The Green Sheet 052

Storage Expo: 2008 Show Special preview

Test Report: Canon MS800 microfilm scanne

Scanning Part 3: Continuing our major series of articles

'Focus On': First of our regular special interest pages

SUPPLEMENT: Wicks & Wilson: the company and its products

www.greensheetm edia.com

ISSN

1 4 7 6 - 3 8 4 2

Design: Form* (www.foim.uk.coml

The integrated data storage and information management solution Storage Expo is the ONLY opportunity to compare the most comprehensive range of solutions, to find out about the tools of tomorrow whilst buying the tools of today, and to find answers to your technical questions from the range of experts on the show floor.

■ Attend the FREE analyst led Keynote program m e a nd hear directly from international experts on how to efficiently a nd cost effectively m an ag e increasing volumes of d a ta a nd information.

■ M eet the full scope o f industry players on the show floor a nd discover the latest products, services a nd solutions to m eet your growing d a ta storage a n d inform ation m an ag em en t needs.

■ The new form at seminar program m e reflects the needs of today's d a ta storage a nd information m an ag em en t professionals. Find out how to address the issues of Efficiency, Provisioning a n d Scalability with Information M anagem ent, Availability a n d Assurance in the 60 FREE seminar sessions.

15-16 October 2008 London, Olympia

Network with the best in the business a nd your peers a t Storage Expo,

the UK’s definitive event for data storage, information and content management.

Register FREE to attend at www.storage-expo.com Organised by

Reed Exhibitions'

2008 Platinum Sponsors 0 - Double-Take

2008 Gold Sponsors E M C 2

B 3 J '

r iN e tA p p

p illa r

’cisco'

Cverland iroitsr

. . ..

com m ent

from the editors desk Issue 51 Thank you once again for your comments about Issue 51, particularly those who like the idea of the enlarged GSM Guides. Sorry we had to miss out the Microfilm Writer guide, but the clock was against us, and we did not get all of the updates we wanted through prior to pub­ lication. This issue I am pleased to report that thanks to great work from Gerald Baker, most of the data has been gathered and inserted.

This does leave us with the dilemma as to what we do with discontinued equipment.

Personally I think it should be removed from the guide to save space and allow current kit to stand out. There are always back copies available if you are purchasing kit from the second user market and want to use a guide for reference. As an alternative, we will try to keep older kit specifications alive on the web site.

Issue 51 also saw Green Sheet MEDIA distrib­ ute the last of the complementary copies of the magazine which have proved so popular over the years. That is to say 'the last' in any quantity. As mentioned in this column in Issue 51, costs have risen and as we now have a pool of over 15,000 recipients, we have to ensure that those that subscribe and our advertisers and VIP's get each and every is­ sue. Any copie left over are then distributed to what we might call ’casual recipients’. As it stands at present, if you don’t subscribe you will now only see a Green Sheet every 10th issue, which is a gap of at least 18 and possibly 20 months. So why not subscribe now to be sure you don’t miss out.

Green Sheet Name We are proceeding apace with changes to the name. The changes on the web site at www.greensheetmedia.com are well under way with the new coprorate look already in place. The magazine changes will start in January (2009) when we publish Issue 53. The cover graphics will reflect the name change, with other minor changes within also taking place in that issue.

Although January's issue will mark the launch of the first IDMi magazine, the magazine title will carry the sub-heading 'Incorporating Green Sheet. Established 1969’. Our sub-heading of Keeping You Informed will continue, as it rightly points out why we do what we do.

Print v Online I have had discussions with consultants in several areas of the print and online publishing industries on how we might better manage our print and online presence in a manner which benefits our readers and online visitors. There are a number of initiatives which will be put in place to ensure both mediums work together.

Currently I feel they are too far apart, and that there needs to be much more commonality between them. This will start immediately with closer links between print and online content.

Tribute As a tribute to the long history of the Green Sheet, and the two other titles it was born out of, and to underpin the fact that only the name is changing and not the content or overall editorial direction, the magazine issue numbers will continue in sequence.

Test Report: Canon MS 800 Microfilm Scanner

16

Storage Expo 2008: Special Report, News & Articles

Ideally we would have liked to have numbered the issues from the very first Micrographics Newsletter in 1969, but perhaps that would have been stretching things a little.

(A potted history of the publication, its roots, timeline and the individuals involved, will ap­ pear in the January issue.)

It's Your Magazine All of us at GSM hope we are bringing you a better news and information experience.

O A Software Test Report:

Please let us know what you think:

OH 1MindJet's MindManager Put Through Its Paces

ffiedhaok@areensheetmedia.com

Thank you all.

John Baker, Managing Editor iohnbaker@areensheetmedia.com ■

ADVERTISERS A-Z

GREEN SHEET SPECIFIC

OTHER FEATURES

31 A+P international 07 Fujitsu 3 1,3 3,37 Genus Group 33 IBML 09 Kodak 15 LINPAC Storage Sys. 17 MISL 37 Microvue 48 nextscan 42-43 OITUK 02 Storage Expo 45 Upton Services 23-26,47 Wicks & Wilson

19 CMS Reports (GS Ad) 44 Diary Dates 2008

22 Book Review

www.greensheetmedia.com

12

GSM Guides: 27-28 - Documents to A3 29 - Microfilm Scanners 30 - Microfilm Writers 31 - Test Reports

38

Case Study: nextscan & Australian Newspaper Project

In Focus: 35 - Healthcare Test Reports: 34 - MindManager 36 - Fujitsu Handy Drive

04-11 IM World 45 It's Show Time 46 PENultimate

Cover Image:

e ku & B A

Olympia, London.

Art Deco building detail during Storage Expo 07 © Elem ent903

Velcom<

C om m ent.... from the editor's desk

GSM:052.03

I

l MAGAZINE & CONTACT INFORMATION Green Sheet Magazine is registered with the UK Post Office as a newspaper and is published by Green Sheet MEDIA, South Lodge, Stradbroke Road, Fressingfield, Suffolk, IP21 5PP, UK ISSN 1476-3842 COPYRIGHT: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publishers: Green Sheet MEDIA, or the express permission of the owners of other copyright material reproduced within this publication.

All material is © Green Sheet MEDIA 2008 (except where otherwise indicated) SUBSCRIPTIONS Phone Hotline: 0044 247 638 2328 Pay Online: subs.greensheetmedia.com Renewal Queries: 0044 247 638 2328 Email: subscriptions@greensheetmedia.com ADVERTISING • Magazine • Online • Trade Directory • Cover Disk • Insert • Special Events Phone: 0044 247 625 4957 Email: advertisina@areensheetmedia.com EDITORIAL & COPY SUBMISSIONS • Press Releases • Case Studies • Opinion Pieces • White Papers • Hardware/Software - Test Reports and Reviews • Book Reviews Phone: 0044 247 625 4957 Email: editorial@areensheetmedia.com TRADE DIRECTORY (FREE ENTRY) Email: directorv@greensheetmedia.com ACCOUNTS (PAYABLE & RECEIVABLE) Phone: 0044 247 638 2328 Email: accounts@areensheetmedia.com MANAGEMENT Production/Editorial Manager - John Baker Email: iohnbaker@areensheetmedia.com ONLINE ....

Green Sheet main web site: www.areensheetmedia.com Green Sheet Trade Directory: www.areensheetmedia.com/directorv.htm Printed in the UK, Germany and the USA

ADVERTISING RATES Call or email for specials Ad Size Full Page Half Page Third Page Quarter Page Eighth Page Large Banner SpotAd At

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IM World:

News from around Filing Is NOT Boring Document management specialist, Cave Tab Ltd, has launched a new catalogue showcasing its comprehensive range of filing systems and supplies to help organisations save time, space and money and minimise their exposure to risk.

With major customers including local authorities, housing associations and central Government departments, as well as bluechip companies in the pharmaceutical, insurance, finance, banking, manufacturing and retail sectors, Cave Tab provides a complete range of physical and digital records management solutions to allow businesses of all sizes to solve critical business issues.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES 2009 Sub Type Magazine Only

£ 70

$* 140

€* 98

Elec. + Magazine NO LONGER AVAIL.1 Electronic Only2 NO LONGER AVAIL.1 1 W e have greatly simplified subscription options.

You STILL have a choice of Electronic Only2, M agazine Only or BO TH M agazine and Electron­ ic2. Please state at the time of ordering which op­ tion you require. This step has been taken be­ cause of UK VAT requirements as m agazine sub­ scriptions are zero rated.

2 PDF/O nline is either a downloadable P D F or access to an online page-turning version

space. Occupying the same floor space as a four drawer filing cabinet with more than three times the capacity, Unit Spacefinder is an open storage system designed for a busy, modern office where simultaneous access is required by many people. For a secure, high density storage solution, Twinfile is a lockable cabinet with a rotating inner unit, allowing access to both sides of the cabinet, offering twice as much filing in half the space and time.

The new brochure also features a wide range of filing supplies and accessories including folders and pockets, labels, dividers, clips and storage boxes.

And for the first time, the new catalogue also

From file folders, colour coded filing systems, mobile shelving and high density filing cabinets to file tracking software and specialist scanning services, Cave Tab offers the best range of records management products along with specialist expertise to help customers find more efficient ways to organise and file their records, establish better storage methods to improve space utilisation and increase employee productivity and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

As the leading supplier of colour coded filing systems - proven to reduce file retrieval time by up to 40% - Cave Tab’s advanced Tabquik colour coded indexing system allows users to locate files at speed. With numbers zero to nine and every letter of the alphabet assigned a unique one-inch high colour bar, when folders are on shelves large blocks of colour are formed and users are quickly drawn to the correct numeric or alphabetic zone. If a folder is misfiled, the colour block is 'broken' and the offending file is instantly flagged, providing optimal file control and virtually eliminating human error.

Agency Discount -10% For other advertising options and special deals, please contact: advertisina@areensheetmedia.com

Cave Tab helps organisations put paper in its place

Using alphabetic, numeric, terminal digit and subject indexing methods, Cave Tab can design the optimal colour-coded system to meet the specific needs of any organisation and also provides a full range of selfadhesive colour labels and its unique Tabquik file labelling software to allow customers to create their own labels.

Cave Tab also provides various high-density storage systems that ensure paper filing occupies the absolute minimum of office

contains details of Cave Tab's powerful webbased barcode and RFID document tracking system along with an overview of the company’s proven virtual mailroom services aimed at providing daily, weekly or monthly fulfilment of the conversion of paper documents' to electronic images. [Green Sheet ran an RFID article alongside a Cave Tab item in Issue 51. Ed.] ■ To order your copy of the catalogue visit: w w w .c a v e t a b .c o . u k

Remember Green Sheet changes its title to IDMi in January/February Issue 54. Visit www.idmi-onlinFi m m for info.

* M ay vary according to exchange rates

GSM.052.04

IM World: News from around the globe

www.greensheetmedia.com

( NEWS IN BRIEF

A

New MFP's From Canon

the globe SharePoint's Rise Splits Marketplace The rise of Microsoft SharePoint as the predominant departmental portal solution has led to two divergent reactions among traditional enterprise portal suppliers, with IBM, Oracle, and SAP now dividing up the top tier of the marketplace while a plethora of open source alternatives are expanding rapidly to compete directly with SharePoint, according to research undertaken by CMS Watch, a vendor-independent analyst firm that evaluates content technologies.

At the top tier, Oracle acquired two more portal products via BEA, but has now positioned its Oracle WebCenter Suite offering as the strategic choice for the future, while IBM continues to expand WebSphere Portal Server. Oracle and IBM have taken to emphasizing complex, enterprise integration scenarios that SharePoint typically cannot meet. "Both vendors are also betting heavily that new Web 2.0 features will keep their portal offerings relevant," notes CMS Watch founder Tony Byrne, "But many customers remain quite properly wary of extra portal overhead within their social computing projects."

Meanwhile open source portal projects continue to expand vigorously. "Open source communities increasingly tout themselves as an alternative to SharePoint for simpler scenarios," points out CMS Watch contributing analyst Janus Boye.

Apache, eXo, Liferay, and uPortal have all recently undergone major upgrades.

This analysis stems from research CMS Watch conducted for its recently released "Enterprise Portals Report 2009," which evaluates twelve portal solutions head-tohead.

CMS Watch also found: - SAP has also begun promoting the "Web 2.0" features of its portal, but remains substantially behind its competitors in this regard.

- The ranks of commercial portal vendors have shrunk, with Broadvision, ATG, PeopleSoft, and CA having exited the portal marketplace.

- Longtime vendor Vignette is increasingly bundling its portal offering with its other content management tools in a broader package.

CMS reports are available via Green Sheet.

For more information please visit: www.areensheetm edia.com /reports.htm

Basware Announces €1 Million Enterprise Purchase-to-Pay Contract in Pharmaceutical Sector

Canon UK has launched the iR 3225-45 series, a new range of black-and-white multifunctional printers (MFPs) that enable users to scan and distribute documents in colour. The iR 3225/N, iR 3235/N and iR 3245/N will provide a secure, cost-effective and powerful imaging solution for workgroups within the SME and corporate environments. www.canon.co.uk

Basware, a leading provider of financial process automation software, has announced that one of the largest global medical products companies has chosen the Basware Enterprise Purchase to Pay (EPP) solution, in a deal worth in excess of EUR 1 Million.

More Basware News Basware Corporation has agreed on the acquisition of the entire share capital of Contempus AS from Affecto.

Contempus provides Purchase to Pay as well as Enterprise Content Management solutions. www.basware.co.uk

The contract win further strengthens Basware's credentials in the pharmaceuticals and medical products sectors, and confirms the company’s continued success in the EMEA region, following half-year earnings reports which showed growth of 17%.

A-Server NV Launch Belgium based A-Server NV is set to launch a new “white label” continuous data protection appliance with off­ site replication service which will be delivered through UK channel partners and aimed squarely at small and medium businesses. A-Server will also offer a complimentary monitoring and troubleshooting services, also delivered through MSP and VAR's.

The solution being deployed for the medical products company will be implemented in the EMEA Region, covering some 20 countries, 15 different languages and over 3,000 employees, and will utilise a Shared Services Centre approach in Prague.

The end-to-end Basware Enterprise Purchase to Pay solution includes procurement, automated order matching, invoice workflow, contract matching and contract lifecycle management as the key components.

The solution follows on the success of technology partner Zenith Infotech which launched a similar service in the US last year that already has 155,000 computers under monitoring and over 5000 installations of its Backup and Data recovery service all sold exclusively via a network of small, local IT service providers. www.aserver.com

"We are pleased to deliver this comprehensive solution to support our customer's business objectives. This is an important agreement for us in the EMEA Region and via a Shared Services approach.

More and more companies are implementing end-to-end solutions from Basware to gain control, realise cost savings, and standardise best practice across disparate units. Many times, as in this case, it is part of an overall finance transformation program," says llkka Sihvo, CEO, Basware Corporation.

JETimage / Contex JETimage, the complete wide format copying software, is now available for the full range of Contex SD Series scanners.

With this update, JETimage is now fully compatible with all Contex HD and SD wide format scanner products.

Basware’s half-year earnings reported net sales of EUR 41 million, with growth of 17 percent. Basware’s profitability improved in the second quarter of the year with operating profit representing 11 percent of net sales.

JETimage copy software is the ultimate tool for professionals in high-volume reprographic and copy shops. It is designed especially for large format copying with the speed, flexibility and production necessary to produce high quality color matched copies and clean, sharp copies of monochrome originals. www.contex.com

In 2008, Basware expects the growth of net sales for the financial year to be from 15 to 25 percent compared with the Group’s net sales in the previous year. Operating profit (EBIT) is expected to be from 10 to 15 percent of net sales. The competitiveness of the software is still good due to new value-added products and the integrated concept that the products form. ■ www.basware.co.uk V

www.greensheetmedia.com

IM World: News from around the globe

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^NEWS IN BRIEF Kofax VRS For Canon's Canon UK and Kofax pic have announced that Kofax’s VirtualReScan (VRS) software will now be available as an option on the Canon imageFORMULA DR-X10C scanner, enabling users to enhance the quality of their scanned images and save time spent manually preparing and re-scanning documents. www.canon.co.uk www.kofax.com InfoPrint Delivers InfoPrint Solutions, a joint venture between Ricoh and IBM, today announced that McKesson UK, a leading healthcare IT solutions and services specialist, has chosen InfoPrint Solutions to deliver the essential hardware necessary for its secure, stateof-the-art print facility to support the payroll outputs for its Electronic Staff Record (ESR) project for the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales. ww.infoprint.com www.mckesson.co.uk JSO Joins AnyDoc VAR's AnyDoc Software, a developer of document and data capture solutions, has announced the addition of JSO Technology, LLC, a consulting and IT networking and data security reseller, to their value-added reseller (VAR) program. The partnership adds to AnyDoc’s reseller channel and enables JSO Technology to offer their clients award-winning document, data capture and classification solutions. www.anvdocsoftware.com

ARX Joins RSA ARX, a leading provider of digital signature solutions, announced today that it has joined the RSA Secured partner program, certifying interoperability between its CoSign® Digital Signatures and the RSA SecurlD® twofactor authentication solution developed by RSA.. www.arx.com

All Change At Green Sheet The Green Sheet magazine, its web site and the comprehens­ ive trade directory are all to re­ ceive a name change.

From January 2009 all Green Sheet activities will come under the name IDMi. www.idmi-online.com

V______ ________ J GSM:052.06

IM World:

continued _ _ Version One Accurate Partnership Document management and imaging software author Version One, are in a partnership with Accurate Solutions Limited, a leading provider of financial management systems to Oxbridge Colleges.

This partnership sees the integration of Version One’s suite of document management and imaging products into Accurate’s Mercury finance system, enabling users to electronically create, store, retrieve, deliver and authorise documents directly from their Mercury system. Colleges will also be able to automatically capture data from incoming documents, reducing manual data entry by up to 80%.

Phil Akers, Director of Accurate Solutions, says, “With integrated document management, Mercury users are provided with advanced functionality for the paperless management and processing of a range of documents including invoices, statements, remittances and student records. As well as cutting paper consumption and carbon emissions, thereby supporting colleges’ environmental policies, this technology also cuts costs, improves efficiency and frees-up document storage space.”

Lynne Munns, General Manager of Version One comments, “This partnership is great news for Mercury users who now have financial management and document management technology rolled into one, fullyintegrated system. For the first time, users can view imaged documents directly from their finance system and cah automatically deliver and authorise them without moving from their PCs.” Munns adds, “Both the business and environmental benefits of using document management cannot be underestimated.

Version One customers are experiencing a return on investment within just six months, cost savings of many thousands of pounds and swifter processing of documents. By eliminating the manual processing and handling of documents, the risk of human error, such as data entry mistakes and lost and damaged documents, is also removed.

This is in addition to reduced paper waste, which is fundamental to any organisation’s green agenda.” ■ www.versionone.co.uk

Power In Your Pocket!

Technology is great when it works. The problem with today’s mobile technology is that all too often, just when you need to make that important call from your mobile or send that email from your PDA, you have no power because the batteries have died.

This frustration need never happen again thanks to the new Travel PowerCharger from Ring Automotive.

using an in-car 12v DC adaptor or from a laptop, as well as from 240v ac mains.

The compact stylish design is perfect for both work and leisure, suitable for using on trains and planes, as well as in the great outdoors.

The portable multicharger is available in the UK from Ring Automotive. ■ ww w.rinaautom otive.co.uk

Small enough to fit into your pocket, desk drawer, bag or car glove compartment, the Travel PowerCharger has been designed to power mobiles, MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras and games consoles, even when you’re miles from the mains. It is one charger for all your needs.

Thanks to its lightweight Li Ion (lithium ion) battery technology, the charger offers incredible performance of up to 96 hours of reserve power. It comes complete with adapters for the most common mobile phones, including the old and new Nokias, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Motorola, the new Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. A USB port means it is ideal for recharging MP3 players, iPods and digital cameras.

The Travel PowerCharger can be recharged IM World: News from around the globe

www.greensheetmedia.com

It feels good to feel safe.

fi-4860C2

PRODUCTION SCANNERS

fi-5015C

DEPARTMENTAL SCANNERS ScanSnap S510

f I-4340C

WORKGROUP SCANNERS fi-5530C2

ScanSnap S510M

ScanSnap S300 What makes a good family?

You can rely on every single member.

By partnering Fujitsu you are in safe hands and can rely on us and our product family members. With decades of experience, market and technology leadership*, Fujitsu scanners are state-of-the-art.

Fujitsu has exactly the scanner that suits your specific needs.

r.milk-and-honey.de

How can reliability be even safer?

By having the right assurance. By partnering with Fujitsu you will have the opportunity to opt into our Assurance Programme, the manufacturer supported warranty and maintenance offering available on Fujitsu scanners. In addition to the standard warranty provision a series of warranty options and upgrades will be available as well as Out of Warranty cover for existing scanners. Simply said: A good family unit.

For further information on regional coverage and all AP products please visit http://emea.fujitsu.com/scanners * Infosource Scanner Market Report Spring 2006

FUJITSU j h e P OSSI BI L I T I E S

ARE

I NF I NI T E

All names, manufacturer names, brand and product designations are subject to special trademark rights and are manufacturer's trademarks and/or registered brands of their respective owners. All indications are non-binding. Technical data is subject to change without prior notification.

^NEWS IN BRIEF Interserve Invu Content Interserve, the leading facilities management and services company, has gone live with an Invu Document Management solution for its health division provided by Enterprise Content Management (ECM) expert The Content Group. The ECM software has been rolled out on contracts where there was an urgent need for an electronic document management system to replace the vast area taken up by filing cabinets. www.thecontentarouD.co.uk Double-Take ’Virtual' Survey A Double-Take Software has run a survey in collaboration with the organisers of Storage Expo 2008, (which takes place in London on 15th and 16th October). Key findings include an overwhelming interest in virtualisation, with 38% of respondents having already virtualised their production infrastructure and 52% having plans to do so. Increased infrastructure flexibility was cited as the main benefit of adopting virtualisation (48%), followed by cost reduction (21%). However, beyond these core factors, improved disaster recovery is widely considered a key additional benefit of virtualisation, with 82% stating that it is a significant feature. www.doubletake.com www.storaae-expo.co.uk and, still on the subject of Storage Expo ....

Q. What's top of your data storage and information management agenda?

Green IT? Virtualisation? Data De-duplication? Data Classification? Back Up & Archiving?

If you need inspiration on how data de-duplication can make much needed savings to your budget, need expert advice on introducing storage systems that require less space, power, and cooling, or you would like to find practical best-fit models for data backup then Storage Expo, the UK's definitive event for data storage, information and content management is a must attend!

Now in its 8th year, Storage Expo 2008 is on the 15th 16th October, at Olympia, Lon­ don. [We'll be there. Ed.] www.storaae-expo.co.uk

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continued _ _ Allen: Just The Woman For The Job InfoPrint Solutions, a joint venture between Ricoh and IBM, have announced that Allen Thrasher has been appointed Direct Marketing Principal for EMEA, leading InfoPrintOs newly-formed TransPromo Consulting Practice in EMEA. In this new role, Allen will work with customers to provide expert advice and guidance on how to integrate InfoPrint's TransPromo solution into their marketing programmes to increase ROI, response and conversion rates, and customer satisfaction.

target audience, a vital requirement as consumers are bombarded with multi­ channel marketing messages.

They transform printed transactional documents, such as utility and bank statements, into high-value communications pieces by incorporating highly personalised marketing content to promote products, services, and ultimately, brand loyalty. It

Allen, who was a speaker at the Marketing Week Customer Retention Summit in London on the 9th of September 2008, presented on how to combine data with new marketing technology to better engage with customers.

Prior to joining InfoPrint, Allen worked as a marketing consultant with the DM Consultancy. She consulted across the IT, telecoms and retail sectors, launching BT Mobile and products for Thomas Sanderson in the UK. Her global experience includes the launch of Concert Communications' IP Portfolio and Marriott Rewards internationally. She also worked with Intuit to launch its Quickeninsurance.com. She holds a B.A. and B.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, and is a member of the CIM. "Allen's experience across the breadth of integrated marketing - with over 13 years of direct marketing and 10 years in digital marketing - gives her a rare insight into the challenges and opportunities facing customers as they embrace TransPromo." said Dermot O'Loughlin, general manager, InfoPrint Solutions, EMEA. "As we empower TransPromo customers in EMEA to transition from small trials to production environments - as with Vesa in Spain - they will benefit from Allen's unique marketing knowledge."

TransPromo provides a new opportunity for marketers to improve ROI by increasing the response rates and revenue generated from marketing campaigns. InfoPrint customers can use TransPromo to engage with and form lasting relationships with their own

represents a growing market opportunity for marketers, with industry analysts InfoTrends predicting that such output will grow from 1.6 billion pieces globally in 2006, to 21.7 billion in 2010, a huge growth rate of 91 percent.

Ajoint venture between IBM and Ricoh In­ foPrint combines the strength of one of the world's most respected IT companies, with the business expertise of a leading supplier of office automation equipment. It provides proven, reliable output solutions that improve marketing communications and transform businesses.

They offer TransPromo and multi-channel marketing management across email, direct mail, internet, and SMS. InfoPrint's consulting practice and service professionals work with clients to optimise their output management to increase profits and ROI. ■ www.infoDrint.com

Wholesale Microfilm Scanning A wholesale digitizing services using the new DRS Digitizer is now available to US based Service Bureaus and other imaging professionals. The automatic feed microfiche digitizer allows the DRS to digitize images from fiche or jackets in grayscale for outstanding archival image quality. The DRS has a mega pixel camera which results in the IM World: News from around the globe

whole page being captured at once, this completely changes the old approach used

by Service Bureaus to digitize fiche records.

The quality is outstanding since the imaging process is not via a line scanner but a fiche digitizer that will capture each page in one grayscale shot. ■ www.pennieimaaina.com www.greensheetmedia.com

Advertising Feature

KODAK ANNOUNCES: BUSINESS PROCESS SERVICES FOR EUROPE Our Capabilities • Multiple hub centers in China and Malysia • 24x7; 365 days non-stop service ■ Languages including English, Chinese and Japanese • Services including data entry, card printing and document warehousing

Security Is Our Priority • ISO accreditation ISO9001 : 2000 • Secured site design e.g. CCTV surveillance • Dedicated operation room design, with smart card access etc.

• Data encryption during data transmission • Firewall protection • Back-up server and power generator to ensure undisturbed operation • Real-time productivity monitoring • Technology enabled tools e.g. OCR, ICR for productivity enhancement

Key Applications

Kodak has for many years operated BPS (Business Process Services) centres located in the greater Asia region. Within the European region, Kodak continues to support this already well established infra­ structure, providing innovative technologies and products into this market segment.

Throughout that period Kodak has been a leading player for imaging innovation and range of products.

Today, Kodak has the m ost extensive array of imaging products availabre from any manufacturer, Kodak is now further extending its offerings to include offshore BPS services. Offshore BPS is an opportunity for Kodak customers to take advantage of Kodak China's estab­ lished BPS centre, providing not only great value, but excellent quality adhering to all the Kodak image and index quality demands.

• Invoice processing • Airway-Bill processing • Births, Deaths & Marriages • Records digitisation • Claims processing • Membership/Credit cards • Image cleaning • Image cropping

l

Current custom ers are enjoying k e y from -im age rates in the range o f 3 charac-?1 ters per second at more than 99.6% ac­ Our China services operates 24x7x365 curacy. so tim e differences should never be an Kodak BPS is a fully owned and operated issue.

Kodak facility, so you can rest easy on any With the leveraging of its low cost infra­ employment issues sometimes associated structure and resources, Kodak BPS with the Asia region.

(China and Malaysia) are able to deliver a parallel, scalable, reliable and secured off­ The model is simple; the customers are shore outsourcing service - globally. Toge­ yours, the paper management and scan­ ther with our outsourcing networks in the ning is yours, but we ask you to consider Asia Pacific Region, including Hong Kong, Kodak when it comes to the indexing and manipulation of index and images once digit­ Thailand, Singapore and Japan, Kodak BPS is able to offer a variety of services ised. tailored to your needs.

You name the process and Kodak w ill be able to provide or design it, using it’s in house specialists.

• Credit card applications • Loan applications

¥

Security is an obvious concern when consid­ ering offshore services. The Kodak facilities have secure data lines, keycard entry sys­ tems, constant CCTV coverage, and pro­ cesses that ensure all operators are free of any personal capture or similar devices.

Another concern in dealing with offshore ser­ vices is the time you or your organisation may need to spend managing each out­ source. Kodak has local UK account man­ agement, and excellent English speaking personnel in Asia, mostly based in Hong Kong.

For more inform ation please contact: David Brown Kodak EAMER Business Services Director Document Imaging Tel: 07885 295 617 (Mobile) Email: david.J.Brown@kodak.com

Kodak

T?

' n e w s in b r ie f DRS Up Before UN Global data capture specialist DRS was invited to present at the United Nations regional workshop on census data processing, contemporary technologies for census data capture and data editing in the context of the 2010 World Programme for Population and Housing Censuses.

The purpose of the workshop was to present international standards for processing population and housing censuses [Isn't the plural 'census' or 'censum'? Ed.] and to highlight the significant additional capabilities of contemporary technologies and their use for census data capture and data editing. DRS had already presented alongside the UN at similar workshops in Qatar in May and Tanzania in June. www.drs.co.uk FolderBots Released Pegasus® Imaging, a leader in document imaging technology, has released FolderBots, which runs as a Windows Service to perform document image processing needed by many enterprises. It monitors input folders, performs userconfigurable image processing and conversion on images placed in those folders, and writes the processed file to different user-specified directories. FolderBots is a Windows NET application that integrates image enhancement and file conversion features provided by Pegasus Imaging’s ImagXpress and ScanFix Software Development Toolkits, in a ready-to-use Windows Service, without requiring any software development.. www.peaasusim aaina.com

ARX Joins RSA ARX, a leading provider of electronic signature solutions, has integrated CoSign® with Laserfiche Rio, (a complete ECM solution,) to guarantee the integrity of documents and ensure signer authenticity. www.arx.com New VP At Orbograph Orbograph Ltd., a developer of automated recognition solutions for the U.S. check processing and business process outsourcing markets, announced that Stewart Levine has joined the company as VP of Client Services. www.orboaraph.com V __________ _______________ GSM:052.10

IM World:

continued _ _ Avis Operators Choose Contempus Leading Automotive group, Barloworld Automotive has deployed Contempus.Invoice, an advanced accounts automation solution, to optimise financial control in its Scandinavian operations and to automate processing of the 100,000 invoices it receives in the region each year.

Barloworld Automtoive, which operates the Avis and Budget car rental brands in Scandinavia, has deployed Contempus.Invoice at its head offices in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The solution ensures that all invoices received at each head office location are processed, approved and scheduled for payment consistently and automatically.

Contempus. Invoice replaces Barloworld’s previous manual processing system, and integrates with the company’s Agresso accounting software. As well as automating what was previously a labour-intensive process, key benefits of the Contempus solution are consistent processing and management, and quick, easy access to archived invoices across Barloworld’s’ Scandinavian operations.

Kofax scanning and data capture products are used at the head office in each country to upload invoice data into Contempus, which is then matched against purchase orders and supplier details for local payment authorisation. After approval, the invoice image and supporting details are sent from each office to the central Contempus server in Billingstad, near Oslo.

Harald Lovstad, Finance Manager for Barloworld in Nonway said: “Even though we

deployed Contempus just two months ago, it has already made a big impact. A large proportion of our invoice processing is now automated, and we have much better visibility of where each invoice is, and control over the payment cycle. With Contempus’ archiving functions, we can also find and review previous transactions quickly without searching through paper records, which cuts wasted time and improves productivity. “The main focus for us is better management of the overall accounting process, but we also believe it will help to cut processing costs and further improve supplier relationships,” he added.

Barloworld chose Contempus.Invoice for its user-friendly management console and advanced architecture that enables co­ ordinated processing in decentralised environments. Its integration capabilities with multiple accounting, information and business systems also help to improved financial management. Barloworld’s future plans include integrating Contempus with order processing and requisition systems, to further automate financial management.

Contempus.Invoice is a web-based end-toend invoice processing solution which improves invoice management from receipt to payment, increasing efficiency and reducing costs while also providing greater control over business-critical information. It integrates easily with accounting, information and business systems to automate and streamline the accounts payable activity across the organisation. ■ www.contem pus.com

Jack Henry Outsourcing Success Jack Henry & Associates, Inc., a leading provider of integrated technology solutions and data processing services for financial institutions, has announced that during its 2008 fiscal year (ending June 30,) 27 banks automated by the technology platforms provided by its Jack Henry Banking™ division contracted to migrate from in-house processing to the company’s outsourcing offering.

These banks are now among the 524 diverse financial institutions that have chosen to

outsource their information and transaction processing to Jack Henry Banking’s OutLink Data Centers™. Through six regional data centers and 20 item processing centers, Jack Henry Banking leverages its functionally distinct core processing platforms SilverLake System®, GIF 20/20®, and Core Director® - to provide turnkey oOtsourcing solutions to banks ranging from de novo to multi-billion dollar mid-tier institutions. ■ www.iackhenrvbankina.com

Remember Green Sheet changes its title to IDMi in January/February Issue 54.

Visit w w w .idm i-online.com fo r info.

IM World: News from around the globe

www.greensheetmedia.com

( NEWS IN BRIEF New Uplogix® Distributor

Kendata Scantron Now With OMR Data capture specialist Kendata Peripherals has expanded its portfolio of Scantron products with the addition of the iNSIGHT 4 scanner, which offers a powerful combination of OMR (optical mark reading) technology and image capture capability.

Kendata is Scantron's longest-established UK distributor, and the iNSIGHT 4 is the first of a raft of new products resulting from the recent acquisition of NCS Pearson by Scantron's parent company, M&F Worldwide Corp.

removal and transport cleaning. There is a 40character alphanumeric display for operator messages, and scanner self-diagnostics quickly pinpoint any operational problems.

Equipped with both USB 2.0 and RS232 interfaces, the iNSIGHT 4 is fast, accurate and efficient. It can accommodate form sizes from 63.5 x 127.0mm to 228.6 x 355.6mm and has a throughput rate of up to 2200 sheets per hour.

The iNSIGHT 4 is one of the most versatile and efficient scanners available for automated data collection. As well as being able to read traditional OMR marks and check-mark boxes, the scanner includes intelligent character recognition (ICR) technology to enable it to convert hand-printed characters into digital data. This is a particularly useful facility for registration details such as names, addresses and identification numbers as it eliminates the time and cost of manually keying in the information.

The scanner is ideal for a wide variety of applications, including multiple-choice exams, course-evaluation surveys, registration forms and all types of questionnaires. ■ www.kendata.com

World Challenge For DRS DocXP The original schools expedition company, World Challenge, has deployed DocXP, an intelligent document and data capture solution provided by global data capture specialists DRS, to improve efficiency.

With DocXP, World Challenge’s application forms, post-expedition feedback questionnaires and other feedback forms are scanned and processed quickly and accurately. The data is then transferred into their own bespoke system which is easily accessible to all staff.

Before World Challenge implemented DocXP, the maximum number of applications being www.greensheetmedia.com

VersionOne Is Finalist Document management and imaging software author, Version One, is a finalist in the Paperless Office Software category of the Business Software Satisfaction Awards 2008. Version One is aiming to repeat last year’s success by winning this prestigious award.

Version One’s DbArchive is one of four products that has made the Paperless Office Software category shortlist with the winner being announced at an awards ceremony on 30 October 2008 at The Brewery, London. www.versionone.co.uk Canon 30ppm Scanner For Workgroups Canon UK has launched imageFORMULA DR-301 OC, its first 30 page per minute desktop workgroup scanner and Canon’s fastest scanner in this category. The DR-301 OC is suitable for both intensive, mission-specific tasks such as the processing of invoices or forms, as well as everyday, ad hoc scanning requirements. www.canon.co.uk

However, what really sets the iNSIGHT 4 apart is its ability to capture images of the scanned documents. With a single pass through the scanner, the iNSIGHT 4 can capture all the data on a form, together with an image of the whole page or just a userdefined field such as a comment box. This enables the user to create electronic archives which can then be easily shared online with colleagues.

Designed for ease of use, the scanner incorporates a fixed automatic-feed input hopper with a 100-sheet capacity, which eliminates the need for continual form reloading and constant operator attention. An open feed path allows sheet visibility at all times, as well as easy access for sheet

Uplogix®, the leading provider of next-generation secure remote management (SRM) solutions, has signed up Olivercom LLC to become its first Distributor for the Middle East as part of a regional expansion following strong demand. www.uDloaix.com

processed by one person in one day was 80; now up to 240 can be processed.

The increase in data analysed from feedback forms allows World Challenge to adapt to its customers’ demands, something of critical importance to the company.

DocXP by DRS, is a document capture, classification, data capture, storage and retrieval system, that allows documents to be scanned and electronically filed with all the data subsequently accessible online and instantly available. ■ www.drs.co.uk

IM World: News from around the globe

Basware Solution Boosts Productivity Direct conveyancing firm Goldsmith Williams has extended the use of it's Basware advanced mailroom automation solution to its Remortgaging department, ensuring fee-earners receive all case documents by the start of the business day, and boosting productivity and capacity in the department.

With the 250,000 incoming remortgage documents automatically routed to the relevant fee-earner’s task list for actioning, Goldsmith Williams estimates that it is saving over 50 hours of feeearner time every day as a result of reduced administration and a more streamlined and effective business model. www.basware.co.uk

l__________ ) GSM:052.11

GSM Test R ep o rt: 002

Canon MS 800 Microfilm Scanner OVERVIEW The Canon MS 800 provides an easy to use microfilm scanning facility for low volume or ad-hoc scanning. It has an option for scanning direct to printer without a PC having to be attached, and a further option of an electronic controller to retrieve blip marked film. A variety of lenses are available which cover the entire range of film formats.

The unit comes with a standard fiche/card carrier, and there are motorised carriers for cartridge/clip and standard 16mm rollfilm.

BASIC SPEC (from manufacturers own data) Equipment Type: Desktop digital microfilm scanner Screen: 300 mm (H) 435 mm (W) Scanning Method: Digital scanning at 300dpi by CMOS contact image sensor Max. Scanning Size: 295 mm (H) 432 mm (W) Polarity Detection: negative to positive, positive to positive, automatic Lens Magnification: X7-7.5, X9-16, X14-30, X20-50, X57 Film Types: fiche, jacket, aperture card, 16/35 mm roll film, ANSI/3M cart.

Scanning Modes: black and white, black and white-fine, black and white picture, grey scale(2/4/8bit) Density Controls: AE, manual Scanning Sizes: A3, A4, A4R, B5, B4 Scanning Speed: 200 dpi/3.0 sec., 300 dpi/3.4 sec., 600 dpi/5.4 sec. (A4 portrait) 200 dpi/3.9 sec., 300 dpi/4.7 sec., 600 dpi/8.8 sec. (A3) Focus: auto focus, manual Zoom: manual, zoom key memory Rotation: manual, automatic 90° rot.

Dims: (W/D/H) 612 x 600 x 760 mm Weight: approx. 47 Kg Options: FC190R-II, AC100C, FS controller I, RFC200, installation kit M, Lenses as above, Foot Switch, Operation Keyboard, Framing Kit, FP470 A3 Printer Specs: www.canon.co.uk

With a relatively small desktop footprint, the Canon microfilm scanner MS800 is flexible and easy to use. Coping with a variety of microfilm formats is key to that flexibility, and the unit will not look out of place in an average office environment.

Green Sheet visited Canon at their excellent sales facility in London called The View.

This allowed us to to review their flagship microfilm scanner first-hand, and to see for ourselves how easy it was to produce quality scans from even quite poor microfilm.

Coming with SCSI2 and USB 2.0 connec­ tion capability, it can quickly be set up to operate in a normal office environment, although direct sunlight onto the screen will impair viewing of the microfilm image on the reader. There are two drivers available: ISIS and TWAIN. The software provided with the MS800 is Canon's CapturePerfect 1.0, and the older ScanUtiliy 800. The inclusion of the older ScanUtility software is ideal in situations where the user might be more familiar with that release, or may have upgraded from either the MS300 or MS350, with which the software was supplied as standard.

When the software is invoked, the user is presented with a basic screen which repres­ ents the scan area once an image is processed. File options allow access to the Scanner Settings, Scan to Page, Scan to Print and Scan to Mail as well as other funtions such as Print. The MS800 can also be driven from TWAIN compliant software such as Adobe Acrobat or MS Word.

There is an auto-detect system, where the device is seen by the PC when it is switched on while connected via USB. This connec­ tion allows the software to start automatic­ ally.

Effectively the MS800 can be used in any one of three modes: print direct to printer (al­ though that does require an additional inter­ face,) microfilm scan mode, and as a reader/printer/scanner The large A3 screen allows a decent size image with the correct lens fitted, although

care would need to be taken regarding am­ bient light and strong directional sunlight spilling onto the screen area. [As is the case with all microfilm readers, or indeed any projected image. Ed ] At 200dpi a standard 16mm microfilm frame of an A4 document will scan in approxim­ ately 3 seconds. The scanned image is then displayed within the software viewing area for verification/QC prior to any re-scanning, adjustment or other processing re­ quired prior to committing to a file format.

Scan options other than 200dpi are de­ scribed in the BASIC SPEC panel to the left.

There is an automatic polarity detection fa­ cility, which funnily enough, automatically detects the polarity of the microfilm being scanned. This results in a black-on-white image displayed within the scan software for correctly oriented viewing of the original document. It is possible to reverse the polar­ ity within the software if that happens to present a clearer results.

The excellent optics are driven by a motor­ ised focus and zoom systems. With a range of lenses from 7x to 50x magnification, and a 57x fixed focus, that renders the optical side capable of viewing, and therefore scan­ ning, all standard microfilm at all standard (filmed) reduction ratios, and a good range of non-standard too. But more about the lenses in a minute.

The variety of formats the machine will cope with is comprehensive, but not ex­ haustive. On the subject of film formats: As with any system which has been developed and (forced to?) evolve over a period of 100plus years, microfilm is party to more than its fair share of 'standards'. This is because the final microfilm image is committed to a film base, and is therefore technologically in­ dependent. Many different microfilm formats have been introduced, peaked, and in some cases disappeared altogether, over time. The usual suspects have to be catered for in any microfilm scanning sys- * tern, and the MS800 does that adequately.

It must be remembered that this scanning unit is not designed for high volume scan-

as an introduction to low, ad-hoc, or even medium volume scanning o f a single format job, it is well worth considering" "...

ning of microfilm, as in perhaps a situation where there might be a specific format re­ quirement, what it IS designed for, and caters for well, is the coverage of all stand­ ard formats on a low volume or ad-hoc basis.

allows you to track back to a specific point when working on the film. With the optional FS Controller I, the additional funtionality of automatic search and retrieval can be used to find frames using frame edge detection techniques or multi-level blips from either of the two main specifications.

is a large scanning requirement requiring several scan units, it is possible to converge the scanning activity to one single PC via a USB hub. The only consideration with that type of operation would be disk space and memory on the target PC, where multiple sets of scanned

There are two carri­ ers available for the 800.

The Auto Carrier 100, which can load ANSI, ANSI Enclosed, 3M and Kodak Ektamate cartidges, and the Roll/Fiche Carrier 200 which is de­ signed for 16mm and 35mm rollfilm, as well as fiche and aperture cards.

If there is a situation where both carriers are needed to scan jobs and the carriers need to be changed frequently, it would be worthwilei investing in a I'lST second scanner as the changeover, although relativley straightforward, takes about 5-10 minutes and for some obscure reas­ The Canon MS 800 Microfilm Scanner, shown (without carrier) and with a printer (optional) on known only to the attached and the FS controller (also optional). NOTE: Software now comes on CD. ©Canon designers - involves image files are streaming continuously on (Kodak and Bell & Howell) the use of a standard screwdriver! to the hard drive.

Returning to the lenses, there is a The unit has a remote controller which Some form of logistics/file-management comprehensive range of 1 fixed and 4 replicates all of the functionality of the script would be required to copy or move zoom lenses.

The range covers controls on the front of the MS800. (Focus, the images across a network where they magnifications to cope with all microfilm zoom, rotate, exposure, print etc.) The can be QC'd and indexed at leisure. format, from full frame 35mm microfilm controller also allows access to memory (7x) down to high reduction duplex film functions where specs for up to three There is an optional footswitch which might make certain operations easier (42x) and an old favourite of the banking different job types can be stored. without the user being distracted from the and motor industry - step-and-repeat fiche (48x). Ultra high reduction microfilm and ob­ If there is a requirement to use the scanner MS 800 screen. scure reduction ratios such as that without a PC, it is possible to scan direct to (possibly) only ever utilised by Her a printer, although an additional interface is At a guide price for the basic MS 800unit Majesty's Ministry of Defence might also required. This might work well in a libaray of around £8,000 excluding VAT, it is not be read if they do not exceed 57x reduc­ or 'public' situation where the scan-print fa­ exactly cheap, but as an introduction to cility is perhaps preferable to letting users low, ad-hoc, or even medium volume scan­ tion. ning of a single format job, it is well worth kWhen reading rollfilm and cartridge film in loose on a PC. considering. ■ k ^ t h e motorised carriers, a handy digital ^ k fra m e counter can be set which If you have you have situation where there

Prices As the MS 800 is based on a m odular concept. Please con­ tact C anon or an authorised dealer fo r m ore inform ation.

Installation: Configuration: Functionality: Ease of Use: Documentation:

N/A* N/A* 80% 75% 80%

*Pre-installed/configured

GSM OVERALL RATING

7 .7 5

out of 1 0

DATA STORAGE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

CONTENT MANAGEMENT Three main reasons to visit this years Storage Expo in the UK There is a fourth reason: M anaging E ditor John B aker takes a look at Green Sheet's closer-than-norm al in­ volvem ent at the UK version of w hat is now an international show with venues around Europe There has been much debate about the whys and wherefores of the Documation Show demise. A show which until this year was normally co-hosted with Storage Expo in the UK. This simple fact remains: It is now the largest Information Management related show left on the events calendar in the UK. As a result, many eyes will be on perform­ ance, content, and visitor figures. It must not only work for the industry as a whole in the UK, but also be seen to work. (And not just here in the UK, but seen to work inter­ nationally too!)

Loose Coupling. Close Coupling further re­ ferred to anything which lay anywhere inbetween. Remember we are talking about the 'early days' of integration. Days when if you wanted data out of SAP and punted into your EDMS software as a search para­ meter, you 'screen scraped' X and Y co­ ordinates off the SAP screen, and fired that data into your EDMS or program of choice. Halcyon days (for some) no doubt.

Here we are in the noughties, and cuttingedge technologies ultimately filter down to define how computer and other systems inand are managed. They are begin:o manifest themselves in the form of HDTV’s which can surf the net, and the welding together of other technologies.

GPS on your PDA, which also happens to be a mobile phone, is another key ex­ ample. Let us not forget that it was the leis­ ure industry that drove video viewing tech­ nology to the efficient streamed content that we now take for granted. OK, yes, it was the pornography industry that drove the change (due to online demand for mov­ ing pictures,) but I believe the principle is sound, in that it does demonstrate how the demands of one industry can affect another-

w w V g # ,

The clock is ticking and the money meter is running. Visitors, exhibitors (and the press corps of course,) are on the starting blocks ready for 'the off.

So what is Storage Expo and how does it differ in content and format with Documa­ tion? The answer is probably as simple as that stated on the smouldering embers of the Documation web site - 'increasing align­ ment'. We are perhaps entering a phase in information management where the 'align­ ment' has never been so close, and is likely to get much closer.

I will not pretend to totally understand the inner workings of many of the systems that are out there, but I have enough know­ ledge from my early days of project man­ agement (in the late 80's,) to know something of the mechanics. Laterally, in the mid 90's, I used to use three terms to describe how one software program could work within another. In those days, having your Visio flow-chart software available within the real-estate of MS Word, was not only dashed convenient, but seemed to save on valuable PC resources too. I called that Full Coupling. If it were feasible to invoke one program from another, or per­ form some method of data interchange via a DLL or an API, I referred to that as

to rs

GSM:052.14

The internet is another good example. It was born out of a U.S.A. researched and funded, American built and American de­ veloped defence system. The web did not exist as we know it, and it used to be the exclusive (and essentially privately owned and managed,) domain of information thirsty boffins wishing to publish/share data on projects. This was the virtual realestate inhabited by white coated NASA types, and my favourite type, the one I was introduced to the net by - the bespec­ tacled librarian who had become an 'inform­ ation scientist'. Terminology comes and goes, but without my bespectacled librari­ an I would not have been so wise as to what the internet had to offer, so soon.

STORAGE EXPOiSPECIAL PREVIEW

Larry Ellison of Oracle, spoke about fat servers and thin clients many years ago.

The idea of downloading or invoking software across a network or even the in­ ternet, is as strong now as it was 'way back when'. (Just don't ask me to sub­ scribe to the idea, for reasons I will tell of in a forthcoming article,) My point in all this is that there has never been a time such as this. A time where not only are new or emerging technologies working closely together, but also existing and even older systems are becoming almost seemless in their joint operation.

We will never (at least never in my life­ time,) reach the point of a Tolkien'esque 'One System to Bind Them AH', but where feasible, and where possible, we will get very close.

Even the massive Hedron Collider particle accelerator recently brought online, will produce improvements in technology. Not because particle Alpha309 is discovered,, nor perhaps because Neutron 7604 lives in 15 different states of existence within the same parsec of time, it is because the massive gigaquads of data (to borrow the Star Trek parlance,) is too much even for Cern's massive computers.

Necessity is truly the Mother of Invention, and that is why we are going to Storage Expo - nay not just going, but media part­ nering too. Embracing the Reed Exhibi­ tions announcement of 'increasing alignment' and looking at the Green Sheet and its sub-heading of 'Keeping You In­ formed', it would be wrong of us not to.

And as we head for January and the fur­ ther 're-alignment' of the Green Sheet by changing its name to 'Information and Document Management international' it's essential! iohnbaker@g reensheetmedia.com www.greensheetmedia.com

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DATA STORAGE - INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT - CONTENT MANAGEMENT Storage Expo: Special Preview

Think again about your Disaster Recovery strateg

By Martin Brown, Senior Director of Enterprise Sales UK, Symantec

Secondary sites for business continuity and disaster recovery have been part of the enterprise computing equation for decades, but only recently has their importance commanded top-line visibility.

Specifically, in the Summer of 2006, the UK floods and previously in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina gave business executives and IT managers a collective shock: these natural disaster severely impacted the IT infrastructure and network facilities across the globe, affecting the primary and backup IT facilities of many organisations. The wholesale confusion that ensued in many cities brought into sharp focus the need for comprehensive business continuity plans, incorporating secondary data centre sites located far enough away so as to be untouched by the disaster affecting the primary data site.

However, many IT organisations believe that secondary data centres are inherently expensive and impractical for all but the largest enterprises.

Today, new technologies are available to help enterprises better achieve business continuity in the chaos and devastation that natural and man-made disasters leave in their wake. This disaster recovery (DR) strategy can also be an extension of the local high availability (HA) sotutiofi the organisation already has in place, it can address causes of downtime like user error that most IT managers rarely think about when devising their DR plan.

Automated solutions for configuration management, clustering, provisioning, and server virtualisation are available now, making secondary data centres a costeffective option that can operate in a streamlined, cost-effective manner.

In addition to automating failover and recovery functions, these same tools can also help administrators meet stringent system availability requirements by helping to minimise downtime.

The following strategies can help enterprise IT organisations implement robust high availability and disaster strategies that maximise system availability for day-to-day operations.

Solve problems faster: Traditionally, one of the key challenges in executing timely disaster recovery was a delay in alerting IT staff to an outage, and subsequent problem diagnosis. Advanced clustering technology notification and reporting capabilities can pinpoint when an outage occurs, and immediately notify administrators of a problem. Clustering technology then takes immediate action by

;o r s

GSM:052.16

starting up applications at the secondary data centres and connecting users to the new data centre. Administrators can then use configuration management tools to diagnose the cause of the downtime.

Automate recovery processes: many organisations, system recovery manual process. Pressure builds administrators as time, revenue, customer loyalty slip away, and potential for human error rises.

For is a on and the An

more value to be extracted from secondary sites, enabling them to be used for test development, quality assurance, or even less critical applications. If a disaster strikes and the primary data centre goes down, administrators can use provisioning software to automatically reprovision server resources to match the production environment.

With th$ flexibility to dynamically reconfigure and reallocate resources, the secondary site becomes a resource that can be used for multiple

time, revenue, and customer loyalty slip away, and the potential for human error rises.' automated approach, such as high purposes the majority of the time, but can Tivailabilif^"ÂŽ clustering, elirfiiriateS vast " w â&#x20AC;? ~ quickly reverted ^49backup amounts of downtime compared to a designation when needed. traditional manual recovery process. If a system fails in the primary data centre, the Across industries, enterprise IT software can restart the application organisations have been made highly automatically on another server. aware of the devastating impact that natural and man-made disasters can have Test your DR plan: Recent studies have on business continuity. Secondary data shown that few companies test their DR centres have long been viewed as plans on a regular basis, and as a result, expensive and impractical for all but the most companies have little faith that their largest enterprises, but with innovative DR plans will work when needed. new high availability and disaster recovery Companies have been reluctant to software is available to allow IT conduct DR testing because testing often organisations to consider a secondary site involves bringing down production as a viable choice. systems and mobilising a large segment of the work force, forcing employees to work Now, more than ever, the time is right for during inconvenient hours such as enterprise IT organisations to rethink DR weekends or nights. With automated strategies and enhance their business failover capabilities, IT organisations can continuity plans with a secondary data test recovery procedures using a copy of centre. J i the production data - without interrupting production, corrupting the data, or risking Symantec (UK) Ltd is exhibiting at problems upon restarting a production Storage Expo 2008 the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitive application. This capability means that event for data storage, information and tests can be run during business hours content management. Now in its 8th instead of over the weekend, reducing year, the show features a staff overtime. comprehensive FREE education Extract value from secondary sites: For programme and over 100 exhibitors at most enterprise IT organisations, the National Hall, Olympia, London secondary sites are viewed strictly as cost from 15 -1 6 October 2008 centres, sitting idle much of the time. New advances in server provisioning software www.storaae-expo.com STORAGE EXPOrSPECIAL PREVIEW

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DATA STORAGE

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - CONTENT MANAGEMENT Storage Expo: Special Preview

Adobe and Fuji Film deploy Isilon SaaS and Clustered Storage successes fo r UK company

At Adobe

D

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reliability and performance of our solutions tantamount to our clients’ success,” said Pete Noel, senior director of technology and operations for Scene7 at Adobe. “The Isilon clustered storage solution met our requirements for high levels of reliability, scalability and ease of use.”

of this macro trend, as its on-demand platform enables companies to create rich, interactive online experiences specifically designed to enhance and strengthen the customer relationship.”

massive library of digital images onto one, easily scalable, easy-to-use storage system, eliminating disparate silos of information and maintaining the highest levels of reliability and performance in content access.

barriers *-■ of traditional storage architectures.

OneFS is a unified operating system software layer that powers all of Isilon's award-winning family of IQ clustered storage systems including the Isilon IQ 200, 1920, 3000, 6000, 9000, 12000, Accelerator, and EX 6000, 9000 and 12000. Isilon also provides a robust suite of software applications in­ cluding:

Isilon® Systems (NASDAQ: ISLN), have announced that Adobe Scene7 has deployed Isilon IQ clustered storage to power its on-demand rich media platform used by eCommerce and multi-channel marketing companies who need to upload, manage, enhance and publish dynamic rich content on the Web. ad o b e scene7 Isilon IQ is a primary storage platform that unifies workflow into a single, high-performance, highly Leading O n -D em an d scalable, shared pool of storage, M e d ia Solutions Enhance Customer Experience streamlining content creation, hosting, serving and archiving operations while dramatically reducing IT costs and complexity.

Small Business Editions Isilon’s unique, “pay as you grow” clustered architecture enables users to “As the Internet continues to penetrate scale capacity and performance linearly every aspect of modern life, its value as and marketing vehicle is and independently, completely eliminating sales disparate islands of storage and indisputable. Combined with advances in significantly increasing its users access to rich media technologies, the Internet presents enormous opportunities for critical content. businesses to more effectively engage and relate to their customers on a global “Leading companies the world over rely on our powerful, rich media software scale,” said Steve Fitz, Senior Vice platform to engage their customers more President of Worldwide Field Operations, deeply and effectively making the Isilon Systems. “Scene7 is at the

And at Fuji Film Another Isilon® Systems success story for 2008 was the announcement that Fuji Film have deployed Isilon IQ clustered storage to power the Fuji Film Museum and Shop, (w w w .fuiifilm m useum .com t The Fuji requirement was to ‘protect the culture of photography,’ and their online digital imaging service enables users to access and purchase valuable____ works of art, featuring famous images from the world’s most renowned photographers.

With Isilon IQ, Fuji Film has unified its vast collection of valuable digital images into a single, highperformance, highly scalable, shared pool of storage to meet the intense performance, scale and reliability requirements of its ‘always-on’ operations.

The “Fuji Film Museum & Shop” displays a multitude of images by acclaimed professional photographers, as well as works submitted from competitions and from the general public. By transforming its museum into a publicly-accessible website, Fuji Film enables visitors to access its vast collection of photography from anywhere in the world for purchase and distribution. With Isilon clustered storage, Fuji Film has consolidated its

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“As the Internet continues to be a driving force in the distribution and consumption of media, innovative companies are maximizing the economies of efficiency

Powered by OneFS®, Isilon IQ delivers the industry’s first single file system that unifies and provides instant and ubiquitous acqess to the rapidly growing stores of unstructured data digital content, eliminating the cost and complexity barriers of traditional storage architectures. OneFS is a unified operating system software layer that powers all of Isilon's award-winning family of IQ clustered storage systems including the Isilon IQ 200, 1920, 3000, 6000, 9000, 12000, Accelerator, and EX 6000, 9000 and 12000. Isilon also provides a robust suite of software applications including SnapshotlQ™, SmartConnect™, SmartQuotas™, MigrationlQ™ and SynclQ® that leverage OneFS and clustered storage, providing the highest levels of data protection and automated data management. ■

SnapshotlQ™ SmartConnect™ SmartQuotas™ MigrationlQ™ SynclQ® available through the worldwide web to advance their businesses,” said Steve Fitz, Senior Vice President Worldwide Field Operations, Isilon Systems. “Fuji Film’s Museum and Shop is a perfect example of how businesses can leverage the Internet to distribute more media and reach more consumers - than ever before.”

Powered by OneFS®, Isilon IQ delivers the industry’s first single file system that unifies and provides instant and ubiquitous access to the rapidly growing stores of unstructured data digital content, eliminating the cost and complexity STORAGE EXPO:SPECIAL PREVIEW

They leverage OneFS and clustered storage, providing the highest levels of data protection and automated data management. ■ Isilon are exhibiting at Storage Expo 2008, the UK’s definitive event for data storage, information and content management. Now in its 8th year, the show features a comprehensive FREE education programme and over 100 exhibitors at the National Hall, Olympia, London from 15 - 16 October 2008 www.storaae-expo.com www.greensheetmedia.com

Key Industry Reports

BE AL

The Digital & Media

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The ShareP Report 20

In line with our remit to Keeping You Informed, here are a few choice reports to do just that.

Compiled and written by industry experts, these reports will without doubt make a valuable addi­ tion to your arsenal of business information.

STO RV

A Comprehensive Evatu I SharePoint in the Ente I

rfM11Arch‘vii

MSS®

Digital & Media Asset Management Report 2008

The Digital & Media Asset Management Report 2008 Onmfwnenaiv* Product FvMuamm

The Digital & Media Asset Management Report 2008 provides an overview of leading DAM products and DAM best practices, including 7- to 15-page comparative evaluations of 10 DAM vendors, as well as 1-2 page summaries of 8 specialty and upand-coming vendors.

Published by CMS Watch, the report is ideal for organizations looking to develop a business-driven DAM or MAM strategy, or who are considering selecting a product and need unbiased technical assessments, or who simply need a clearly-written guide to this confusing, fast-changing landscape.

Ge t

the

The E C M

For more info visit: The SharePoint Report 2008

The SharePoint Report 2008

Find out how SharePoint really works. SharePoint is very good at certain things, but very poor at others. Researched by the same CMS Watch team that has been providing buyers with unbiased advice for the past 7 years, The SharePoint Report 2008 will help your team decide whether and where and when to apply SharePoint to your information management problems.

Who Should Consider This Report? Enterprises that realise the most value from SharePoint will have aligned business and IT teams to figure out a specific approach to this enigmatic platform a platform that seems so easy to use but so difficult to master.

For more info visit:

E-mail Archiving and Management Report 2008

The Email Archiving and Management Report 2008

HOW TO ORDER

Find out how the tools really work. The report will help your team make informed e-mail archiving and management technology strategy and buying decisions.

For pricing and licence options, please refer to: www.areensheetmedia.com/reDorts.htm

Providing an overview of leading EAM products and EAM best practices, including comparative evaluations of 14 EAM vendors, the report is ideal for organisations looking to develop an e-mail archiving strategy, or who are considering selecting a product and need unbiased technical assessments, or who simply need a clearly-written guide to this confusing, fast-changing landscape.

You can order by: WEB: (Credit Card, PayPal, or via Email) www.areensheetmedia.com/reDorts.htm

PHONE: For more info visit: The ECM Suites Report

The ECM Suites Report 2008

The report will help your team make informed enterprise content management technology strategies and buying decisions, by providing a comprehensive overview of ECM product suites and best practices. Including: 12x 20 page comparative evaluations of 10 ECM Suite vendors, 5x 6 page evaluations of 9 Mid-range vendors, and 1x page summaries of 13 Specialty vendors.

Ideal for organisations looking to develop a business-driven ECM strategy, or who are considering selecting a product suite and need unbiased technical assessments, or who simply need a clearly-written guide to a confusing, fast-changing landscape.

(Credit Card or Pro-Forma Invoice) Voice Hotline ....

0044 24 7638 2328 Fax Hotline ....

EMAIL: (Credit Card, or Pro-Forma Invoice) wendvmorrow@areensheetmedia.com NOTE: Special Order Reference In all correspondence please quote the following: GSM52-CMS

For more info visit:

DATA STORAGE - INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT

- CONTENT MANAGEMENT

Storage Expo: Special Preview

LeftHand Networks SERVER VIRTUALIZATION - KILLER APP FO

By Larry Cormier, VP of Marketing, LeftHand Networks Server Virtualization is the killer app for i While this sounds like just another aggressive sound bite, the reality is that the facts back it up.

Server virtualization implementations began in Test and Development organizations. Mostly in large businesses where existing fiber channel SANs were already in place. As the benefits server virtualization accelerated adoption by smaller organizations, the ease of use and affordability offered by iSCSI motivated end users to implement iSCSI SANs instead of fiber channel for storage. IT managers who are familiar with both technologies began to understand some inherent benefits from using iSCSI as storage for virtualized environments. Over half of our customers are purchasing LeftHand iSCSI SANs in conjunction with some sort of server virtualization project, when asked ‘‘why iSCSI instead of FC?" customers had a litany of reasons. I’ve tried to summarize their responses below.

The hardware-centric nature of Fibre Channel (FC) creates a number of problems when implementing virtual machines. In FC environments WWNs (World Wide Names) are used to uniquely identify equipment in the SAN. The WWN is an identifier tied to specific hardware such as a server HBA or a storage array!jj In virtualized environments, this dependency on physical hardware intensifies the complexity of managing tb environment and exposes new security risks. iSCSI provides a number of advantages in virtualized environments.

1. iSCSI Simplifies Virtual Machine Mobility for High Availability (HA): Virtualization increases the need for HA. With server virtualization, users typically run multiple applications on each physical server, exposing themselves to a potentially significant impact if a server fails since every single application (all the VMs) running on that server will go down.

To solve this problem, virtualization vendors have implemented mobility features that enable VMs to move to other physical servers in the event the server they reside on fails. Using a FC SAN in this type of environment creates additional complexity. a. Every VM must be mapped to every FC HBA that could potentially be used as the physical connection to the SAN. b. Every FC HBA that a VM may use must have access to that VMs’ storage.

The multiple layers of relationships (VM to HBA to storage) create complexity and make the FC SAN difficult to manage. iSCSI avoids this complexity because it

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GSM:052.20

uses an IQN (iSCSI qualified name) on each virtual machine that can be mapped directly to its storage. There are no intermediate hardware relationships to complicate things. With iSCSI, VMs are mapped directly to their storage and that relationship remains even if the VM moves to a different physical server. iSCSI also

iSCSI is not exposed to this because each VM is mapped to its own storage and there is no need to have to use the hypervisor or some new FC switch to manage security between VMs. Standard Ethernet security protocols like CHAP authentication are used to effortlessly ensure a secure connection. Likewise,

'iSCSI simplifies security for virtualized environments'

eliminates the FC requirement of ensuring that all VMs are related to any HBAs that might have to be used.

since iSCSI is standard IP (Internet Protocol) traffic any/all common IP security mechanisms work.

This brings us to a second issue. Security!

3. iSCSI Delivers Performance Without Configuration Headaches: Virtualization increases server utilization. By running more applications on a single physical server, end users can achieve much higher utilization rates for servers.

However, most FC SANs are configured assuming a load from one application per server. By increasing the utilization of the server with multiple virtual machines you increase the amount of performance the server requires from the SAN. If zones

2. iSCSI Simplifies Security for Virtualized Environments: If you map VMs to a FC HBA, and then map that HBA to the storage, every single VM on that server has access to every other VM’s storage. Users can leverage the security features in the hypervisor or new emerging FC security features to sort this out, but this creates additional complexity and management.

STORAGE EXPO:SPECIAL PREVIEW

www.greensheetmedia.com

and LUNs are not properly set up to accommodate this increase in load, VMs can experience disk contention resulting in inadequate performance. iSCSI avoids disk contention by providing each VM with the ability to connect directly to its storage. Users aren’t constrained by the storage resources to which the server is mapped, and have the flexibility to map each VM independently so disk contention issues are avoided.

h

These are just a few of the advantages that end users are discovering about iSCSI vs FC in virtualized environments.

Some of the emerging iSCSI storage vendors like LeftHand Networks take these advantages even further.

LeftHand Network’s Performance Advantage for Server Virtualization: As higher utilization rates of servers are achieved SANs are required to provide higher performance. Of course users can purchase a new controller and rip and replace their existing one, but even then users may have to reconfigure their SAN so that zones and LUNs can accommodate the increased load resulting from the multitude of virtual machines.

Performance issues in a virtualized environment can be avoided with a LeftHand SAN. LeftHand delivers a clustered storage system, whereby each unit in the cluster provides network connections, processing power, cache,

Also At Storage Expo ....

Source: storage-expo.com Includes provisional and confirmed exhibitors.

3PAR 320 Acopia Networks 630 Acronis UK 540 Adtech Global Solutions 537 Aserver NV 205 Atlanta Technology 130 BakBone Software 125 BlueArc UK Ltd 670 Boston Limited 526 Broadberry Data Systems 387 Brocade 370 Bull Info Systems Ltd 299 Centaur Media pic 504 Cimtech Ltd 690 Cisco360 Civica Services 305 ClusterScale 300 CMS Products Inc. 490 CommVault Systems 555 Compellent 485 Computer Associates Ltd 588 Consolidate IT 210 COPAN Systems, Inc 495 Corporate Rewards 528

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etc... The LeftHand SAN automatically balances the load from all VMs evenly across each unit in the cluster. By distributing the load evenly, controller bottlenecks are avoided. In addition, each volume on the SAN leverages every single disk drive, network connection, and processor in the SAN ensuring consistent performance of every volume and avoiding disk contention issues.

Beyond performance, LeftHand can also simplify manageability of highly available environments.

Seamless VM and Storage HA, No Manual Intervention for Failover and Fallback: Lots of vendors talk about enabling virtual machine HA, but the fact of the matter is if a storage system does not provide HA, the environment is not highly available. If the storage goes down, the VMs don’t have access to the data. To implement highly available storage, traditional vendors use synchronous replication where they keep two volumes synchronized so that if one volume goes down, the other is an exact replica. The issue with this approach is that if VMs come back up in the secondary site, they have to be remapped to the secondary volume. This same issue occurs when users failback to the primary site. This is a manual process and at best it is done by r » scripting.

M

the data (one at each location) within a single volume on the SAN, virtual machines don’t ever have to be connected to the secondary volume or reconnected to the primary. These tasks are eliminated altogether as the virtual machines remain connected to the same volume regardless of physical location.

Now the entire environment, including applications, virtual machines and storage, is highly available with automated failover and failback capabilities. No user intervention for failover/failback is ever required.

With all of the advantages of iSCSI over FC in virtualized environments, plus new emerging vendors like LeftHand Networks taking performance and availability to the next level, iSCSI storage is proving to be the defacto standard for server virtualization environments. Not sure who said it first, but it is worth saying again: | Server Virtualization is the Killer App for

ps'cstffc 11

LeftHand Networks is exhibit Storage Expo 2008 the UK’s definitive event for data storage, information and content management. Now in its 8th year, the show features a comprehensive FREE education programme and over 100 exhibitors at the National Hall, Olympia, London from 15 - 16 October 2008.

wflyw%toggi9r!e,sBa.cPm A LeftHand SAN avoids these complex manual tasks. By managing two copies of

Cristie Data Ltd 130 C2C 100

H&S Software 595 Hewlett Packard Ltd 240 Hitachi Data Systems 350 Horizon Data Management 550 Huawei Technologies (UK) Ltd. 570

Data Domain 280 DataCore Software Corporation 555 Dell Corporation Ltd 230 Disques & Silice - IDSBOX 385 Double-Take Software SAS 450 EMC Computer (UK) Ltd 340 Emulex Ltd 420 Essential Computing 472 European Reseller 506 Expand Networks 315 Falconstor 130 Fibre Technologies Ltd 215 Financial Sector Technology 302 Fordway Solutions Ltd 547 Fortuna Power Systems Ltd 387 FotoWare UK Limited 470 Fujitsu Siemens Computers 285 GCH Test & Computer Services Ltd 150 GFT Inboxx 397 Global Distribution 546 GROUP Technologies 515

IBM UK LTD 430 Idealstor 160 Imation UK Ltd 514 Info X 290 InMage 527 Isilon Systems UK Ltd 580 iStor Networks Inc. 524 ITPassion Ltd 498 Kell Systems 412 LeftHand Networks (UK) Ltd 680 LSI Corporation 460 LTO Program 517

NetC Europe 522 Neverfail Group 535 Nexsan Technologies Ltd (Europe) 555 Northern Parklife AB 200 ONStor 122 Open-E 387 Overland Storage 330 Panduit Europe Ltd 390 Paragon Software Group 695 Pillar Data Systems 440 Pixelution Ltd 387 Plasmon Data Ltd 380 Platespin 555 ProDefence 160 Promise Technology Europe 480 QLogic 295 Qualstar Corporation 516 Quantum Corporation 270 Riverbed Technology, Ltd 565

Mimecast 575 Mimosa Systems 585 MTI Technology Limited 395 N-Tire Systems Ltd 387 NCE Computer Group (Europe) 555 NetApp 250

STORAGE EXPO:SPECIAL PREVIEW

SAND Technology 260 SANpulse Technologies, Inc. 587 Sanrad 497 Scan-Optics Ltd 529 Seagate Services 170 Skye Consult 590 SmartOptics AS 508

SmartwaysTechnology Ltd 599 SNIA Europe UK Committee 499 SNS Europe 598 Sony United Kingdom Limited 555 SteelEye Technology 520 Storage Associates 120 Storage Magazine 500 Sun Microsystems Ltd 260, 220 Symantec (UK) Ltd 220 Tarmin Technologies Ltd 530 Texas Memory Systems 496 Transmode Systems AB 415 Varonis 525 Vector and Scalar Products Ltd 410 Verari Systems Europe 512 Viglen Ltd. 560 Vizioncore 555 VMWare 555 Waterford Technologies 310 Westek Technology Ltd 400 Westpoint Peripherals Ltd 217 WysDM Software Ltd 312 Xerox Docushare 510 Zycko Ltd 475 GSM:052.21

TITLE: Complete Idiot's Guide to Knowledge Management AUTHOR: Melissie Clemmens Rumizen Ph.D. PUBLISHER: Alpha Press YEAR: 2002 EDITION: 1 ISBN: 0-02-864177-9 PAGES: 316 ILLUS.: Graphics only WEB: www.idiotsguides.com

_______________________________ J

f REVIEW: Although the term knowledge manage­ ment only seems to have really come to the fore in the last few years, it is surpris­ ing that much of what Ms Rumizen wrote about in 2002 is still relevant today.

Everybody who has read an Idiot's Guide will know what to expect from the format and the content. Alpha do not disappoint, with a wide variety of information, valid debate, sound advice and pointers for the way ahead. Whether you are reading the book to find out more about KM, or if you have been tasked with planning and imple­ menting a strategy within your own organ­ isation, this book is great starting point.

V________________________

"What people know, and how they use what they know • is what makes an organization succeed or fail."

N part, to fit what is said into their own organ­ isational circumstances.

Effectively it is not a template for a KM system, but all of the building blocks are there for you in the text. ■

Guiding you through all aspects of imple­ menting a KM system, Melissie writes ^GS EDITORS VIEW about pilot projects, provides pointers and Although the author provides generic common approaches used, stresses the im­ advice throughout, specific mention is portance of information technology in rela­ made of technology such as collaborat­ tion to KM, and in general provides a refer­ ive tools. As such technologies have ence from which to 'build your own'. changed considerably since 2002 (i.e. with the introduction of social network­ An important aspect of what is said is that ing tools, SharePoint etc.) perhaps it's all systems are different, and as this is a time for a revised edition. All in all guide in the true sense of the word, a little though, a good informative read. imagination will be needed on the readers ^RATING: © © © © © 4 /5 80%

TITLE: Complete Idiot's Guide to Project Management AUTHOR: G. Michael Campbell, PMP, and Sunny Baker, Ph.D. [No relation! Exec. Ed.] PUBLISHER: Alpha Press YEAR: 2007 EDITION: 4 ISBN: 978-1-59257-598-5 PAGES: 394 ILLUS.: Graphics only WEB: www.idiotsguides.com ^REVIEW: One of the good things about project man­ agement, is that the principals have changed little since the Pharoahs set about building the pyramids.

As always with an Idiot's Guide, the reader has a solid and trusted format to work with. Michael and Sunny's approach is to inform, teach and warn.

"It may the most important pro­ fessional development you do all year."

There are many possible and widely differ­ ing approaches to PM, and many methodoligies used to support them. This book, which is now in its 4th edition, sets about to de-mystify and inform on all aspects of the plate-spinning exercise that PM can often be. An exercise which can easily become as frustrating, as it can be reward­ ing.

Taking you through the trials and tribula­ tions of project management is one aspect of the book, but the sound advice on setting about how to create the focus, struc­ Both writers draw on their own consider­ ture, communication and control required able personal experience in PM, and as to make even the smallest of projects a suc­ they are from different backgrounds, the cess, is worth its weight in gold.

book presents a well balanced perspective on what to do. (And what NOT to do!)

So often we hear of badly managed pro­ jects running late or cancelled. Don't let it be you - read this book! ■ /■ ' \ GS EDITORS VIEW ] Few business processes are as wide ranging and a critical as project man­ agement. Presented in a clear and easy to read fashion as the Guides normally are, some of us will wish we had this book available years ago. A great in­ formative read, with info within which might surprise even the most seasoned of project managers.

RATING: © © © © © 4 /5 80% v ■■ — V

J

Scanstation software as any reprocessing of the data is carried out on the raw greyscale source data. This allows imaging parameters to be manipulated any number of times Embracing the Wicks and Wilson philosophy without ever compromising the raw greyscale of 'easier', 'simpler' and 'better', we like to think that users and engineers alike will appre­ source data from the original scan. ciate what we have achieved with this ma­ The 8850 also works with the new Virtual chine.

ScanStation software. (See below.) More indepth information on the 8850 is overleaf.

In developing the 8850 we soon realised that our existing “SmartScan” image processing board, whilst still delivering excellent results on our slower scanners, did not offer the leap in performance we were looking for. What .... And still going strong! Wicks and Wilson was required was a radical solution. are now a major microfilm scanner manfacturer with a string of own-brand products to Inspired by the success of our “Smartcode” their name. image processing algorithm, as used on the C-Series Aperture Card Scanstations, a With bright and innovative staff designing decision was made to rethink how we capture ground-breaking scanning equipment for the and process images when scanning film. industry, that success is set to continue for years to come.

New Rollfilm Scanner

30 Years Plus ....

By listening to what our customers say about the products, and via a feedback loop of in­ novation and change management, we aim to stay ahead of the game by providing what the microfilm scanning industry needs.

The solution came not from existing microfilm scanning technology but from the computer games industry. By utilising the processing power of the latest generation of computer graphics cards our software engineers who were responsible for our innovative range of 3D capture products, designed a completely new image processing algorithm especially for microfilm images.

Several key features have been incorporated in to the 8850 SCANFILM software. Firstly there is an “auto white balance” control which tracks the changes in film density and adjusts the greyscale imaging parameters accordingly, this helps to achieve consistent results throughout a whole roll of film.

Secondly we have introduced a speed control mechanism that automatically monitors and adjusts the scanner speed, matching the controller PCs ability to accept and process data. This means that if the process queue starts to build, the 8850 scanner simply slows down allowing the files to be processed and the PC to catch up without ever having to stop the 8850 scanner.

Processing the raw video data directly from the camera also has benefits for our Virtual

INTRODUCING: A New Way To Scan Rollfilm If you have ever tried to quality control and scan a job at the same time, you will appreci­ ate the difficulties involved. The new Wicks and Wilson Virtual ScanStation Software elim­ inates bottle-necks caused by quality control and scanning having to be performed on the same machine.

The principal is simple! When you scan the microfilm, our system captures the entire con­ tent of the film and not just the frames. This al­ lows subsequent offline QC, and the operator can review, amend, crop, alter thresholds and otherwise change the images before commit­ ting to your chosen file format.

As the data is held in secure sets, you can choose to move the job around your network and optimise the flow of work. Further options for file naming and other settings all add to the flexibility of the Virtual ScanStation.

With licensing arrangements to suit all types of organisations, this software is set to in­ crease productivity by removing QC from the computer with the scanner attached.

PRODUCT BRIEFING ROLLFILM SCANNING The Wicks and Wilson range of rollfilm scanners are fully featured scanning systems which will scan both 16 and 35mm roll film, simplex or duplex, positive or negative, bitonal or greyscale.

Each one of the four Scanstations has its own individual performance characteristics, however, they all have one common theme, ease of use, reliability, high productivity and the ultimate in image quality.

MICROFICHE SCANNING Microfiche come in many different formats from the normal sheet film to Jackets, AB Dick fiche, COM, 16 and 35mm combination jackets, silver or diazo, negative or positive.

Producing superior quality images from the various formats requires a batch scanner that is both productive and flexible that uses the most advanced software and the latest imaging technology.

Even if you have the poorest quality microfiche, our fiche carrier fed mechanism will protect your fiche all the way through the process.

APERTURE CARD SCANNING Each Wicks and Wilson aperture card scanner has its own individual performance characteristics. Whether you need to scan one card a day from your CAD system to produce a paper plot, or if you have a requirement to digitise an entire aperture card archive, there is a Wicks and Wilson Scanstation to suit your requirements.

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

The Wicks and Wilson 8850 is our flagship scanner. It scans both 16mm and 35mm rollfilm, and it incorporates the

performed with ease from the scanners own software. Using a technique where the light is passed through 'holographic

"... an easier, simpler, better way to scan ..." very latest electronics, materials and optical technology available. Each element of the scanner has been reviewed, analysed and (where possible) updated by our engineers to bring you the best in scanning technology.

The film transport mechanism has been improved to absolutely minimise contact with the film. The illumination system has

easier also been re-engineered to provide the most even light reaching the film. This even lighting assists with scan quality, and makes poor quality microfilm rolls much easier to set up for scanning.

On the subject of setup: It is worth mentioning here that we have eliminated the need for an engineer to calibrate the lighting system. This can now be

diffusers', as well as incorporating stateof-the-art electronics to control the lamp position, this combines to take the 8850 ahead of its time and assure the best scan quality each time a film is scanned.

Operating in conjunction either with it's own included software, or with the extremely powerful and versatile Virtual ScanStation software, the 8850 provides a simpler easier better way to scan. This, combined with the speed, functionality and accuracy of scanning is what you would expect from Wicks and Wilson.

By looking so closely at each step involved in the entire scan process from start to finish, and by having incorporated

sim pler the very latest electronics and best materials, this in turn leads to reliability, ease of installation and setup, ease of

essential maintenance, and when required, ease of analysis. For this reason, the process of diagnosis and the remedy of faults, is unprecedented.

As an investment, the 8850 represents a reliable source of income for bureaus and a solid commercial proposition for inhouse users. With its speed of throughput, the ROI on the 8850 is sub­ stantially increased in terms of both equipment and staff time.

When the QC operation is taken away from the 8850 by utilising the Wicks and Wilson Virtual ScanStation software, the 8850 really does come into its own.

When dedicated to scanning at 200dpi,

better throughput reaching 325 16mm frames perminute can be acheived. At this setting, an entire 100 foot film can be scanned in less than 25 minutes.

As the 8850 also scans 35mm rollfilm, this further enhances the potential for becoming a true work-horse in any situ­ ation where there is a large microfilm re­ pository or a need for scan-on-demand.

W ic k s a n d W ils o n L im ite d Electronic Imaging and Micrographics 7 X

i | D

8

I One of the most crucial aspects of any ÂŽ scan operation is that of QC (Quality Control). The requirement varies from client to client and job to job, but the most frustrating part is that normally, to perform QC successfully, you need access to the scanner you created the images fro m ......

Other options include the ability to lock the data files for security, to move them around a network (as you might do in a workflow situation). With a comprehensive set of tools covering all of the standard QC steps you might need to take to correct skewed or incorrectly

oriented documents, brightness and contrast problems, the Virtual ScanStation offers a cost effective route to achieving top quality, whilst significantly improving the ROI (return on investment) on hardware.

UNTIL NOW! The Wicks and Wilson Virtual ScanStation allows you to do several things which all assist with the QC process. Apart from allowing remote PConly QC work to take place, it also broadens the scope for greater control over the entire process, as well as allowing opportunities to make the process more secure.

It all starts with which scan mode you use. For example in the Wicks and Wilson 8850 Scanfilm software, there is a Virtual ScanStation mode. This allows capture of the entire length of rollfilm scanned. The advantage from the quality perspective is that you can crop, change settings, group frames (and separate them if the scanner originally thought they were one and the same document page,) all at your leisure and without tying up the microfilm scanner while doing so.

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A typ ical V S S application w here new spaper microfilm is being checked. Notice som e of the fram e have indicators showing which fram es have been changed.

W icks and W ilson Limited Electronic Imaging and Micrographics

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Worldwide Appeal

Key to the success of any manufacturing operation is its ability to serve customers and resellers alike. Wicks and Wilson are no exception, and are extremely proud of the wide range of countries covered, and of the level of support they are able to provide their dealer network.

With so many dealers, distrib­ utors and VAR’s selling and maintaining Wicks and Wilson products and software around the globe, it takes a small team of dedicated support staff to manage the network.

The dealer support team, based at our HQ in Basings­ toke, England, are on hand to provide exactly what it takes to ensure that queries are answered, technical issues re­ solved and of course sales support is given to all who need it.

The fact that Wicks and Wilson and their products and software are exported to over 50 countries, is testimony to the fact that these days - the world really is a lot smaller.

With a world beating range of products and software, and a world beating team to back up international sales and sup­ port, Wicks and Wilson really do strive to make things ....

easier simpler better

Rollfilm Aperture Cards

The Wicks and Wilson range of high volume production scanners for digitising roll microfilm combines speed, image quality and simple-touse software interface providing a powerful scanning tool to meet the demands of production digital conversion.

Aperture cards have been around for almost as long as computers. The original format was an 80 column punch card format which was used to program early computers.

The 8850 rollfilm scanner caters for both 16mm and 35mm film. With ease of use and speed of throughput key to its design and build philosophy, our flagship scanner will provide top quality results easier simpler and better.

With so many drawings captured on to aperture card, our single-shot and batch scanners are still as popular as ever. With additional equipment covering duplication and plotting, the range cov­ ers all aspects of aperture card use.

Other models comprise the RS100, RS150 and RS200. The scan quality for these machines ranges from 100 to 600dpi and throughput at 200dpi goes from 65 to 180 frames per minute.

The simplest scanner is the C-Drive X model, which allows a single card to be scanned with ease. Top of the range is the CS750 which can scan a massive 750 cards per hour.

Fiche The FS-Series from Wicks and Wilson is a range of high volume production scanners for digitising microfiche. The versatile and flexible scanners can be easily configured to automatically capture all formats of microfiche.

There are two scanners in the range, the FS150 and FS300. Capable of scanning at up to 600dpi, microfilm frames can be captured at rates from 39 to 179 per minute depending on whether it is a jacket, fiche or COM fiche.

'Wicks and Wilson are the only company to design and manufacture the entire range of performance microfilm scanners for all microfilm types, rollfilm, fiche and aperture cards: Wicks and Wilson also manufacture the entire range of microfilm cards and related consumables. Please contact us for a quotation

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 Wicks and Wilson Limited pursues a policy of continuous product improvement and reserves the right to change these specifications without notice.

All W icks and W ilson products are distributed worldwide. For details of your nearest distributor please visit our website.

GSM Document Scanner Guide (Up To A3)

D D D D D D

nr

fi-5530C2 ti-5650C fi-5750C fi-5900C fi-6000NS fi-6130 fi-6140 fi-6230 fi-6240 ScanSnap S300 ScanSnap S510

D D D D D D D D D D D "S' IT TT

Scanjet 5590 Scanjet 7650 Scanjet 8470

IB ML

Im ageTrac III Im ageTrac IV Scam ax H 0 4 i30 •40 i55 i65 il 50 1160 i250 i260

1280 ieio 1620

D D D S s S D S D S

D D S S

A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A3 A3 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A3 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3

+C +C +C +C +C +C +C +C BW + C BW + C

BW BW BW BW BW BW BW BW

BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW+C BW+C BW +C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW BW + C

USB 2 USB 2 SCSI 2, USB SCSI 2, USB SCSI 2, USB SCSI 2, USB SCSI 2, USB SCSI 2, USB Network USB 2 SCSI 2, USB USB 2 SCSI 2, USB USB 2 USB 2

2 2 2 2 2 2

2 2

USB 2 USB 2 USB 2, SCSI

Yes Yes Yes

Network Network SCSI USB 2 USB 2 USB 2, SCSI 2 USB 2, SCSI 2 Firewire Firewire Firewire Fi rewire Firewire Firewire Firewire

No No No No No Yes Yes No No Opt Opt Opt No No

600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 2400 2400 60 S ” 600 600 400 600 600 600 600 300 300 300 300 300 300 300

15 15 25 25 35 55 55 100 25 40 60 40 60 8 18 8 .5 10 “ 55“ 240 264 230 25 25 32 32 40 40 50 50 62 80 80

50 100 100 550 260 150 240 280 112 112 42 76 13 85 40 38 50 50 50 84 100 36 150 180 200 52 27 16 30 80 120 15 30 50 50 70 110 110 200 50 80 120 80 120 16 36 “ 5E T 480 528 460 50 20 80 • 100 124 ???

18 18 35 35 20 25 50 50 50 50 550 260 75 90 140 67 67 10 19 18 42 12 13 7 25 13 13 42 50 70 N/A 50 100 16 12 11 10 15 15 16 60 15 15 25 25 35 55 55 100 25 30 40 30 40 4 18 8 .5 10 “ 55“ 240 264 230 20 20 20 20 40 40 50 50 62 N/A 80

GSM Tested (Issue)

D D D D D D D D D S D IT D

H-5220C

Hewlett Packard

InoTec Kodak

D

36 70

Colour Duplex Speed IPM

Fujitsu

D D S D D

18 18 35 35 20 24 50 50 50 50 550 260 75 120 140 67 67 23 43 38 42 12 20 20 25 25 25 42 50 70 75 90 100 26 18 27 16 23 30 40 60

Colour Sim plex Speed IPM

Epson

D

600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 6S 0 300 400 400 400 600 600 600 600 600 300 600 600 600 600 600 300 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 1200 600 600 600 800 600

BW Duplex Speed IPM

Canon

TT D D D D D D

50 2500 50 2500 50 3000 50 3000 50 1000 50 2500 50 3500 3500 50 50 5000 100 5000 506 U n lim ited U n lim ited 500 500 60000 500 60000 60000 500 200 10000 10000 200 120 4000 120 4000 50 1000 100 35 400 50 1500 50 700 50 1500 50 1000 100 4500 100 5000 100 6000 6000 100 10000 500 500 10000 500 60000 50 1000 40 50 100 100 100 100 4000 500 20000 being collated 50 250 50 500 50 2000 50 2000 100 2500 200 8000 8000 200 500 100000 50 50 2000 50 5000 50 2000 50 5000 10 250 50 250 50 50 50 1000 Unlimited Unlimited 1000 450 50 1000 1000 50 1200 75 1500 75 150 3000 150 3000 5000 150 150 5000 150 7500 500 80000 80000 500

BW Sim plex Speed IPM

Spectrum XF 8090D Spectrum XF 8120D Spectrum XF 8140D Truper 3200 Truper 3600 Sidekick 1200 Sidekick 1400U 730DC FB CD-4070NW DR-121OC DR-201 OC DR-2050C DR-251 OC DR-2580C DR-3080C II DR-401 OC DR-501 OC DR-7080C DR-7580 DR-9080C DR-X10C ScanFront 220 GT-1500 GT-2500 & Plus GT-15000 GT-20000 & N Pro GT-30000 fi-4340C fh4860C2 fi-5000N fi-5015C fi-5110C ti-5120C

No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No Opt No No No Yes No Yes No No No Opt No No No Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Data Yes No No Yes No No Yes No No No No Yes Yes No No

Max DPI

B ow e Bell & Howell

Connector USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 SCSI 2, USB 2 SCSI 2, USB 2 SCSI 2, USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 T W A IN T W A IN SCSI 3 SCSI 3 SCSI 3 USB 2.0, SCSI 3 USB 2.0, SCSI 3 USB 2.0, SCSI 3 USB 2.0 SCSI 2/3, Firewire SCSI 3, USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 USB 2 SCSI 3, USB 2 SCSI 3, USB 2 SCSI 3, USB 2 SCSI 2, USB 2 SCSI 3, USB 2 SCSI 3, USB 2 SCSI 3, USB 2 USB 2, Network USB 2 USB 2, Network USB 2, SCSI USB 2, SCSI, NW 2 X SCSI, NW SCSI 2, USB 2 SCSI 2

Duty Cycle

IntelliScan XDS IntelliScan 6000 & 9000

A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A4 A4 A3 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A3 A3 A3 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A3 A4 A3

ADF Cap.

BancTec

S D S D S D S D S D TT

B&W / Colour BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW +C BW +C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C BW + C

Flatbed

AV 121 AV 122 A V210C 2 AV 220 C2 AV 610 C2 AV 3200 SU AV 3750 SU AV 3850 SU AV 8050 U AV 8350

Format

Avision

Duplex

Model

Make

36 70 50 100 100 550 260 150 180 230 104 104 18 34 9 26 12 50 26 26 84 100 36 100 200 32 11 ” ' 11 15 29 120 15 30 50 50 70 110 110 200 50 60 80 60 80 8 36

50 480 528 460 40 40 80 100 124 ???

49

GSM Document Scanner Guide (Up To A3) Continued

Ricoh

Scan-Optics Staude Visioneer

Xerox

s D S S S S D D D S D S D D S D S

s s D S D D D S S D S

All information provided as a guide only. Please contact the suppliers

1 Sht 1 Sht 50 50 1 Sht 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 100 120

4380 4380 10000 10000 8800 1000 1500 1500 1500 * Unlimited 100 100 1000 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 2500 6500 8500

130 32 30 30 60 60 60 60 75 160 200 25 80 12 20 25 40 7 7 41 22 41 41 65 85 60 3 10 20 20 28 25 20 25 8 8 12 25 30 70 5 24 33 38 30 57 70 240 70 100 10 10 20 20 6 15 22 25 33 38 10 20 40 60

CL

t5

<: 260 * 60 120 120 150 320 ~ 400l

50 80 66 72 40 72 72 130 170 100 * 56 50 50 50 46 ' 33 38 30 â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 70 340 200 10 30 50 66 76 80 120

Speed IPM

Plustek

KV-S1025C KV-S2028 KV-S2048C KV-S3105C KW -S4065CL & CW KW -S4085CL & CW KV-S7065C OpticSIim M12 OptiCard 610 OptiB ook 3600 O ptiB ook 4600 M obileO ffice D28 S m artO ffice PS256 S m artO ffice PS281 S m artO ffice PS286 S m artO ffice PL806 S m artO ffice PL812 Sm artO ffice PL1200 S m artO ffice PL2546 Sm artO ffice PL3000 S m artO ffice PL7000 OpticPro A320 OpticPro A360 Aficio IS 200e Aficlo IS 300e Aficio IS 330dc Aficio IS 450se Aficio IS 760d SO Series HQ-C HQ-G Strobe XP220 Strobe XP300 XP450 PDF 9750 PDF R oadW arrior D ocuM ate 152 DocuM ate 250 D ocuM ate 252 D ocuM ate 262 D ocuM ate 2 6 2 1 D ocuM ate 510 D ocuM ate 520 D ocuM ate 632 DocuM ate 752

2000 2000 -

300 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 300 300 600 300 600 600 600 600 2400 4800 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 1200 1200 600 600 600 600 1200 600 1200 1200 1200 600 1600 600 600 600 600 400 600 400 300 400 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600

%

Speed IPM

Panasonic

No Opt Opt Opt Opt Opt No No No No No No No Y es Y es Y es Y es Y es Y es No No No No No No Yes No No Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

o *< o <D 130000 1000 1500 1500 3000 3000 7500 7500 10000 Unlimited Unlimited 1000 -

Speed IPM

Microtek

H Series ArtixScanDi 1210 ArtixScanDI 2010 ArtixScanDI 2020 ArtixScanDI 4020 ScanMaker 590 Pro Scan Maker i700

A3 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A4 A4 A8 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3 A3 A4 A3 A3 A4 A3 A3 A3 A3 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A3

-n O p 500 75 50 50 50 50 150 150 150 500 500 50 1 ,4 0 0 50 50 100 10 0 50 50 100 100 100 1000 300 300 200 1 Sht 1 Card N/A N/A 1 Sht 50 50 50 50 50 80 50 80 80 50 50 200 50 200 1000

i/lax DPI

K le in d ie n s t

D S S D S D S D D D D D D S S S D S S D D D D D D D S S S S D D S D S S

Flatbed

i780 i1120 ScanM ate i1210 11220 il 310 11320 il 410 i1420 i1440 i1840 il 860 Scan Station 100

Format

Model

Duplex

Make

B&W / Connector Colour BW + C Firewire BW SCSI 2 + USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 USB 2 BW + C BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB.2 BW + C USB.2 BW + C USB.2 Firewire BW + C BW + C Firewire BW + C USB 2, Network B W + C -------- 5 C S T 2 BW +C USB 2 BW +C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW +C USB 2 BW+C U S B 2 , F irew ire BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C SCSI, USB 2 USB 2 BW + C BW + C USB 2 BW + C SCSI, USB 2 BW + C USB 1.1 BW + C USB 1.1 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 USB 2 BW BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C Network BW + C Network BW + C SCSI 2, SCSI 3 BW SCSI 2 BW + C SCSI 3. USB.2 BW + C SCSI 3 BW + C SCSI 3.

BW SCSI 3.

BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW + C USB 2 BW USB 2

130 25 30 30 30 30 30 30 75 160 200 20 80 8 10 10 26 3 5 18 9 18 18 65 85 60 3 N/ 20 20 28 25 20 25 8 N/A 12 25 30 70 5 24 17 11 10 57 38 240 90 N/A 10 4 20 20 6 15 25 33 37 10 20 40

260 ???

60 60 ' 60 150 320 400 40 80 33 32 16 32 32 130 170 100 * * 56 50 50 50 - ; 46 17 11 10 38 180 4 30 50 66 71 80

manufacturers to verify data.

SPECIAL NOTICE The Document and Microfilm Scanner Guides will continue as normal when the Green Sheet magazine title becomes IDMi (Information and Document Management international) in January.

</> </> c <T>

GSM Microfilm Scanner Guide

USB 2

1170 1060 665

50

TIFF, PDF

17 images/min

600 dpi

305 X 305

USB

558

432

508

16

35mm roil and ap cards.

Sc an Pro 1000

16 8,35mm roll, ANSI & 3M 7X - 54X zoom Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche 8, Jackets

MS 300 & MS 350

7.7X

16

Manual

TIFF, PDF

17 images/min

600 dpi

305 X 305

USB

558

432

508

Motorised for roll

JPEG, TIFF, PDF

60 images/min

600 dpi

PC

Fire-wire

190

305

406 19.5

16 8,35mm roll, ANSI & 3M 9.5X - 16X, 16Motorised for Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche 32X, 30 - 55X , 10 roll & Jackets - 24X zoom or fixed 7X

10 Images/min

600 dpi

300 X 300

SCSI 2

668

442

541

26

MS 800

16 8,35mm roll, ANSI & 3M 9.5X - 16X, 14X Motorised for Cartridges. Ap cards. Fiche X X , zoom or fixed roll & Jackets 7X

17 Images/min

600 dpi

297 X 420

SCSI 2

760

612

600

47

ImageMouse

Fiche & Jackets

24X & 28X or 42X 8, 48X

Manual

MS Windows

One second

1.3 Megapixels

PC

USB 1

95

260

350

2

ImageMouse Plus

16 & 35mm roll, Ap cards, Fiche & Jackets

24X & 28X or 42X &48X

Motorised for roll

MS Windows

One second

1.3 Megapixels

PC

USB 1

200

630

350 8.75

ABR 2400 DSV-E

16 8,35mm roll, ANSI & 3M 9X - 16X, 13X Motorised roll Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche 27X or 23X - 50X options & Jackets zoom or fixed 7.5X.

13 images/min

800 dpi

300 X 300

SCSI 2

716

503

821

39

ABR 3000 DSV-E

16 & 35mm roll, ANSI 8, 3M 9X - 16X, 13X Motorised roll Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche 27X o r23X - 50X options & Jackets zoom or fixed 7.5X.

13 images/min

800 dpi

303 X 404

SCSI 2

853

560

760

65

i7300

16mm roll on reds, ANSI or 3M cartridges

Motorised

TIFF, JPEG

2 0 -X images/min

300 dpi

PC

RS 232

330

380

560 29.5

OM 1200 & 1400

16 & 35mm roll

Motorised

TIFF, JPEG, PDF

1 2 0 0 - 150 images/min 1400 - X O images/min

600 dpi

PC

483

279

533

27

OM 1500

Microfiche & Jackets

All standard formats

Motorised

TIFF, CCITT, JPEG

3.3 images/min

600 dpi

483

838

457

59

Polyscan 400

Aperture cards

7.5X - 37X zoom

Motorised

CCITT, TIFF

3.3 images/min

400 dpi

PC

USB 2

650

1000 750

45

Microscan 400

Aperture cards

7.5X - 37X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, JPEG, CALS,

5 images/min

800 dpi

PC

USB 2

255

780

550

20

Scree nScan 100

As reader

As reader

As reader

4.6 images/min

400 dpi

As reader

SCSI 2

290

200

70

3

ScreenScan A3

As reader

As reader

As reader

TIFF G4

6 images/min

400 dpi

As reader

SCSI 2

415

505

66

5.5

Scree nScan 2000

16 & 35mm roll, ANSI & 3M 10X - 24X or 2 2 X Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche X X zoom. & Jackets

Manual or motorised

TIFF G4

6 images/min

400 dpi

420 X 320

SCSI 2

670

540

360

21

ScreenScan 3500

As reader

As reader

As reader

TIFF G4

4.5 images/min

400 dpi

As reader

SCSI 2

325

315

110

3

ScreenScan PC

As reader

As reader

As reader

TIFF G4

8.5 images/min

400 dpi

As reader

SCSI 2

325

315

110

3.2

FlexScan

16 8> 35mm roll, fiche and ackets

7X - 72X

Motorised

TIFF, JPEG, CALS, PDF

Roll 240 images/min Fiche 125 images/min

600 dpi

PC

1 GB net足 work inter足 face

Eclipse 300 & 500

16 & 35mm roll

7X - 72X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, JPEG, CALS, PDF

X O - 300 images/min X O - 500 images/min

600 dpi

PC

1 GB net足 work inter足 face

71.1

48.3 55.9

34

Oce

3050

Aperture cards

5X - X X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS

5.5 images/min

400 dpi

PC

415

715

315

31

Solar

Aperture Card Scanner Aperture cards

Manual

RAW, JPEG

0.5 secs/card

12 megapixels

PC

USB 2

330

260

300

688

368

673 43.5

Nanomach

NextScan

Full frame

Universal Reader/Scanner

16 8,35mm roll, ANSI 8. 3M 7X - 48X zoom Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche 8>Jackets

Manual or motorised

MS Windows XP

PC

USB 2

Speedscan

16 8,35mm roll, fiche, jackets and ap cards

7X - 72X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, JPEG, GIF

PC

USB 2

Wicks & Wilson RS 100 Scanstation

16 or 35mm roll

7.5X - 50X

Motorised

TIFF, CALS

65 images/min

400 dpi

PC

348

440

593

29

RS 150 Scanstation

16 or 35mm roll

7.5X - 50X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS, JPEG, BMP,

120 images/min

400 dpi

PC

348

440

593

29

RS 200 Scanstation

16 or 35mm roll

7.5X - 50X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS, JPEG, BMP,

180 images/min

600 dpi

PC

348

440

593

29

325 images/min

600 dpi

PC

348

440

593

29

SunRise

E&OE

RS 325 Scanstation

16 or 35mm roll

7.5X - 50X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS, JPEG, BMP.

FS 150 Scanstation

-iche 8, jackets

7.5X - 50X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS, JPEG, BMP.

71 images/min

PC

471

570

360

X

FS 300 Scanstation

: iche 8, jackets

7.5X - 50X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS, JPEG, BMP.

178 images/min

400 dpi

PC

471

570

360

X

CS 300 Scanstation

Aperture cards

7.5X - 36X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS

4.2 images/min

400 dpi

PC

430

890

400

40

CS 350 Scanstation

Aperture cards

7.5X - 36X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS

5.4 images'min

400 dpi

PC

451

882

388

40

CS 500 Scanstation

Aperture cards

7.5X - 36X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS

8.3 images'min

400 dpi

PC

451

882

388

40

CS750 Scanstation

Aperture cards

7.5X - X X zoom

Motorised

TIFF, CALS

10.3 images/min

600 dpi

PC

451

882

388

40

C-Drive & C-Drive X

Aperture cards

7.5X - 40X zoom

Manual

TIFF, CALS. PNG, PDF, JPEG, BMP

6 images/min

400

PC

USB

90

1X

200

1.9

C-250

Aperture cards

7.5X - 40X zoom

Manual

TIFF, CALS, PNG, PDF, JPEG,BMP

6 images/min

400

PC

USB

210

170

460

All information provided as a guide only. Contact the suppliers

GSM Tested

None

Manual or motorised

Weight KG

240 Megapixel

Dims MM Depth

16 images/min

Dims MM Width

Scan Pro 500

Dims MM Height

16 8,35mm roll, ANSI & 3M 19X, 24X, 32X, Cartridges. Ap cards, Fiche 36X, 42X, 48X or & Jackets 54X

Microbox

Connector Type

Sc an Pro 200, 300 & 400

Mekel Technology

Screen (mm)

e-lmage Data

Kodak

Max Resolution

A6 to A2 Sheet Film

Eyecom

Scan Speed

Universal

Canon

TIFF, RAW, LZW.JPEG, PDF, BMP

Outpu tFormats

Model

Book2Net

Input Category

Manual

Transport

Film Reduction

Make

48

I58I

manufacturers to verify data.

SPECIAL NOTICE The Document and Microfilm Scanner Guides will continue as normal when the Green Sheet magazine title becomes IDMi (Information and Document Management international) in January.

GSM Microfilm Writer Guide

1

X

ZD o </>

13

w

Speed

a c o

3 Model 6880

fi>

3

n

lG I D Quantor

2

31

31

o'

U)

3

Fiche

| 24X, 42X, 48X, 72X |

o o 3 3

O o o

c o' 3

|

2 4 0 dpi

i2

o

2 ZE 2.

<E‘

g 3 V)

o

3

2 2

</> 2*

£

D o ■O 5

2

a

:r 5 n | O n-line or Off-line 11030 1 1680 1840

O th er Features: Accepts alphanum eric and im age d ata and outputs to fully processed cut fiche. Electronic soft form s outline. 4 international soft fonts in 9 sizes. C R T im aging. Direct positive (green) film.

Options Include: 3 0 0 dpi resolution. Stacker. Du plicator. Collator. P ackager.

i9600 Series

Kodak

16m m roll

24X, 40X

1196

8 5 - 1 7 0 ipm

615

8 1 0 159

O ther Features: Accepts 2 film cassettes for sim ultaneous production of two sets of output with no reduction in speed. T e xt file index can be m erged into an enterprise database.______________________________________________________________________________________ Options Include: Model 96 10 with output speeds of 8 5 ipm at 2 4 X and 200 ipm at 40X . Model 96 20 with output speeds of 170 ipm at 2 4 X and 40 0 ipm at 40X . _________________________________

Microbox

CADMIC

| Aperture C ards|

To fit fram e.

1 2 5 5 ) 1 6 8 0 » |7 0 0 j 3 5 0 |

1 card/min

O ther Features: 500 card hopper. Autom atic density control, O C R and Hollerith indexing. Uses silver halide film as C A D M IC or dry silver film as C A D M IC D R Y C O M . 3 cham ber processing for wet film, thermal processor for dry film.________________________________________ Options Include: Alternative file form ats. Facility to o p erate on-line.

Microbox

Polycom MicroPrinter

35 m m roll

260

4 0 0 dpi

1 , 1 6 or 6 4 im ages per fram e.

350

630

36

O ther Features: Film is recorded by a laser. Indexing in O C R characters at start and end of film, also m achine-readable bar code under fram es with fram e number, length of section, reduction and positioning of im ages.____________________________________________________ Options Include: T IF F 8-bit greyscale or PostScript level 3 file form at input

Model 51

SMA

16 & 35 m m roll V ariable to record A5 to A2 input

LAN interface

6 0 ipm

10 50

1200

90 0

80

O ther Features: A1 im ages can be recorded as 4 fram es. Uses normal ca m era microfilm. 1 , 2 or 3 level retrieval blips. Fram e numbering. Facility to record file nam e below each fram e. Polarity of im ages can be reversed. _______________________ Options Include:

Model 105

SMA

Fiche

1200 2000

2 4 X (9 8 fram e)

9 0 0 180

O ther Features: File formats accepted include T IF F , J P E G , P D F, Doc and XLS. Originals can be up to A1 size. Integral film processor does not require p l u m b i n g . _______________________________________________________ Options Include: Alternative reduction ratios available.

Digi-Fiche

Staude

Fiche

2 4 X (98 fram e)

41 ipm

Netw ork com patible 11 1 0 0

13 20

950

O ther Features: Autom atic batch conversion or selective im age writing. Integral film processor delivers fully processed fiche. Accepts originals up to A3. Fiche are cut from 60m rolls of 105m m width. Records im ages and fiche titles with up to 3 lines of eye legible text.

Options Include: 16 /3 5 m m converter for producing roll output.

Wicks & Wilson

O ther Features

ACO-2

Aperture Cards

3 0 .6 6 X 4 1 .2 8 max im age area

3 5 cards/hr

4 0 0 dpi

Via P C running W indows 98, N T or 2000.

650

12 80

5 3 0 105

12 row 8 0 column Hollerith punching, 60 or 80 position printing for indexing. 250 card capacity hopper. Imaging using laser technology. Accepts digital im age d a ta from C A D system or E D M S and plots to fully processed aperture cards.____________

Options Include:

All information provided as a guide only. Contact the suppliers / manufacturers to verify data.

GSM Test Reports & Reviews Category Hardware

Software

Books

Manufacturer, Distributor, Publisher etc.

Wicks and Wilson Canon CubeByte Canon windream Crisp Documents ABBYY MindJet Alpha Press Alpha Press

Item Aperture Card Scanner Scanner Security Lock Microfilm Scanner windream vPDF Fine Reader OCR 8.0 Mind Manager The Idiots Guide To Project Management The Idiots Guide To Knowledge Management

Detail C-Drive X DR-2510C MS 800

8.0

Test Report or Review Review Test Report Review Review Review Review Long Term Test Review Review Review

Iss. 48 49 50 52 48 48 51 52 52 52

Rating (If Applicable) 8.5/10 8/10 10/10 6/10 9/10 8/10 N/A TBA 8/10 8/10

E&OE

REMEMBER: In January, Green Sheet magazine becomes:

IDMi InformaHon and Document M anagem ent international

Scanning Update: P art 3 Continuing the series of articles on document and microfilm scanning and their commercial and archive applications Aside ....

In the Storage Expo Review pages, I have commented on the increasing alignment of various technologies with each other, and cited that as one of the main reasons that Green Sheet will be so prominent at the Storage Expo show in October.

One aspect of IM 'alignment' that always intrigues me, is the resilience of that old lady microfilm, more recently as a serious archive medium. Years ago, industry leaders and pun­ dits correctly predicted a downturn in the [microfilm] industry in favour of digital archive solutions. The ultimate demise of microfilm has not taken place however, and an industry which a few years ago, was branded 'sunset' by many, has now come back into play as a serious contender for long-term archiving.

My guess is that few could have forecast that: a) there are still companies out there who require microfilm as their archive storage medium of choice, and b) there is a definite groundswell of interest in what I would call 'technical microfilm' such as scanning, writing to film from scanned images, and more recently: specialist colour microfilm.

With major international organisations still supporting the industry, and with some of those organisations spending large sums of money on microfilm scanning technology and software solutions, the nip and tuck is complete, the botox injections administered, and the boob-job now finished.

With a new and sexier look, she is once more on the IM catwalk, and I for one, think that she will be around for many years to come.

With data and storage scares aplenty at present, and with film manufacturers citing centuries of archival perman­ ence, the technology independ­ ent microfilm industry has a great future. ■ John Baker Managing Editor, GSM iohnhaker@orRensheetmedia.com

www.greensheetmedia.com

In part 2 we finished by talk­ ing about what constitutes a 'special project'. As we are very tight for space despite running to 48 pages, let's in this issue, simply re-cap where we are, and begin our discussion on 'office docu­ ments'.

Editorial space willing, the Scanning Update articles have/will appear in our is­ sues as follows: Overview (Issues 50+51) Office Documents (52+53) Drawings (54) Microfilm Scanning (54) Microfilm Writing (55) Future Trends (55) We will finish the series with a special article called 'Utopia' which follows a document in detail from creation to de­ struction.

Now What Do You Do?

Having made the decision to scan, you will probably have allocated, or been allocated, (or more likely, fought for,) the scanning budget, but what next? In assessing the costs involved you will already have been in touch with local, or possibly even national companies who can provide a scanning service. In doing this, you may have been exposed to a host of other options and offerings from them which you may or may not need. (There may also be some options which you may not have even heard of.) Where to begin you ask? Let's find out.

stage that the laws for document retention periods vary from country to country, and also by document type.

For this reason we will not make any sweeping statements about retention periods, in case they do not apply.

Citing the UK's circumstances as a simple example, accounts and accounts documentation need to be retained for 7 years.

The quirk here, is in the fact that the need for retrieval of these documents is subject to the law of diminishing returns.

It is unlikely that a purchase invoice more than a year or two old will need to be re­ trieved, but you are still required to keep it for the prescribed retention period.

Research does show however, that when a document which is no longer deemed as 'live' is retrieved, it will be referred to several times, by several

people, within the following three months.] This interesting statistic is one of the key factors in going along a scanon-demand route.

Unless there is a specific storage space problem, there may be no need to scan until there is a need for retrieval and/or inclusion in the document management system which will be used as your repository. Let's assume for this first example, that you do need to scan, and you have estimated a variety of key documents totalling approximately a million pages.

We must stop there, as edit­ orial space is in very short supply. We will continue in Issue 53.

John Baker Managing Editor

By this stage you would, or at least should have, assessed the quantity and type of documents to be scanned.

Most self-respecting capture bureaus can help with this estimating process, but be­ ware of variations in accuracy.

You should also by this stage, have eliminated what you are not going to scan. This de­ cision may have already helped you gain some space by your having been able to purge those document types.

It is worth mentioning at this Scanning Update: Part 3

GSM:052.31

FLEXIB LE SO LUTIO N FOR ‘IN TE LLIG E N T DRTR STORROE “It wasn’t just a price issue, LINPAC demonstrated both flexibility and commitment to getting the job done."....

Simon Kendall, UK MD, Fugro Data Solutions

Fugro Data Solutions is an international company focusing on all aspects of data management with solutions that span intelligent storage, innovative data/technology products and data management.

The company is part of the Fugro group, one of the world’s largest multi­ disciplinary companies in the field of survey, geotechnics and environmental investigations. The company employs more than 12,000 people in over 50 countries.

In the UK experienced Fugro personnel manage data for clients from three dedicated archive storage units in London, Aberdeen and North Wales.

The Challenge The business in North Wales has been expanding rapidly, winning key contracts in the oil and gas sector. The resulting growth rate of 30% a year meant that the company was operating a number of warehouses with locations running along the N. Wales coastline.

To become operationally efficient in Wales it was decided to work from one dedicated site and in 2007 a new, purpose built facility was sourced in Llangefni, Anglesey.

By 2008 a large extension to the warehouse was already required to accommodate the growing stock of valuable oil and gas data. The challenge

for Fugro was to select an appropriate partner to supply the archive racking installation for the 10,500 sq ft facility.

Simon Kendall is the managing director of the UK operation, Fugro Data Solutions, he comments, “We decided to put the storage solution out to tender at an early stage so that the chosen company could work with us on the ideal design of the extension as well as the design of the racking. We believed this was the best way to maximise the cubic capacity of the warehouse, thus minimising our cost per unit."

“Apart from the building, the storage installation was to be our largest procurement and although we have purchased racking before, it seemed to me that we were dealing in a much more competitive landscape than previously.”

manufactured by the company here in Britain, and the LINPAC team were very proactive throughout the whole process. They made sure that everything worked for us from first drawings through to construction and installation.”

The Installation The Solution Following in-depth consultation Fugro selected LINPAC Storage Systems as their chosen partner. Kendall explains his decision, “It wasn’t just a price issue, LINPAC demonstrated both flexibility and commitment to getting the job done. Once we had possession of the building we had deadlines to meet and we were convinced that LINPAC would be able to meet them.

“We weren’t disappointed; the racking is excellent quality,

LINPAC’s bespoke archive solution at Llangefni stores boxes of data to a height of 15m, with up to 18 timber decked shelf levels reaching to the apex of the roof. Hand picking of the data is carried out on a scissor lift from the 3,874 multi dimensional shelves.

The warehouse extension has a total storage volume of 20,256 cubic metres and the data stored is for multi­ nationals who are household names in the oil and gas sector. Fugro offer ‘intelligent’

storage of data; the company doesn’t just store data, it can scan, digitise and process it, uploading the data onto secure internet sites so that customers can access the information across the world.

The Result “We are one of only a few specialist companies in the oil and gas sector, and we believe that we have gained an advantage in the marketplace.” concludes Kendall. “Our new facility and its bespoke storage solution has enabled us to take a major step forward in the size and complexity of our UK op­ eration.”

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Test Report:

M in d je t M in d M a n a g e r Pro 7 Nigel Simpson takes us through the first of several articles which will com­ prise a test report on the Mindjet software offering MindManager As a long time user of Edward de Bono's 'mind-mapping' technique for taking notes, I was somewhat apprehensive about attempting to convey my random thoughts to a PC screen rather than the paper-based note-taking method I have practised for over three decades now.

I need not have concerned myself one jot, and for those readers wondering why a re­ view of this type of software is appearing in this particular magazine, let me enlight­ en you - It is information management al­ beit at its most basic.

Centric to any project is the task list. That is the formal list which defines not only the tasks, but also begins to document the thought processes behind how the job is going to be executed, who is required to work on it and when, what the tasks are, and how much the project will cost.

Personally, I have found the task list to be an invaluable 'brain-dump' as I call it. It al­ lows me to list everything that comes to mind in a random order. It means I don't have to exhaust every possibility for an event or process. I can instead focus on a single item, totally out of context to that which I have written down immediately be­ fore. In other words, I capture the first thought which pops into my head. This ran­ dom access to potential tasks means that I can either follow my thought processes through, or be free to skip about at ran­ dom plucking ideas out of the air as it were. (This also works in a group situ­ ation, where collective thoughts and chains of tasks are easily identified and J documented ready for the formal project * plan.)

‘Your brain doesn’t process in a linear fashion, and neither does Mindjet' everything that follows can equally be ap­ plied to any other business project or situ­ ation where an idea process will help form a plan.

The scenario is simple: We need to move servers for the web site and trade direct­ ory. For the sake of argument, lets as­ sume that the factors which led up to the decision process are all behind us, and we are now faced with the task at hand, and we already have a hosting company in mind. t

Now I have created a number of main tasks to work with, I need to 'connect' them together. This is child's-play, you click+drag or click once to select one of the new boxes, then drag and drop using the mouse. When you drag a new box over an existing one and let go, it automat­ ically links to that box. The hierarchy is in­ tuitive, with 'parents' and 'children', and then there are what I suppose you can call 'grand-children'.

Lets imagine we now have all of the 'task' items for the project. At this point we can add meat to the bones, and this is where MM is extremely clever. Using pre-defined 'topics' from a visual menu on the right, you can add a variety of things to your map. For example if a task required days of the week, a couple of clicks gets you th is ....

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Typically you would start a project of this type with a list of 'To Do's'. Using Mind Man­ ager is a great place to begin.

Weekdays Backup

Thursday Friday

Web Migrate

The software is a 80Mb downloa a standard Windows (or Mac) insi started, there is a main screen with" single block of text in the centre idei j Capturing the data for the project plan at entral Topic. The text is easily this stage is very important. Working to StiQed using standard Windows pre-defined rules, parameters, or even pre5 ^ l i t y . (Swipe with the mouse or Ctrl-K conceived ideas is not necessarily condu­ All text then key in the new name, cive to lateral thought. Yes, I would also this tfitte I called it New Server. agree that a medial thought process is also required - but save that for the group After only a few minutes, the server project elements of, or the formal execution of the project plan. At this stage we really are grabbing ideas. (Even if they are sub­ sequently dropped, they are still useful to have at this stage.)

In case you are not familiar with all of this, but think that you might well benefit from using a tool such as MindManager, let me take you through a real-life scenario relev­ ant to Green Sheet. Bear in mind that

To start a new ’idea', you can either double-click the screen and it comes up with a new box called Main Topic, or you can use a text input box for rapid creation of a bunch of boxes ready to be linked to­ gether. (The double-click m&thod gives you a pre-linked box. The text box input method gives you boxes which are not linked.)

A s you can see it is easy to set up, intuit­ ive to use, and over the next few issues we will prove how flexible, and versatile the software is.

As the Mindjet web site states, "Your brain doesn't process in a linear fashion, and neither does Mindjet!" m NS Backup

looks like this .

NEW SERVER

Export Data Update Scripts Directory

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Backup Migrate Change DNS Settings

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Test Go-Live

GSM:052.34

Test Report: MindManager Pro 7.0

www.greensheetmedia.com

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SNIPPITS

Digital Signature Healthcare Solution for South Carolina Department of Mental Health CoSign® digital signature solution has been implemented by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH). With help from the leading digital signature (standard electronic signature )company, ARX (Algorithmic Research), the comprehensive mental healthcare provider is advancing medical processes by moving toward a paperless office.

In Focus: Healthcare

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More than 9,500 forms are generated to document the hundreds of medical procedures that are being performed each day throughout the 17 SCDMH medical facilities. These forms require signatures from both the healthcare professionals and their patients. Previous to

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the deployment of CoSign's digital signature solution, each form was printed out and signed by hand. As such, the SCDMH workflow was paper heavy and required the physical archiving of hundreds of thousands of documents each year. The processes' extensive costs in paper and time led the organization to implement an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system and the CoSign's digital signature solution, in order to expedite the workflow and complete their paperless cycle. ■ www.arx.com

HEALTHCARE NEWS WANTED

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Maryhaven Center of Hope Scans for Good

Agfa Healthcare Gets New Executive Vice President for IT

Reputable imaging bureaus across the country offer customers the promise of reliable work and on-time delivery. Few, however, add a feel-good factor that makes outsourcing document conversion seem like an act of public service.

Agfa Healthcare, one of the leading providers of IT-enabled clinical workflow and diagnostic imaging solutions, has announced that it has hired Dr. Volker Wetekam as its new Executive Vice President for its global Healthcare IT division.

Dr. Wetekam will head up an operation of around 3.000 staff members and report directly to Christian Reinaudo, President of Agfa Healthcare. He took up his new position on September 15th, 2008.

Maryhaven Center of Hope’s work center in Yaphank, N.Y., is one such facility. As a nonprofit agency that employs adults with disabilities, and the work center offers document scanning and microfilm conversion facilities to metropolitan area businesses.

The full-service imaging bureau also helps mentally and physically challenged individuals enjoy the benefits of working and earning.

Maryhaven’s work center opened in 1986 as a micrographics-only operation. Customer demand persuaded John Mahoney, director of the production and assembly work centers, to add document scanning to its offerings in 2001. With its acquisition of a BOWE BELL + HOWELL Spectrum 8125 production scanner, the change to the agency’s business processes was almost instantaneous.

Spectrum helped the center realize three to five times the productivity of its micrographic cameras, which gave employees the opportunity to earn more.

Maryhaven pays its employees a fixed fee for every document digitized. While it took a trained employee eight to 12 hours to microfilm a banker’s box full of documents (about 3,000 images), it took him or her only two to three hours to scan the same number of images. This four-fold jump in productivity allowed Maryhaven to increase the center’s profitability and improve its employees' take-home pay.

“Scanning has provided our center with a sustainable means of revenue, and given our staff valuable skills they can employ elsewhere,” said Mr Mahoney. “We expect to add more scanners next year to keep up with the growing demand for our scanning services.”

More about Maryhaven at: www.marvhaven.chsli.org www.bowebellandhowell.com www.greensheetmedia.com

In his new role, Volker Wetekam will define and implement the overall strategic positioning and roadmap for Agfa HealthCare's IT division, which manages both the company's Imaging Informatics and its Enterprise IT business, covering solutions from Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) over Cardiovascular Information Systems (CVIS) to Hospital and Clinical Information Systems (HIS/CIS). He will be responsible for driving the division's overall profitable growth. Dr. Wetekam will also become a permanent member of the Healthcare organization's Executive

In Focus: Healthcare

Committee.

Volker Wetekam has been the Head of Siemens Medical Solutions' Managed Services, Turnkey, eHealth, and Consulting business in Healthcare since October, 2004. Additionally, he has been responsible for the Siemens Medical Solutions Corporate CRM activities in the Healthcare sector. Prior to this position, from September 2003 onward, he headed up the company's global IT Marketing organization out of Philadelphia, USA. Volker Wetekam joined Siemens Medical Solutions in 1994 and has held a number of key positions within the company, including heading up its Consulting & Managed Healthcare Services, and as General Manager of the German Health Services (Imaging & Enterprise IT) organization. Dr. Wetekam holds a post-graduate degree in Computer Sciences from the European Business School in Frankfurt/Main and a PhD from the University of Leipzig, Germany. ■ www.aafa.com GSM:052.35

Test Report:

Fujitsu H a n d y D rive At 500Gb capacity, the new Fujisu Handy Drive seems as if it will be pretty 'handy'. Luke McAlister finds out for us.

Overview With its slim looks and a decent case to put it in when on the go, the Fujitsu Handy Drive appears to be a winner from the time you remove it from its box. Its power is taken off of the USB 2.0 port, which negates the need for a bulky power supply, and with the sleek black drive unit being smaller than a thin paperback, portability should not be an issue. Bear in mind however that if your PC or laptop has limited bus power, you may need to fork out for an external power supply after all.

Set up on my trusty Dell Inspiron 9300 running Win XP Pro and SP 2, the 'installation' was a dawdle.

After connecting the (fairly short USB lead,) Windows and drive spoke to each other in plug-and-play mode. In fact the unit was installed so quickly, it was ready to use before I got the fold-out instructions open. Not many years ago, installing an additional drive would have taken much more time, possibly involved setting master/slave jumpers on the drive body, and probably involved several hours of cursing and swearing before you might (if lucky,) see HANDY500 (E:) appearing in the Windows file explorer program. (Thank you Microsoft, Fujitsu and the inventor of USB.) A quick look at the drives property's showed a respectable 465Gb of free space, which is what I would expect from a 500Gb drive. (The 'lost' gigabytes are taken up by the disk/operating system keeping track of the files.)

The unit weighs in at less than 220 grammes, has a guide price of €229, and a maximum transfer rate of 60Gb a second. The highest capacity 2.5” drive at the time of writing, it is also available in other capacities. Given the price tag though, I doubt any serious user would re­ gret forking out more for such a large ca­ pacity drive.

GSM:052.36

Why Do You Need One? Personally, as a journalist constantly on the move, I am always conscious of what might happen if my laptop dies. Not only would I lose my latest notes, but also draft layouts or articles I have been working on, recent photographs, new emails and other information I have gathered since my laptop left home and the protection of its scheduled backup regime. (Yes I do have a backup regime, and very slick and efficient it is too. You will never see a theatre poster titled

accustomed to. A disk which is much larger than the internal device it is backing up allows incremental, and/or multiple backups in the correct circumstances.

For pure convenience as well, the ability to take a USB drive onto a project site or into a customer, and to be able to transfer project files, images, documents etc. or actually deliver a large drive such as this a a line item deliverable, is a great boost to productivity and security.

(When travelling by air carry it separate to your laptop in hand or hold baggage.)

Is It Fast Enough Put it this way, even if the trasfer rate was lousy (which it isn't,) a backup at any speed is worth its weight in gold. The HandyDrive makes full use of the USB 2.0 interface, and although I can quote the tech-spec here, I thought good old megabytes and file sizes would put the transfer speed more in context for most readers.

'Luke MacAllister, now appearing in Whoops, Where's My Backup'. Been there, done that, paid the price and most importantly - learned the lesson!)

Being a great believer in the adage that insurance is only expensive when you don't have it, l am very picky about backups. It is always a worry when on assignment. You are on the move, which is a physical securty threat to begin with, and you are gathering all types of data all of the time you are working. Short of emailing that data to your host server if you have internet access, or copying it to another part of your hard drive - what can you do?

Fujitsu and others have recognised that external drives require a capacity and transfer rate which rivals or exceeds that of the internal drive(s) the user is Test Report: Fujitsu Handy Drive

The first test I did was a straight copy of 50 files totalling 250Mb. That took 45 seconds, which is 0.9375 of a second for each 5Mb of data. Pretty spectacular, considering that internal-disk to internaldisk transfer took 35 seconds. (Without going through the USB interface of course.)

To me this pretty much means that while * away from home, there would be little or no inconvenience in backing up, even while continuing to work on the PC. To do the drive justice, are hoping Fujitsu will let us use it over the next couple of months and come back to you with even more meaningful facts and figures.

Current rating -10/10. It's small, light, good-looking and capacious. What more could you ask for? ■ LMcA

www.greensheetmedia.com

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Will. w« bvpa, ha vnirrrCallr Wt and at. kavwMfad. Wa Sataaoatnd ttaaSfaiw.a vi ika J»at-u*-.it avl l a t i u t « t t t i ~ Wc o p . a 1 uaaarl tv Padi.kJ K teSta. at Ra.fv.Hl kn-wadnrtva t—iaW o ti^ n If h t » t s-prw «a Aw Vh^tiMN ikit .vat iwl» RvpA-i aktf aaeaaafdi&ad, wv ft. la caaifi;; r-w-4 M i)-Jwy baa A*il« *4d» th.i an k m ahw act daty ia p i i r GOVERNOR harr*f fttiaV-A ,*»««>» Ik* it Mijlx <a«)gk fcnilaor i tv awniea to aanlt ika Aofirohaiiea vl t*w A n »tw sk*» tks qa««tii» ww H KaiJ. Mr. Robert OMfMI to hod k > >Vial, t*U*UC. and tot a in a Steal rairvataj* in lk< Mate ».«, aa aaa.Ulio.., ferfet jL to lo.tt ot Sjontt fot tae doattRW«f■«# tna !a. t a aYONEY GAJ6STTIL babi-tm, Aoat tka Ca*L of 0 ,« ) ;( .*•, AAOtfkcaM It >iU kt Arand U tka HiUa.aj pro I »iN I T iy LOR, Tk* I ' a m & l OSwr c' tV Nr WU af tao in mal IMj ital. inbuy, (iMtiaa.na. i. fv-riVU-Y <ot>,-'ta ik* RURLiC, Rat tka Of* <t oa teC l-fl M.Vfi W at.

M tV OuMoakaarl taa CaSkat (iat'viaj Sa^viMttaataM and Stoia.

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Background & Right: First newspaper ever published in Australia

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| r e a l t o t h e G u a r d c n b^: content over a 4 year period, future on this initiative, making In the fall of 2006, as part of a even more Australian historical and cost effectively no less? collaborative program to locate, The content on every newspaper content available How to ensure that all parts of collect and preserve every newspaper page will be the Program will work online.” newspaper ever published in digitized and have Optical c io in c lu d e th e C iv il a n d M i!tseamlessly and within the Australia, the National Library Character Recognition (OCR) The Solution National Library's timeframe of Australia (National Library) processing applied so that the from scanning of the microfilm, The Library concluded that it initiated the Australian text is searchable. The articles could maximize its return on Newspapers Digitization quality assurance, OCR will also be segmented and processing, storage, and online investment by outsourcing Program (ANDP). See: categorized so that users will many aspects of the program, access? www.nla.aov.au/ndp. The be able to limit and refine including the scanning, but ultimate goal of the Program is searching across news articles, recognized that there were a Stated Rose Holley, Australian to vastly improve access for all display advertising, classified Newspapers Digitization limited number of service Australians to the rich source of advertising and family notices bureaus who could undertake a Program Manager, “We had to Australian documentary history including birth death and project of this magnitude. clearly define all steps of this that newspapers provide. Over marriage notices, which are so Program and choose the best a period of four years the important for genealogical “We required high image provider for each step. If we National Library is working research. resolution plus a robust output closely with the Australian state r o f a i ^ ie S t o r e s a t Sydney, u n t i l fu did not, we would be unable to speed from any scanner that meet our time and budget and territory libraries to digitize Significant issues for the constraints, not to mention we included as part of the and make available program include: how to microfilm conversion solution,” being unable to build into the approximately 3.5 million pages convert such a vast amount of of newspaper content.

FS and Eclipse scanning side by side

The C hallenge The scope of the ANDP is to work with the Australian state and territory libraries to source selected microfilm for out-ofcopyright newspapers for the period 1803 (the date of the first newspaper published in Australia) to 1954. The initial focus is on one major title from each Australian state, including The Sydney Gazette, The Argus and The Courier Mail.

The intention is to also extend the Program to include regional and community titles in the future.

GSM:052.38

Im a a e : R ose H o lle v

Case Study: nextscan Newspaper Project

www.greensheetmedia.com

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stated Rose. “We also needed to capture everything in grayscale, be able to split frames as necessary in the post-processing environment, and ensure that absolutely no images get lost in the scanning process. All of these factors have a huge impact on the outcome of the digitization. If we were able to find a contractor with a scanner and software solution that could meet these very strict specifications, we knew it would help to diminish time spent on QA of scanned images, and it would provide us the best image quality for OCR, to enable full text search of the newspaper images. Ultimately, the right solution would save us much needed time and money."

After careful consideration, the NLA chose W & F Pascoe Ltd., a specialist in the preservation microfilming and conversion of many Australian newspapers, periodicals and manuscripts since 1957.

Employing both the nextScan Eclipse and FlexScan scanners, combined with nextScan’s unique and innovative NextStar software, W & F Pascoe Ltd is able to

This addresses another concern- that there are no scanning bottlenecks, frame jumping issues or lost images.

The Audit and QA feature of the software is very user friendly, and can be employed at various remote workstations.

The nextScan scanners and software allow us to meet the high quality standards that the National Library requires for the success of its newspaper digitization program.”

The Results

quickly and efficiently scan source microfilm for the ANDP in its Sydney office, then transport the scanned images to the National Library in Canberra.

Stated Michael Pascoe, President of W & F Pascoe Ltd., “W & F Pascoe Ltd has found nextScan scanners to be robust, durable and easy to use

By choosing a digitization contractor that uses nextScan technology to perform the digitization process, the National Library has achieved conversion of close to one million newspaper page images. .. l and clean. They have a great scan speed and the NextStar processing software that works in tandem with the nextScan scanners is frequently being developed and enhanced, unlike many other software packages on the market today.

NextStar, because of its unique Ribbon Scanning approach, enables the user to capture a whole roll of film as one image.

Emphasized Rose, “Selecting a digitization contractor that uses high quality nextScan hardware and software has allowed us to achieve our short term goals, and laid the foundation for completion of our long-term goals.” ►

Remote QA work at NLA

Image: Greg Power

—

www.greensheetmedia.com

Case Study: nextscan Newspaper Project

GSM:052.39

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Background & Below: First newspaper ever published in Australia

THE

About the National Library of Australia The National Library of Australia is the country's largest reference library. The 'o te le jo f the Library is to ensure that documentary resources of national significance relating to Australia and the Australian peopld, as well as significant non-Australian library materials, are collected, preserved and made accessible either through the Library itself or through

collaborative arrangements----with other libraries and information providers.

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W ales Advertifer

PUBLISHED BY AUTHO RITY.

Vol. I.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1803.

N um ber 1.

It U hereby ordered,-that ail Advmifcmcnts, Orders, Sec. which ap;>car under the Official Sigaatcre of the Xcc.eiary of t m Onion*, or of any other Officer of Government, properly authorifed to ^ublifh them in the S y d n e y G a c e t t r , a n d Naw S o u t h W a m s A d v b r t i j s r , are meant, and mud be deemed to convey official and fufficient Notifications, in the fain: Manner at if they were particularly fpecified to anj o n e Individual, or Others, to whom fuch may have a Reference.

■ By Command of His Excellency the Governor and Commanier in Chief, W IL L IA M N E A T E C H A P M A N , Secretary.

By offering a strong national focus and cooperating with others who share common goals, the Library contributes to the continuing vitality of Australia’s culture and heritage. www.nla.aov.au , ] *

Sydney, March jth, 1803. read to the Guard on board the Sup, ly

General Orders.

E P E A T E D Complaints hiving been made of the great lelies fuilained by the jSettlcn at Kawkc.bury, from the vexatious conJuAof the Bo itmen by whom they fend their Grain to Sydney, the following Regula­

About W & F Pascoe Ltd Founded in 1957, W & F Pascoe Pty Ltd of Sydney began as a specialist in the preservation microfilming of Australian newspapers, periodicals and manuscripts.

Initially working with a few newspapers and libraries, W & F Pascoe’s Ltd now works with the majority of major libraries and newspapers in the country.

In the last few years, these various organizations, to include the National and State Libraries and one of the largest newspaper publishers, have expressed the desire to convert this storage medium into digital files that can be made accessible to users online with full-text search. www.pascoe.com.au About nextScan nextScan is a developer of leading edge technology for the micrographics conversion and document management industry. nextScan’s innovative products are designed and built with a simplicity and GSM:052.40

tions are to be obfervod.

Every perfon {ending

T o be dittiibuu'd to fucb Perfuns as the

Hulk.

G o v e r n o r m iy think proper to grant

By Command of His Excellency W . N. C h a p m a n , Sec.

The above 10 include the Civil and M ili­

Government Houfc, Feb. 21,1803.

• "p H E Receiving Granaries at Parramatta and HawkTbury, being filled with Wheat

Per.mi s to, 1000 Gallons. ary Officers at Norfolk Hand.

B ^ Comman I. Sec. W. N. C h a p m a n , Sec. Oovernuicul Hvufe^March 4, 1^03.

which is fpoilir.g, no more can be ta k a In at thofe places until further Ori’ers, e.\ce t

grain

from the

Hawkelbary to Sydney in an open boat, or a

Whalers Iuvcfhneuts lodged in the Pub.ic

boat that is not trufl-wonhy, the Mu gl Urates

Stoics.

are directed to take no notice thereof*

.

Innumerable as the Ob facies were wliich threatened to oppofe our Undertaking, yet

Wheat will continue to be received into

If*on proof i: appears that the Mailer of a

a d d r e s s

in payment for Government Debts, and the

the Stores at Sydney, until fuaher Order*.

we are happy to affirm that they w e r e not infunnounublc, however difficult the talk before us.

Boat n reives more grain than the veflel

Wheat will be ifTued to the Civil, M ili­

ought to take with fafety, the Matter lhall

tary, &c. until further Order*; except to the

I b e utility of a P A P E R in the C O L O N Y ,

m"ke pn.H any quantity he may throw

detachments and labouring pe-ipb at C&.Ue-

a it malt open a fuu.ee o f folid information,

,0 iwboard, or other wife damage, JJ tc the

H ill, Seveo-I lills, and ocher Out Pods, wlio

will, wo ho-ie, be univerfally felt and ac­

..freight of that part, and,

will receive Flour, as they h ive nor the con­

knowledged.

venience of Mills.

of the I n oe*nous and I n t e i i -i o * k t

conviction be­

fore two Magistrate*, forfeit 5I. coth^Orpjutn

By Command, See.

Fund.

Jf it (hall appear to the Maglflrates that

W . N. C h a r m a n , Sec

is

accomplifhed, w*

(hill Cur.fider th it *ve have done oar duty, in 'J 'H E G O V E R N O R

having pnm lr-d

fure a.cre ;hun the quantity pot on board,

Mr. Robert Campliell to land 4 0m Gal­

the Mailer will, on conviction, forfeit 5I. to

lons of Spirits for the dometlic uf •of the In­

the Orphan Fund.

Anim adverfion-Information

our only Putpofr; thit

gr in coming round to Sydney has been .wetted that it might weigh heavier or mea-

W e open no channel to Political Difcu.1lon, or Pe.funal

Government Houfc, Feb. 24, 1803.

We have courted the affidance

an exertion to merit the Approbation j f th e PU BLIC , and to fecure a liberal Patronage to t e SYDNEY G A ZETTE.

habitants, from the Cart!- of G x x i Hope,

T h e Commanding Officer o f tHe

N ew

Scuth Wale* Corps will duett the C o rp o ra l .of rhe Gua-d on boar 1 the Caille of Good ilepe to read <ne General Orders that are

•Or i d u-.r in the Extract: he i - furniihed with, co ihe C orp o ral, and the P uny that fp jjtv e s him j the fjud Oxdrrs arealf j to hr

portion, viz.

For the Ortic rs on the Civil F.fhbli'hment, (including

Surv'iinte-Kuata and Store-

kepei ', 1000 Gallon.-; For Naval and Military ComsuiiEcned Offi­ cer.!, /coo (,aiLns j iju jlt

functionality that aim to increase user production and lower overall cost for scanning film and fiche. nextScan scanners, combined with nextScan’s revolutionary “Ribbon Scanning” software, provide a complete package

JOHN J.AQUiii*, TAYLOR,

it will be divided in the following pro

At the luck of tnc Lr-ncral Hofpital, Sydney, t ^ Ex PEC IT U L L Y acquaints the P U B L IC , t nr in eoitfcqu :icr oft he red uttion that is* I.Tt !v ink«*n place ia the Pric**s of manv Ar:>i !.* ui'.oinmon Cviifumrtion, he n t b**c n • .b,«-d »'• make an Abatement inhia C large?, % u taa all Orders with w akh be m iv I t honour.: Audi he casediUy and pu..tt#eiif

executed.

Li^nfed -Peuple, 100c G dlwus j

that far exceeds the functionality and return on investment when compared with other scanners in the market. nextScan scanners have increased production and lowered cost for customers scanning film and fiche,

Case Study: nextscan Newspaper Project

including MyFamily.com, Preservation Resources, and iArchives. nextScan is privately held and headquartered in Eagle, ID. www.nextscan.com

www.greensheetmedia.com

Conference Report The Society for Imaging Science and Technology held their 5th annual Archiving Conference in Bern, Switzerland from June 24-27 2008. This was particularly interesting as it was the first time that the conference had been held in Europe.

Three main themes ran through the conference, namely “Creating and Managing Digital Collections, Formats and Metadata", “Imaging, Microfilm and Digital Preservation ” and “Economics, Strategies and Projects” .

The conference was presented to, and attended by, mainly Library and Archive organisations with some very influential organisations represented, including the Swiss National Library, BBC, Library of Congress, National Archives of Sweden, Rochester Institute of Technology, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, NARA and Royal Library Denmark. The quality of presentations and technical discussions was very high and thus proved to be a very worthwhile conference for organisations wanting to learn more about the whole digital preservation and storage arena. As an organisation it may prove to become one of the most important alongside AIIM and ARMA. Their web site is at www.imaaina.ora. with details on how to join them.

The number of discussions on microfilm and digital preservation was very healthy, clearly showing the early stages of a revival in the use of microfilm - not only for it's conventional use of storing images but for the new uses of being able to store “bits on film". The Microfilm Workshop Days, held at Ilford's offices on the Monday and Tuesday, were certainly an eye opener as to new uses for microfilm.

These workshops were reinforced by the main conference which had a track specifically dedicated to “Imaging, Microfilm and Digital Archiving".

Two organisations highlighted new developments in digital to colour microfilm technology, Pro Archive from Switzerland www.proarchive.ch and Fraunhofer IPM from Germany www.ipm.fraunhofer.de.

Both of these organisations have developed their own RGB laser writing devices which allow full colour images to be written to full colour 500 year life Ilford film using Red, Green and Blue Lasers.

This provides for a very high quality image, and both can also be used to produce grey scale and conventional black and white microfilm images. Not only did they show the results of colour images written to microfilm but they also

Society for Imaging Science and Technology Regular Green Sheet contributor Paul Negus, attended the recent conference held by the Society in Bern, Switzerland

demonstrated a full colour microfilm scanner in operation, although that is still under development.

The lack of availability of a production colour microfilm scanner has always been a gap in the circle of what can be referred to as the Digital-to-Colour-Microfilm-andback-again industry that is starting to grow. Now the circle is complete, the applications, suppliers and manufacturer’s will start to increase. Another main topic of conversation was “bits to microfilm”. This is where not just digital images are being written to film, but also digital code. (i.e.

Microfilm to be used as a 500 year coded optical archival medium for all data formats including audio and video data.)

The key to both presentations from Daniel Fluck's (Pro Archive) “RGB laser COM system fo r recording digital image data on colour microfilm offers new perspectives fo r long term archiving" and Andreas Hofmann's (Fraunhofer) “DANOK: Long term migration free storage o f Digital Audio Data on Microfilm", was the ability

to make binary data images machine readable on microfilm. This is what they have both achieved. In addition, that binary microfilm must include unambiguous decoding instructions (human readable text alongside machine readable code,) so that in the future, computers and scanners can read the film and retrieve the data back from the binary microfilm. Also, there is the question of error correction codes to cope with scratches and dust on the film. This has been tackled and solved by both.

The Braunschweig Technical Institute, working alongside Fraunhofer in the “Millennium” project, made a presentation entitled “Digital Data Storage on Microfilm - E rror correction and Storage Capacity is­ sues". They looked at three elements that

affect storage space; number of amplitude levels, code rate for error correction, and grid space of the exposure points. The question of cost arose, and surely this must be an expensive storage medium?

'Not so', according to Daniel Fluck. He quoted some figures compiled by the National Archives in Stockholm of $45/GB for 1 bit files and E27/GB for 8 bit files to scan paper documents. The cost to archive these onto colour microfilm would be $10/GB. Based on NARA's cost estimate of $110/GB for digitising image files colour microfilm, copies would cost about 9% of the initial scanning costs. He produced a very interesting graph to compare Total Cost of Ownership on all *----------------------------------------------------------------

media. David Gubler, from the service bureau Gubler Imaging (who are using the first Eternity 105 laser device in active ser­ vice,) also shared some figures. His estimates to store 1Tb of information over 10 years are €159.00 for images on film, €700.00 for bits on film, and €800.00 for conventional digital storage.

Other microfilm centric presentations were: - Hans van Dormolen from the National Library of the Netherlands, “Scanning Preservation Microfilm: Key issues". He described how to get the best OCR results from scanning microfilm. The conclusion was that low contrast microfilms get the best results and are the most reliable.

Also, scans from positive microfilm gets better results than from negative, In the Netherlands they use second generation positive polarity films for scanning.

- A. Amir had a poster presentation entitled “ Towards a channel model for mi­ crofilm” . He described his PEVIAR system that stores digital data as a 2 dimensional raster image on microfilm.

- Joe LaBarca from Eastman Kodak Co. discussed “Image storage and Permanence Considerations in the Long term preservation o f Photographic images - an update and additional considerations" . In his presentation he

discussed the excellent long term life of silver halide film, and made mention of a long term preservation solution that was patented by Eastman Kodak Co. way back in 1996! Using black and white polyester based microfilm, Kodak used three colour separation files written as a luminance channel and red and blue chroma channels. This is all placed within a conventional 35mm frame, along with grey scale calibration and human and machine readable meta data. He also mentioned www.SaveMvMemories.ora. an industry supported site that was launched in 2007.

The hot topic in the Archiving world is Digital Preservation, and for the first time in a while, microfilm is becoming fashionable. An encouraging factor is the number of commercial organisations, research institutes and European grants that are now involved in developing microfilm, and particularly colour microfilm, as the digital preservation medium of choice. Watch this space for the emergence of brand new companies, products and technologies incorporating microfilm technology as the backbone. ■

OITUK in the UK Health Sector

I

V ijay M agon, M anaging Director, O ITU K, explains how Trusts, w orking w ith suppliers, can d e live r tangible benefits by using IT solutions fo r patient data m anagem ent.

Most NHS sites hold patient related data on a variety of different media, for example, paper, microfilm and digital.

Although some areas have introduced bespoke databases following storage and audit, the majority rely on more traditional means.

It is currently very difficult to identify exactly what information may be held on a given patient. Some departments compile their own copy of patients’ records, specific to their department’s needs, with the main objective being having information to hand when it’s required. This practice has resulted in falling standards for the timely filing of patient related documentation in the patient’s acute medical record; increasing risk and leaving patients and clinicians at a disadvantage.

Hospital data systems hold a wealth of patient information, yet data entry is duplicated on a daily basis as secretaries have no facility to directly populate MS Word documents. Using Information Technology (IT) in this area alone would deliver real benefits to secretarial staff and improve data quality.

underlying technology - some 25 trusts use the OITUK software to capture and deliver patient information at the point of care.

A holistic approach to document management Records in the health sector traditionally consist of large paper volumes and a variety of media types.

Departments manage records internally using technologies such as imaging, document management and work flow.

Organisations are now under pressure to provide web-based facilities to allow

external users to gain access to core information systems. Multiple healthcare departments are working with the public to extend healthcare services and streamline operations - but must operate within the laws of the Freedom of Information Act, the Data Protection Act, and The National Archives (TNA) regulations.

OITUK believes that NHS Trusts must adopt a more holistic approach for content management. The core component of all such systems is document management.

The full scope of the C-Cube integrated document and records management suite includes:

• Electronic Document Management • Intemetflntranet/Extranet delivery • Standardised Patient Letter Generation & Management • Web Based Electronic Forms processing • Electronic Records Management • Storage management and archiving

Advances in IT have paved the way to providing a central Electronic Document Management (EDM), delivering measurable benefits in real time. EDM systems facilitate the electronic transfer and storage of documents and ensure high levels of security and audit. EDM is, however, much more than an electronic filing system. OITUK works closely with NHS users to develop and provide integrated solutions that use EDM as the

• Workflow • Content Search & Knowledge Management System • Web Portal-based solutions • COLD/Microfiche handling • XML and HL7 based application integration • Collaboration facilities

Unfortunately, document management is still regarded as a luxury and, in many cases, used as glorified electronic filing of patient records, with little or no return from investments in such systems.

Organisations must demand a more integrated approach - the digital patient record cannot sit in a document management system that remains un­ connected with other patient administration and clinical care systems.

The document is the vehicle for content which must be searchable and integrated with the core hospital systems and practices. Its management has to encompass the document life-cycle which includes day-to-day patient record management (including security), as well as retention and destruction in compliance with TNA guidelines - the integrated, holistic approach.

"Organisations must demand a more integrated approach the digital patient record cannot sit in a document management system that remains un-connected with other patient administration and clinical care systems."

The underlying technology OITUK’s C-Cube solution has underlying EDMS technology. This provides a compound document repository that can be shared among many departments, to unify the document repository and provide access to the Integrated Patient Record.

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Integrated systems now include a mixture of older but proven back-office tools such as imaging and database connectivity facilities. These are coupled with newer web-based portal mechanisms and workflow functionality. The returns from investments are being realised through careful application of this technology to address strategic requirements, rather than using it as a short-term measure to solve paper problems. The technology is not rocketscience, but has evolved gradually as customer demands and web accessibility have increased. It is vital to understand that simply digitising paper records is not enough - the solution must include generation and management of ongoing (electronic) records, in order to minimise dependency on paper. The OITUK C-Cube product suite has mirrored this evolution and now provides a rich capability for handling a broad range of requirements - for patient care and for hospital administration systems.

The key to the hospital solutions, as with all OITUK software, is integration with existing hospital systems. This ensures that the correct information is delivered to the correct place at the correct time.

OITUK is working across the public sector to demonstrate how EDMS can make real and lasting changes to the way information is stored and accessed. In the NHS, 25 Trusts work closely with OITUK to deliver robust, legislation compliant information management systems which act as a hub for vital patient information, and have shown why OITUK is now a market leader in the records management industry.

A secure solution with software longevity The C-Cube products are based on clientserver architecture using vendor independent Structured Query Language (SQL) databases. The products support standard application interface technologies, including XML to ensure that solutions can be readily expanded to use emerging technologies, incorporate future requirements, and allow integration with existing desktop and hospital systems.

These integrated software components from OITUK form a market mature, integrated suite with associated software longevity, an ongoing future development vision and high quality levels of support.

OITUK 13 Diamond Court Opal Drive Fox Milne Milton Keynes MK15 ODU Tel: 01908 677752 Fax: 01908 679444 www.oituk.com

O I T U K

LTD

SEPTEMBER

November 17-18, SPARC Institutional Repositories Meeting Location: Baltimore, MD Organised By: Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition SPARC) For more information visit: www.arl.org

September 18-19, infolreland Location: Dublin, Eire Organised By: AIIM Europe For more information visit: www.infoireland.net

November 19-20, InfoSecurity France + Storage Expo Location: Paris, France Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.reedexpo.com

September 26-28, 1st World Summit on the Knowledge Society Location: Athens, Greece Organised By: Open Research Society For more information visit: www.knowledae-summit.org

DECEMBER

Events ALL in bold are likely to be attended by GS Editors

2008

OCTOBER

December 2-4, Online Information Location: Olympia, London Organised By: Incisive Media For more information visit: www.online-information.co.uk

October 7-9, InfoSecurity Russia Location: Moscow, Russia Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.infosecuritvmoscow.com

December 2-4, IMS (Information Management Solutions) Location: Olympia, London Organised By: Incisive Media For more information visit: www.ims-show.co.uk

October 11-12, 2nd International Conference on Metadata and Semantics Research Location: Corfu, Greece Organised By: Open Research Society For more information visit: www.mtsr.ionio.ar

2009 G reen S he e t b e co m e s ID M i

October 14-15, Softworld Location: Olympia, London, UK Organised By: Incisive Media For more information visit: www.softworld.co.uk

MARCH

October 14-17, 2nd International Symposium on Information Interaction in Context (IliX) Location: London, UK Organised By: British Computer Society, Information Retrieval Specialist Group (IRSG) For more information visit: www.irsa.bcs.ora October 15 - 16th, Documation Location: Olympia, London Now merged with Storage Expo. See entry below.

October 15 - 16th, Storage Expo (incorporating Documation) ► Location: Olympia, London Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.storaae-exDQ.com October 16-18, Streaming Media Europe Location: London, UK Organised By: Information Today, Inc. For more information visit: www.streaminamedia.com October 20-23, ARMA International 53rd Annual Conf. and Expo Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA Organised By: ARMA International For more information visit: www.arma.ora

March 24-25, Business Continuity Expo (UK) Location: Excel, London, UK Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.businesscontinuitvexpo.co.uk March 25-26, Documation France Location: Paris, France Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.documation.com March 25-26, InfoSecurity Belgium Location: Brussels, Belgium Organised By: VNU Exhibitions Europe and Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.infoisecuritv.be March 31 - April 2, AIIM Expo (USA) Location: Philadelphia, USA Organised By: AIIM For more information visit: www.aimexpo.com APRIL

April 28-30, Internet World (UK) Location: Earls Court, London, UK Organised By: United Business Media For more information visit: www.internetworld.co.uk

NOVEMBER November 7-9, InfoSecurity Russia + Storage Expo Russia + Documation Russia Location: Moscow, Russia Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.reedexpo.com

GSM:052.44

March 3-8, CeBIT (Germany) Location: Hanover, Germany Organised By: Deutsche Messe For more information visit: www.cebit.de

April 28-30, InfoSecurity UK Location: Earls Court, London, UK Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.infosec.co.uk

October 23-24, 5th International Conference on Knowledge Management (ICKM2008) Location: Columbus, OH Organised By: American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) For more information visit: www.ickm2008.org

November 12-13, InfoSecurity Netherlands + Storage Expo Location: Utrecht, Holland/Netherlands Organised By: Reed Exhibitions For more information visit: www.reedexpo.com

JANUARY The Green Sheet name changes to IDMi: Information and Docu­ ment Management international. Visit: www.idmi-online.com

MAY TBA, Documation Spain, Madrid, Spain TBA, Storage Expo Spain, Madrid, Spain TBA, Infosecurity Iberia, Madrid, Spain JUNE June 1-5, AIIM Roadshow 2009, Various locations, UK June 10-11, Library Show, NEC, Birmingham, UK TBA, Infosecurity Canada, Toronto, Canada

Diary Dates

www.greensheetmedia.com

Show Time!

REVIEWS infoimagem 2008 Brazil: 9th-11th September The key event for information management in South America, the Sao Paulo show fea­ tured many exhibitors from around the world, and an impressive 12 track confer­ ence program.

Backed by an extensive web site covering all aspects of the industry, and produced in conjunction with AIIM, infoimagem is without doubt an event to be reckoned with.

Attracting top companies from around the world to a location that is not reknowned for being economical to travel to is no mean feat. Credit therefore, to the organisers CENADEM who must have put such a lot of work into the organisation and running of the show.

Previews and reviews of IM related events around the world

on, the actual information management con­ tent in Hanover is roughly equivalent to DMS. Even although CeBIT has re-inven­ ted itself this year, DMS must be seen as the best option between the two events.

PREVIEWS Infolreland Ireland: 18th-19th September For no reason that Green Sheet was able to find out, the show has now moved to being an online only event. [Shame, I was looking forward to visiting the Fair City again. Ed.] The dates have been extended as a result, and the dedicated web site will run on a special website from the 15th of September through to the 14th of November. After that date it will be removed.

IBM were the main sponsors, and several key multi-nationals were also involved. The German windream company was also a part of the 'gold' tier support list.

Although CeBIT is much larger by comparis­

U P T ON

Storage Expo 2008 UK: 15th -16th October Following on from the huge success of the show which GSM attended last year, and which at that time co-hosted Documation 2007, this years event is set to be bigger and better. As Documation has 'merged' with SE, Green Sheet has a media partnering arrangement with Reed's Storage Expo this year. With lines between many areas of IT/ICT and IM becoming more and more blurred, there will be great diversity on show at what must now be THE main event of the year for the UK. See page 14 for GS's special review of the show.

Currently the www.infoireland.net web site ARMA USA: 20th-23rd October The Las Vegas location promises another great ARMA show. The arid desert location offers so much more than just a venue from which to choose from over 100 confer­ ence presentations, or visit over 200 stands.

DMS Germany: 9th-11th September Although at the time of going to press the fig­ ures for this years DMS were not available, according to visitors and exhibitors alike, it was a very succesful event.

Defined by the organisers as 'the' event to attend for all kinds of electronic manage­ ment of documents and information, visitors were not left short-changed. With over 100 presentations in the conference program, and over 400 exhibitors on the show floor, it was an excellent opportunity to visit a show where only content and document manage­ ment is featured.

presentation from Microsoft, Irish casestudies, A IIM user guides and poster downloads, an FAQ help forum, and an Ireland-specific suppliers guide."

For those intent on business only, there are a whole range of special events, full confer­ ence program, presentations, technology sessions, networking events and more.

Sadly, the architectural splendour of Dublin's City Hall will not be an attraction for most of us this year

states, "We've put together the m ost comprehensive selection o f Ireland-specific resources for all things ECM - We have recorded keynote presentations from AIIM reviewing the Irish market, a SharePoint

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Technology When I was just out of school I worked in a shop which sold photographic and optical equipment, as well as performing eye exams and pre­ scribing spectacles. In those days you were taught as much about quality of service as you were about cameras, binoculars and telescopes. The art of demonstration was strong, as was customer interaction. If someone wanted to assess a pair of binoculars, you simply walked out on to the street with them (and the binoculars) and asked them to look in the direction of the town house clock about half a mile away. If someone wanted their new or re­ paired spectacles fitted, you did it in the most professional manner possible. (Summer was always a problem with young ladies in low cut dresses and short skirts a constant distraction, especially as it was the late 60's.) The point I am getting at here is that there was a genuine interaction with customers. A good recipe for repeat sales I found, with customers sometimes waiting up to an hour just to see me personally on some photograph­ ic matter.

Photographic technology raised its profile more and more through the late 60's and early 70's. I recall a major (now defunct) manufacturer had their sales representative visit the shop one day. He was showing off the very latest range-finder camera resplendent with electronic metering and shockproof casing, and a whole range of other knobs and twiddly bits. To prove the point about the unit being shockproof, the salesman leaned over the counter and dropped the camera from about 3 feet. (Mentioning be­ forehand, that he was looking around to ensure none of our customers could see what he was doing.) Needless to say, the camera broke instantly and the poor chap had to make a phone call back to head office for an GS:052.46

emergency replacement so that he could demonstrate it's 'shockproof ability' at the remainder of the shops ha had to call on to complete his regular sales route. This to me proves the point that it is one thing to have such confidence in a product (or service) at the time of sale, and another thing entirely when it comes to demonstrating it. So often we are bombarded with advertising and marketing claims that encourage us to embrace a pro­ duct, only for us to find after pur­ chase and/or delivery of the product (or service,) that it is less than an optimal experience.

I spoke in the last issue about relationship management. The story about the broken camera proves the damage that can be done to a good company reputation when the product does not live up to (albeit extreme,) testing. We are all tested when dealing with customers, clients, peers, underlings, management etc.

Most times we do not know when we have failed to meet up to expectations until it is all too late. Perhaps we should not leave it up to others to assess our performance. Perhaps we need to take a closer look at ourselves, lest we end up like the poor chaps camera - not working!

What's The Point Of Email?

Now at first glance that might seem like a stupid question, but my reason for asking is to remind us all of the invaluable business tool that email is - or at least - can be!

Over the last few years I have noticed an extremely irritating trend. Sometimes when I send emails to people I do not know, and/or who do not know me, and to companies, they remain unanswered! Now call me old fashioned and ignorant if you like, but isn't the point in business communication that it is a TWO WAY THING? Why would I waste my valuable time

writing an email for (say) a request for more information? I'll tell you why - in case you missed the point on your sales or marketing course - it's not just a matter of good manners and common decency, it is because I am interested in your product or service. The LTV (Life Time Value) of a (potential) customer that you ignore when they first approach you is .... £0, €0, $0 ....

ZERO in whatever currency you happen to have in your country!

(look it up you Philistine,) and new fads such as CRM, DAM, SaaS and others1look to be with us for at least another 3 months!

As Jack Nicholson said when playing the part of the President in Mars Attacks, "Why can't we all just - get along?" (Immedi­ ately before the alien shot him that is.)

It would be great if we could

I don't like being ignored at the best of times, but to have a genuine request for information totally ignored before a rapport even gets going, is total ignorance and commercial suicide. And before you say it don't give me the excuses of spam or mail volume. Not inter­ ested. I have the same problems as you - and I deal with it!

In all of the positions, in all of the companies I have worked for, owned, or helped run, my policy was NEVER to ignore a business call, letter, telex (remember them?), or email. I don't do it to you (and YOU know who you are,) so please don't ignore me.

TLA's For those of you living in the outer recesses of the Milky Way, a TLA is a Three Letter Acronym. In the old days ('when I were a lad') as they say in Yorkshire (England), they were called 'abbreviations'. I was brought up on a BBC diet of 'UNESCO', (when U Thant was in charge,) UNCLE where Iliya Kuriakin (sp?) worked, and my taxes were handled by the IR. (The UK's Inland Revenue.)

With all of the information com­ ing at us on a day-to-day basis we need brevity for sure, but can I ask another stupid quest please, why change them?

EDMS has been lumped in with IM, IR is now HMRC, etc., etc. At least NASA still means what NASA means, EDTA is still EDTA

PENultimate

This space intentionaly left blank.

(So you can practice your TLA's.)

standardise on TLA's, and FLA's and any other <insert letter>LA's that come up. And don't, whatever you do - DON'T get me started on 'Redundant TLA’s'. What's that, I hear some of you ask? Well for example an ATM is an 'ATM' and not an 'ATM Machine'. The 'machine' is already in the TLA. Ergo, redundant.

I despair. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and think to myself 'where did we go wrong'.

OK on average we only lived into our 30's back in the Middle Ages, but at least we didn't have a load of marketing bullshit to contend with. (Other than per­ haps a notice to inform us of a bounty for a highwayman, or a pie and pint at Mrs Miggins Hostelry for Travellers. (I wonder if Mrs M ran a customer loyalty card scheme?) Hmmm!

CRUSTY www.greensheetmedia.com

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