Tag: COM

September 17, 2011

Computer Output Microfilm

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

An example of Computer Output Microfilm

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

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

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

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

September 14, 2011

Info About Computer Output Microfilm and COM microfiche

Computer Output Microfilm is the process for transferring data from electronic media stored on computers to 16mm microfilm or microfiche.

What is the machine which creates this? Using lasers and a processor, the data from the PC is copied to microfilm or microfiche. The fiche or film is then developed after it is exposed to light.

Computer Output Microfilm is used a solution for large organizations that want to see a reduction of paper.

It also provides away to preserve records for archival purposes.

Computer Output Microfilm and COM fiche can be converted to digital image via microfiche scanning, a service that Generation Imaging offers.

Digital images save even more space and takes COM systems to the next level, sort to speak.

Converting Computer Output Microfilm to digital image is useful for organizations who need:

computer printouts
reports, such as tax assessment documents, which have many pages
a large distribution of images is required
Images must be transferred or copied

By the way, I know how awkward it sounds to say Computer Output Microfilm and calling it COM fiche (which is similar to saying ATM machine). The correct terms should be Computer Output Microform, but hardly anyone in the industry uses microform (which can be microfiche, microfilm, or aperture cards). It could be why so many people get all three confused.

Anyway, please contact Generation Imaging for a COM microfiche scanning solution. G.I. scans all sorts of analog media, so don’t hesitate to ask us if we can help you in any way.

September 13, 2011

Reselling Microfiche Scanning Services

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 18, 2010

How to Scan Genealogical Records

Converting genealogical microfiche to PDF– it is easier now that in the past to find information about your ancestors. You can locate organizations that collect and provide genealogical information for you to research. However historical records are not always easy to get to. Many historical records and vital records like birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificate, and divorce records, are stored in a non digital format. Contact us for all your needs in converting your genealogical records from their original format to an up-to-date digital format, such as PDF, TIFF, or JPEG.

Most of us like to have more information about our ancestry and to know more about our own history. Building a family tree used to be limited to the information passes down from older relatives. Many people have spend countless number of hours gathering information to build their own family tree. But many times these information was very limited in-spite of their efforts. Companies that offer genealogical records to individuals that are looking for family history are looking for ways to provide more information for you. At Generation Imaging, we are experts at converting all types of microfiche records to digital format. In addition, we can perform OCR and create searchable PDF files. The advantage of a searchable PDF is that you can type a name into the computer, and the system will locate the name on the image for you. At Generation Imaging, we can help automate your genealogical microfiche records system by providing records scanning from your existing hard copy format. Genealogical research institution are becoming increasingly automated.

Contacting us for your microfilm or document conversion needs is easy. Generation Imaging is equipped to quickly and efficiently convert your genealogical records for you. Vital records often require special handling and care to preserve the integrity of old documents. We use the best equipment for the job. Our experience converting different types of microfiche such as 16mm microfiche, 35mm microfiche, step-and-repeat microfiche, microfiche jackets, COM fiche, old microfiche, and rewritable fiche is unmatched.

If you have millions of vital records that need to be digitized, or if you just a few microfiche cards, we can help you decide the best way to digitize the images, and we can provide you with the best options for you historical records.

April 26, 2010

Need to Scan Microfiche (Just One or a Batch?)

Generation Imaging will scan a handful of microfiche for a low cost.

Do you have a genealogical microfiche, a motorcycle manual on step-and-repeat, or accounting COM fiche? Perhaps you have a historical microfiche sheet containing engineering drawings or want to digitize your military records? Whatever the case may be, Generation Imaging can help you view the microfiche images on your computer by converting them into digital images. You have found the place that can scan from one microfiche card up to any amount of microfiche cards. We can scan any quantity of microfiche that you may need scanned. Unlike some bigger corporations who charge $250 minimum fees or simply won’t even scan two fiche from a hobbyist or 20 microfiche from a small business, Generation Imaging is more than happy to assist you.

We recognize that many people will encounter the need to convert their few microfiche. Many companies find it annoying to service someone with only one card because scanning service bureaus do not like to stop production to scan a handful of microfiche cards. Most companies prefer not to bother with very small microfiche scanning jobs. Our most common request is to convert microfiche to PDF or microfiche to TIFF. After you contact Damian or Dan and get your flat rate quote, simply enclose your check to G.I. PARTNERS, LLC with the microfiche.

It makes no difference to Generation Imaging if you have a very small amount of microfiche to scan, as we give all jobs equally high awareness. To our customers, their job is essential. We also make sure that the small microfiche scanning job does not fall to the back of the priority list. Small microfiche scanning jobs are not as profitable as big scanning jobs but we make sure that this fact does not interfere with job priority.

Our priority is customer satisfaction. For this reason we will scan your one or two microfiche cards with great proficiency. Furthermore, we can also index the images we scan if you wish. Regardless of how many microfiche you have, we can provide high service.

A small microfiche conversion job of just a few microfiche cards may need to be processed in a very short amount of time. There are electronic means available to us that will allow delivery of small jobs quickly. This process is easy and can be very secure. Therefore, you don’t have to worry because we will take care of you job.

Give us a call or shoot us an e-mail the next time you need a handful of microfiche to scan. We will scan the microfiche and return your project promptly. Our goal will be your satisfaction. Although we a large capacity company that scans millions microfilm images, we also can take care of a very small microfiche job; this separates us from the rest of the scanning bureaus that throw big money around with Google AdWords. We will take care of your project so fast that you will be thankful you sent it to us.