Tag: Generation Imaging

February 14, 2011

Microfiche Scanning- How To Scan Microfiche

Microfiche scanning is the process of converting microfiche to digital images. Scanning microfiche and microfilm scanning are two of Generation Imaging’s main specialties- from quality to price, and to fun. As you could imagine, G.I. gets a lot of questions from callers and e-mails from potential clients that are new to the world of digital conversions. Also, many industries and organizations use different terminologies, so let me clear up some things up:

The difference between microfilm and microfiche is that fiche contain small images on flat sheets. Microfilm is roll film, usually spooled on a 16mm or 35mm or inside a Kodak or 3M cartridge. It gets kind of confusing for some people trying to identify media when they see cut strips of roll film inside clear plastic jackets. But the strong definition is that microfiche is contained on transparent flat sheets (around 4 inches x 6 inches, or 105 x 148 mm).

I used the word transparent for a reason; an image on an opaque sheet (like cardboard or index card) will only work if the material is has a cut-out rectangle. In that case, the “microfiche” is really an aperture card (an old PC card). The aperture card usually has a 35mm drawing, blueprint, or map in the cut-out. There are other scenarios where 16mm strips were cut and pasted in the rectangular cut-off. Either way, Generation Imaging can convert aperture cards to digital image.

There are a few different types of microfiche:

Jacketed microfiche (aka jacket fiche, jackets, jacket microfiche, microfiche jackets, jacketed microfilm sheets) generally contain around 5 rows of cut 16mm microfilm strips. However, 35mm jacketed microfiche have around up to 3 rows. Jacket fiche are perhaps the most varied type of microfiche: some only have a few frames on them, while others have around 60-90 images. Some jackets may contain unusual records, such as EKG, old school dot matrix computer printouts, or earthquake seismographs.

Jacket fiche can be duplicated, which ads to some people’s confusion when identifying microfiche. A diazo microfiche would not have physical sleeves anymore; instead you may see horizontal lines for each row.

digitize microfiche

COM microfiche have been around for a long time. COM = Computer Output Media. These microfiche are computer generated and usually line up perfectly, in addition to having rows/columns or 16 x 13 or 18 x 15. Occasionally, not all the frames are filled with data, so there are blank spaces instead of a packed microfiche. COM fiche usually contain accounting records.

Step-and-repeat microfiche were created with a special camera (also called 105mm film). They are more straight and even than jacket fiche. These microfiche have a varied image count, I’ve seen some have 100-300 images. They mostly contain manuals: airplanes, motorcycles, automobiles, jetski’s, scientific notebooks, etc.

Other rare types of microfiche include ultrafiche (350-500+ tiny images) and rewritable microfiche, sometimes called Microx or AB Dick microfiche.

Microfiche Scanning

Where Generation Imaging comes in is that G.I. Partners, LLC can convert microfiche to digital images, such as TIFF, PDF, or JPEG at a very low price. Microfiche scanning with NextScan scanners is a specialty of G.I. G.I. also has years of experience with microfiche scanning using Sunrise, Mekel, and Wicks & Wilson microfiche scanners, and has handled all types of microfiche scanning projects.

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.

March 24, 2010

Microfilm Scanning Bureau

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 11, 2010

SEO Services

G.I. Partners, LLC SEO

G.I. Partners, LLC of Florida offers SEO services for clients. If you are not pleased with your organization’s search engine ranking, we offer solutions to get your ranked high in various search engines, such as Google, Yahoo Bing, and others.

Generation Imaging selects its internet marketing clients very carefully, as we invest a lot of time and effort to get you ranked on Page 1 on Google. We believe in devoting our focus on full blown Internet Marketing campaigns, including but not limited to: niche keyword research, directory submissions, blogging, RSS feeds, building backlinks, videos, social bookmarking, social networking such as Twitter, article writing and submissions, press releases, website optimization and giving you the statistics to show our progress.

Regardless of your industry, you need a Web 2.0 online presence to increase visibility, which in turn increases your client bases, which leads to sales. We understand that there are still some business owners who don’t believe SEO can help them, but time and time again we have seen how exposure helps all businesses, as long as it is focused to the right target demographic.

References available upon request.

March 9, 2010

Trusting a Microfilm Scanning Company

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Co-Founders of Generation Imaging

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

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