success. If I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to contact me at my home email of steven @sbutterfield.com Steve Butterfield Former CEO nextScan

ROUND (V A B 0 U T Kodak Raises the Roof at ’The Storries’ Kodak Service ft Support Wins "Best Storage Service Company” at The Storage Awards Kodak Service £t Support, one of the most experienced services organisations in the industry, has been voted “Best Storage Service Company” at a glittering ceremony, recently, in London’s West End. It is the first time that Kodak has even entered the hotly contested industry awards, voted by readers of Storage Magazine, so the win is even more notable for the Kodak team.

“This is a wonderful validation of our belief that Kodak Service Et Support offers its customers the best service solution in the industry,” commented Alan Russell, Kodak’s National Storage Manager. “And it is all the more rewarding, given the award is the result of a customer vote, and is a superb testament to our highly skilled and dedicated team of engineers.”

Kodak is equipped to handle service and support need for both its own and other equipment manufacturers’ products, including storage systems, micrographic equipment, document scanners and commercial print. It enjoys a number of major service agreements with storage vendors such as Plasmon, Qualstar and Spectra Logic and, uniquely, offers support not only for storage hardware, but the network environment they are contained within.

Over 250 guests from vendors, distributors and service providers attended the Storage Magazine’s gala dinner, held at the Russell Hotel.

Microform GmBH celebrates 10th anniversary Microform GmBH, which developed and manufactures the Admis line of equipment sold by Agfa under the latter’s nameplate, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The event was marked by a gathering of the company’s customers, partners and friends at a newly-opened competence Centre in Waiblingen, Germany in June.

Verity announce agreement to acquire Cardiff Software San Diego based Verity Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software that enables organisations to maximise the return on their intellectual capital investments, and Cardiff Software Inc. of Vista, CA, a leading privately-held supplier of technology that enables the capture and automation of dynamic business information, today announced a definitive agreement for Verity to acquire Cardiff in a transaction with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50 million in cash, adjusted for Cardiff s net cash balance as of December 31, 2003.

Cardiff products include TELEform, LiquidCapture and LiquidOffice, a comprehensive suite that automates document capture, e-Forms and workflow-driven business processes.

Verity anticipates closing the transaction in 30 to 60 days, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The transaction is expected to be accreted in the first full quarter of combined operations to Verity’s net income on a cash EPS basis (which excludes purchase accounting adjustments).

“With this acquisition, Verity has the opportunity to leverage its leadership in the search, classification and recommendation categories of intellectual capital management and extend it to content capture, e-forms and business process automation,” said Anthony J. Bettencourt, Verity’s president and chief executive officer. “The addition of Cardiffs products, people and partners brings Verity the ability to enable enterprises to optimise their dynamic information assets, capturing the value of interaction between documents and the business processes they represent. We view the ability to market Verity products into Cardiffs installed base and Cardiffs products into Verity’s, to be a tremendous opportunity to cross-sell. The breadth of the combined product offering expands our footprint in the enterprise.”

“The success of our products has been driven by the productivity gains and cost savings they deliver to our customers and partners around the globe,” said Dennis Clerke, Cardiffs president and chief executive officer. “We’re excited about joining the Verity team as this creates a unique and natural combination of intellectual capital management solutions with content capture, e-forms and business process automation.”

Further information can be found at: http://www.verity.com/company/press/acquisition/ Microfilm Shop has links “Down Under” The Microfilm Shop and Digital Microfilm Equipment (DME) of Australia are pleased to announce their new business relationship where DME will act as a broker for the promotion of the products and services offered by the Microfilm Shop across Australasia.

For further information, please access either o f their websites located at the Microfilm Shop @ www.microfilm.com or Digital Microfilm Equipment (DME) @ www.microfilm.net.au Anacomp and Infortend sign agreement Anacomp and Infortend Europe Ltd. announced an agreement under which Anacomp will provide support for Infortend’s line of RAID controllers and subsystems. Anacomp will deliver support services to Infortend customers in Europe as an authorised and accredited support partner.

Anacomp also signed an agreement to expand its relationship with Exabyte in providing support services for the latter’s line of tape-based storage products. The two companies have worked closely in Europe for several years and are now extending their relationship into the worldwide market.

Disaster Recovery Awards at the Albert Hall Document SOS the disaster recovery and restoration specialists have battled against the giants within the insurance industry to win a place as “Service Provider of the Year Finalist” The British Insurance awards ceremony held by Post Magazine at the Royal Albert Hall.

“The Service Provider of the Year” category is judged on how a company responds innovatively to the demands of the market. Document SOS pioneered the paper restoration industry to reinstate business documents, historical records, works of art and books damaged by flood, fire and explosion to ensure swift business resumption For more information visit www.documentSOS.com

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i i i g j j M T r - f i i l S ___ |___ Company News.

Lason to merge with Charterhouse Group. Lason, the financially troubled national provider of information management and business process outsourcing services, said its board of directors approved a merger agreement with an unnamed affiliate of Charterhouse Group. Under the agreement Charterhouse will acquire Lason in a transaction valued at approximately US $30 million.

Charterhouse is a New York-based private equity firm that has been acquiring and managing, in partnership with existing management teams, organisations in business services and healthcare services. Its aim is to build “leading middle-market companies”.

Under the proposed agreement, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2004, Charterhouse would acquire 100% of Lason’s common stock for $0,125 per share and replace Lason’s current senior debt with substantially less indebtedness. Lason’s resulting new capital structure would include significantly more equity. Existing management is expected to continue operating Lason after the transaction closes and will have an ownership interest in the Charterhouse affiliate. A majority of Lason’s current common stock shareholders must approve the merger.

Ronald Risher, Lason CEO and president, said, “The recapitalisation will give Lason the financial stability required to strengthen our market position and execute our long-term business plan”.

Lason currently has 55 locations and facilities management sites in 22 states, India, China (a service relationship), Mexico and Canada. It was founded in 1985, initially as a provider of micrographics services, and then moved into digital services. Early growth came through a rash of bureau acquisitions. In recent years Lason specialised in offering a variety of outsourced services in specific industries that are data and document intensive.

Brand new formatted Web Site from The Microfilm Shop

www.microfilm.com including a T16W comprehensive equipment section ACS to open new mega service centre. ACS, the US-based international business and information technology (IT) services provider, announced plans to open a new major information technology support services centre in Kansas City, Missouri. The new centre will be dedicated to

24

7/.S. Roundup providing a variety of outsourced IT and other information support services to major ACS clients in the US. Its initial and key client is Hallmark cards. The greeting card giant recently signed a seven-year US $230 million agreement for ACS services.

Hallmark is based in Kansas City but ACS said it plans to grow the new location there into a support services hub, both analogue and digital, for other major clients as well.

As part of the new arrangement, 145 Hallmark IT employees will be asked to become ACS employees. With its products published in more than 30 languages and distributed in more than 100 countries, Hallmark is a major consumer of IT services.

Financial footnotes ImageMax completed a transaction with its debt holders to provide additional funding and extend the company’s revolving credit facility. The company gets US $1 million in additional financing and had its existing subordinated debt maturity extended from April 30, 2004 to April 30, 2005 with an automatic one year extension thereafter.

J.B. Doherty, the new CEO, said “This transaction completes the refinancing the company needed to provide financial stability for the foreseeable future.” ImageMax provides document management services and products across the US and operates 15 production facilities.

Iron M ountain reported another solid quarter (March 31) with total revenues of US $434 million, up 23%; operating income of US $86 million, up 19%; and net income of US $23 million. As usual, storage revenues, prized because they largely represent repetitive revenues and earnings, were up again, approximately 23%. Iron Mountain also won an award for “Best Disclosure Policy for a small- to mid-cap company” at the IR (Investor Relations) Magazine US Awards 2004 ceremony. The honour is determined by 2,000 portfolio managers and analysts who cover the US market.

At a meeting in late May, Iron M ountain’s board of directors authorised a three-for-two stock spilt. It was done in the form of a dividend on the company’s common stock and was issued on June 30 to all shareholders on record as of June 15.

In addition, in June Iron Mountain announced a proposed amended and restated refinancing of its US $200 million loan facility. The new loan will replace an older loan of the same amount and have the same terms except for an expected lower interest rate. Exact terms and timing will depend on market conditions.

Lason had revenues of US $35.2 million and a net loss of US $0.9 million for the first quarter (March 31). In the comparable quarter a year ago the company recorded revenues of US $44 million and a net loss of US $0.5 million. Ronald Risher, president and CEO, was optimistic

saying “The company’s balance sheet remains healthy with net senior debt decreasing by US $1.2 million in the first quarter....While we experienced a decline in revenue for IQ 2004 versus 2003, it was expected as we execute our long-term strategy to re-focus the company and its sales efforts on more complex BPO (business process outsourcing) applications and integrated solutions, that require a longer sales cycle”.

Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), the giant US-based provider of outsourced business services, announced its fiscal year 3Q (March 31) results. Revenues were US $1.01 billion, a 3°/o increase compared to the same quarter in the prior year. For the nine months revenues were US $3.04 billion, a 19% increase. Both figures exclude one-time gains on divestiture of certain businesses. Earnings per share rose 24%, excluding revenues associated with the divestitures. Jeff Rich, ACS CEO, lauded the solid results, citing strong cash flow, internal growth, virtual completion of a share repurchase programme as well as several acquisitions. Ele expected the FY 2004 fourth quarter to be on target with revenues of $US 1.025-$ 1.05 billion and looked ahead to revenues of US $4.475-$4.575 billion in FY 2005.

Shortly after disclosing 3Q results, ACS announced a new share repurchase programme of up to US $750 million. This

would represent about 13% of the company’s Class A common shares outstanding. It is an open-ended programme.

Anacomp reported a net loss of US $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, its FY 2Q. Revenues were US $48.9 million for the period, an increase over US $47.4 million for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2003, but a decline from the prior year’s 2Q. In the quarter Anacomp began its previously announced restructuring plan to consolidate its data centres and personnel into Mega­ centres in large metropolitan areas. This resulted in a restructuring charge of US $2.3 million, reflecting headcount reductions and lease obligations on six locations that were closed in the quarter. Anacomp estimates FY 2004 total restructuring charges of nearly US$ 9 million.

In individual businesses, Anacomp said docHarbor Web Presentment service revenues increased 30%, while CD/Digital revenues declined 16%. COM revenues, comprised of services, equipment and supplies, are still the largest single component of company revenues and they declined 16% from the prior year quarter, although they rose slightly over the FY first quarter due to strong yearend processing. The long-term trend in COM, however, is downward.

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For all o f us w h o fe e l only th e d e e p e s t love and a ffe c tio n fo r th e w a y c o m p u te rs have e n h a n ced our lives, read on.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, “If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.”

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part): 1.

For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2.

Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3.

Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4.

Occasionally, executing a manoeuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5.

Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6.

The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single “This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation” warning light.

7.

The airbag system would ask “Are you sure?” before deploying.

8.

Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9.

Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10.

You’d have to press the “Start” button to turn the engine off.

Please share this with your friends who love - but sometimes hate - their computer!

(I’m not sure who to credit for this entertaining piece o f fun, but it was forwarded to me by Mitch Badler - Ed.)

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InteliCoat move Microfilm production InteliCoat Technologies is moving its microfilm production to the main coating facility at Wrexham, North Wales, from its former site at Runcorn. The microfilm products are being developed, manufactured and distributed alongside the company’s renowned precision-coated films and specialty substrates for the imaging, electronics, medical, and optical markets. The move of production underlines InteliCoat’s commitment to the market and technology associated with this form of data storage.

maximise results

...minimise risks Trust us to help you. With seventy years' experience in the contract manufacturing of films, foils, and papers for high performance

With the acquisition of SKC film division in 2002, InteliCoat became the only US supplier to the duplicate fdm market and now holds the majority of the global market share. The company distributes its diazo films and vesicular products via private label, dealers and direct sales, with over 50% of the business going through the private label channel.

Increasing concern about the costs and suitability of digital storage for storing records of permanent value have helped stabilise the data storage microfilm market. Although both optical discs and magnetic media are often considered ’’archival”, magnetic storage is certainly not suitable for long­ term storage and the use of optical media is questionable depending on the type of disc under discussion. Data indicates that optical discs may have useful lives ranging from 10 - 100 years. Silver or duplicate film has proven its stability for long term (100 years) and/or archival storage (> 500 years).

applications, w e are uniquely qualified to provide a competitive and reliable coating, laminating, and finishing service.

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Hardware obsolescence is another critical issue in formulating any data storage policy. Images on microfilm can always be retrieved, as they are readable by eye and do not require a digital to analogue conversion process.

InteliCoat is a member of the Film Based Imaging Association (FblA), which is supported by The Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) .The FblA actively promotes the use of film as storage media via lobbying efforts and information packages.

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Purchasing Fraud —is it vorth a free lunch?

By Paul Sherman of Broaden, an independent cost reduction strategy consultancy Are your purchasing policies open to fraud?

Be that internally, externally or online. Are your suppliers robbing you blind? More to the point are they bribing your staff?

Are you in control of your processes? What steps can you take to reduce fraud, control purchasing and make it less likely that you are haemorrhaging through inadequate procurement control?

Fraud covers a broad range of criminal activities, the common characteristic being the use of deception for financial or other gain. Because a large amount of fraud goes unreported it is difficult to estimate the overall scale of the problem.

Businesses are often reluctant to report fraudulent losses due to concerns about reputation and the impact on customer confidence and share value, banks being a prime example.

The total effect of fraud to UK businesses is difficult to assess, as many cases go un-reported, however, the Fraud Advisory Panel has suggested that fraud costs the UK from £5 billion to £12 billion each year. Some hands-on serious and organised criminals become involved in white-collar frauds, for example frauds involving the misuse of trusts or the manipulation of company accounts or of shares.

You don’t, however, need to be a bank or financial institution to suffer at the hands of a fraudster. Regardless of the size of your business, fraudulent practices may be affecting you right

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In the retail sector, many large blue chip groups will suffer from what the trade calls ‘shrinkage’. Losses through theft, stock room loss, breakage or goods passing ‘sell by’ dates, the value of which may never appear on the public balance sheet, but can amount to many tens of Emillions. Most retailers accept that 6°/o shrinkage is an acceptable figure, however for a retail chain with a turnover of £100 million, this will equate to an annual loss of around £6 million. Should this be acceptable practice in your business?

Businesses are built on trust, or so one should think.

Employees are trusted to act in an appropriate manner, but there is no greater incentive to act inappropriately when one has control of the company purse strings. Gaining a competitive edge when purchasing can lead to inducements.

Those of us involved in buying and selling for a living know just how competitive the clinching of an order for a supplier can be. Similarly we realise how hard it is to make profit under these circumstances. So why should a seller give away to the buyer some of the hard won profit in the form of entertaining, free travel, buyer hospitality or gifts? Of course a buyer will always claim that the acceptance of inducements will not influence the choice of supplier decision in the slightest. Inducements cost the supplier in the form of reduced profit. The reason they are offered is to try to beat the competition by unfairly distorting, influencing or eroding the impartiality of the buying decision making process.

Organisations employing staff in a purchasing capacity can protect themselves by introducing an Ethical Code. A typical ethical code may state:

For catalog, prices or additional information FO R D E P O S IT ONLY B R A N C H #055

now. It needn’t be high tech Internet fraud; it could be a simple case of purchasing fraud. This can affect every business, however it is not just a case of locking the stationery cupboard, or deterring staff walking out the building each night with twenty toilet rolls stuffed under their coat. Whilst petty pilfering can constitute a significant part of a company’s turnover other practices are against the law and are punishable.

1. Staff shall never use their authority for personal gain and shall seek to uphold the standing and reputation of the Company.

2. Staff will maintain un-impeachable integrity standard in all their business relationships both inside and outside the Company.

3. Staff will optimise the use of resources for which they are responsible to provide the maximum benefit to the Company.

Whilst assessing the guideline one should take in our own businesses, comfort can be derived from other organisations or sectors. Within the banking sector, for example, strict guidelines have been set in place to ensure staff with the power to purchase are moderated and fraud is kept to its absolute minimum.

9451

Email: Idnina@gbproductsintl.com

The EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) warns that any member of staff involved in purchasing activities or dealing with suppliers are expected to be fully aware of the rules of the Bank. After all, in this instance many Ebillions of client money is at stake. Any

attempt by a supplier to gain an unethical advantage, such as the offer of a bribe or inducement in any form should be reported under the appropriate procedure. Staff are referred to the Code of Conduct and the Procedures for Reporting Fraud and Suspected Fraud. Three simple rules that apply in this sector state: ★ No staff member is permitted to derive, directly or indirectly, any personal advantage from Bank purchases.

The highest ethical standards must be observed at all times and staff should not put themselves in situations whereby it could be construed that their impartiality has been or could be compromised. ★ Staff involved in purchasing decisions who have outside interests which are in actual or apparent conflict with the interests of the Bank, or who have close family members with such interests, must withdraw from participation in purchasing decisions so affected and must declare their interests to their manager and, as appropriate, under the Code of Conduct. ★ Gifts and entertainment such as sporting events, or cultural events, or meals involving spouses, should ordinarily be declined in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct.

In the eyes of the Bank, there is clearly no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ and even gifts at Christmas would be seen as a bribe and not a ‘thank you’ for good business practice, or service provided throughout the year. All employees of the Inland Revenue are bound by the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, which states: ‘At all times staff involved in purchasing should take care that they do not give the impression to any member of the public, or to any organisation with which they deal, or to their colleagues that they have been or may have been influenced by a gift or consideration to show favour or disfavour to any person or organisation’.

Can we learn from these examples? In any business it is the responsibility of the Directors to ensure measures are put in place to minimise the fraudulent abuse of company funds, intellectual property or products. Regardless of size, all business can affect safe and potentially fraud free purchasing by following the following controls: ★ Appoint a centralised purchasing officer, or department, through whom all transactions are made. ★ Instruct all suppliers that purchases can only be made with an appropriate authorised ‘Purchase Order’, with a sample of the authorising officers signature. ★ Set a ceiling limit for all purchase orders. Above this limit a second signature is required, normally that of a Director. ★ Supplier invoices will only be paid if they show a relevant purchase order number of authorisation. ★ In large organisations instruct departments to send purchase requests to Central Purchasing on a weekly of fortnightly basis, cutting down on administration. ★ If company credit cards as issued, set a base limit for transactions.

The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is particularly applicable to procurement activities. Be aware of your reputation, as fraud and corruption can raise the costs and risks of doing business.

For further information call 0870 760 7900 or email paul.sherman@broaden.biz, alternatively, visit the website www.broaden.biz

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RERDERSLETTERS

RERDERSLETTERS

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

In 1999 I wrote an article titled “Digital Amnesia”. In it, I mentioned that articles warning of digital obsolescence are coming out of the woodwork these days. Here we are in 2004 and nothing has changed. The endless discussions and articles about the problems caused by technology obsolescence are still with us.

Unfortunately they have become a repetitive rehash of facts that should be obvious to everyone in the IT business by now.

Many of your readers will be aware of the considerable efforts that Gerald Baker of G. G. Baker H Associates has made in recent months to criticise and discredit the publishing activities of Cimtech Ltd. Although this is something that we have come to expect from Gerald Baker over the years, and have usually chosen to disregard, on this occasion we feel that his comments are so misleading and ungracious that a response from Cimtech is appropriate.

Last year I had discussions with Ray Kurzweil. Decades ago Ray developed a talking book machine for blind people. The device converts books, using OCR technology, to synthesised speech.

For many years Ray had been accumulating ideas for a system he called DAISI (Document and Image Storage Invention). His paper is an interesting read and available at: www.kurzweilai.netarticles/art022 7.html?printable= 1 He recently concluded that using digital technology as a preservation system is not a viable strategy. He also mentioned he is working on a new DAISI approach using a technology independent, compact, human readable storage media. He has two to chose from: Microfilm and the Norsam Rosetta Discs. I believe he will choose microfilm because the technology dependence is substantially less than Norsam Discs.

Ray goes on to say: “Information lasts only so long as someone cares about it. The conclusion that I have come to with regard to my DAISI project, after several decades of consideration, is that there is not a set of hardware and software standards existing today, nor any likely to come along, that will provide me any reasonable level of confidence that the stored information will still be accessible (without unreasonable levels of effort) decades from now”.

Over the years I have tried to break down “preservation” into it’s basic components. Early on it became apparent that media is not the problem. Long life optical discs can be made, in fact a French company made CDs out of etched glass. 500 LE microfilm can store in human or machine readable form. Very long life materials, such as nickel, can be etched with various forms of machine readable code, with human readable character sets, or both.

The problem is technology dependence.

AS TECHNOLOGY DEPENDENCY INCREASES - ASSURED ACCESS OVER TIME DECREASES. The obvious question should be: How can we achieve or at least approach the best of both worlds? Access assurance provided by directly readable long life paper and the ease and speed of information computing and sharing provided by digital technology and the Internet?

For electronic records hybrid (the marriage of the machine and human readable worlds) is only the solution.

Records can be archived on COM, in a structured format, using OCR friendly character sets. A state-of-the-art OCR reading system would provide high speed conversion of the OCR friendly documents on microfilm back to a digital format. As technology changes over the decades and centuries the same microfilm can be converted to any, yet to be invented, digital replacement technology.

The CIM (computer input microfilm) system described here is not new, it has been discussed for years but never developed. Now it’s time has come. It’s certainly refreshing to hear a man of Ray Kurzweil’s stature, has recognised the potential of a CIM preservation system.

Russ Burkel - rburkel@juno.com THE RIGHT TO REPLY

Gerald Baker’s recent criticisms relate to the 2004 edition of ( Cimtech’s publication Electronic Document, Records and Content Management and, more particularly, to the online version of the directory section of the publication. Having purchased a copy of the publication and made use of the online directory, Gerald Baker was moved to express his criticisms in two ways: (i) by sending a letter to several hundred (we believe) of the document management suppliers listed in his own directory and (ii) by writing to the editor of this publication (see his letter published on page 30 of the May/June 2004 edition).

It is immediately evident from both letters that Gerald Baker’s primary intention was to promote his own product. We find it particularly unfortunate that he chose to use unprovoked and unwarranted criticism of Cimtech’s publication as the vehicle for this promotion. We reject Gerald Baker’s criticisms entirely and invite any of your readers to contact us for our detailed response to them.

Both of Gerald Baker’s letters make a direct comparison between the Cimtech and the G.G. Baker online directories, even down to counting the respective number of keystrokes and mouse clicks needed to access and navigate the sites. We would like to point out that the Cimtech online directory has so far been promoted only as an added (free) benefit for those who purchase a copy of the printed publication and not as a standalone product. Gerald Baker was well aware of this fact when he purchased a copy of the Cimtech publication but, nevertheless, chose to take it out of context in an attempt to achieve a more favourable comparison.

We would also like to pick up on Gerald Baker’s oft-repeated claim that Cimtech’s publication Electronic Document, Records and Content Management is essentially a copy of the G.G. Baker DIP Yearbook and its successor titles. The forerunner of the Cimtech publication was published in 1989 under the title Optical Disk Storage and Document Image Processing and was the result of an independent survey of products and systems on the UK market. It constituted a buyers’ guide in much the same way as the current directory. This was approximately three years before Gerald Baker published his first DIP Yearbook in 1992.

We leave it to your readers to decide the relative merits of the G.G. Baker website, Cimtech’s directory and other document management and content management websites and directories.

We, unlike Gerald Baker, do not seek to publicise our publications by criticising others.

In conclusion, we would point out that Cimtech has seven full­ time staff researching the market, lecturing on document, records and content management and consulting with clients on this subject. It is this resource that adds authority to Cimtech’s publications. We would also confirm that 2004 was a pilot exercise, providing a web version of the directory alongside the printed version. The response from suppliers and users has been very favourable and so next year we will launch a freely available version of the directory on the Cimtech website (www.cimtech.co.uk). We encourage your readers to ensure they contact us for a free entry in the directory, and to access the website to see what it offers.

Tony Hendley, Managing Director, Cimtech Limited

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