Tag: Imaging

September 22, 2011

Records Scanning and Old Microfilm Systems

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

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

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

September 8, 2011

Digitize Negatives Could Help The National Archives

The National Archives hold information military service, family information, a personal history questionnaire, affidavits of comrades-in-arms, relatives, neighbors and medical, just to name some. Many of these files are in some form of negative microfilm. To digitize negatives and create digital files from this information will require a microfilm scanning conversion. Why would you want to digitize negatives? Well, by doing so, you can create an digital system that could hols all the information on computers. Organizations like these would like to digitize negatives but have not done so, in many cases, for monetary reasons.

Historians also like to digitize negatives because they spend a great deal of time researching records in libraries and going through books. When we digitize negatives, we create a file that is much more accessible than a hardcopy book. We Like helping historians and other people that like to look for old records, like people looking for ancestor’s information. After we digitize negatives from microfiche cards of microfilm rolls, their work becomes much easier and they appreciate it so much that they let you know about it.

After we digitize negatives, the digital files that are created can be viewed on one computer or multiple computers at the same time, depending on the network setup. Another benefit to digitize negatives is that digital images can be e-mail and shared through the internet just like any other digital picture. This really helps people that are interested in working on the same project but are not in the same location. If you an interest to digitize negatives for your own work, microfilm scanning can really help you.

August 31, 2011

Genealogical Research Aided By Microfilm Scanning

While the vast majority of information now days is digital, an overwhelming amount of historical information still resides on older formats. Microfilm scanning is the process of converting microfilm rolls or microfiche cards to digital formats. Microfilm scanning can be easily achieved by a vendor, but you should make sure the vendor is qualified. To perform an efficient and safe microfilm scanning conversion project, you need to have the right equipment and expertise.

Many people are not aware of the advances in microfilm scanning. I read about people all the time, that needed to look up some information from a library, and they found the information searching through roll of microfilm. If microfilm scanning had been used, the search would have change the entire processes for the better. Since many of these organizations do not make any money and depend on government funding, it is difficult for them to invest in a microfilm scanning project.

Recently, some help from the government has enable many libraries to begin microfilm scanning their rolls of microfilm. The fact that funding is becoming available will make life easier for many of us. Researchers, students, and others will benefit from the end results. Microfilm scanning makes sense and is not expensive. When you weigh the benefits, microfilm scanning is by far a reasonable solution for libraries and other organizations.

April 26, 2010

Looking for a Microfilm Scanning Bureau?

Generation Imaging can handle all types of microfilm conversion, no matter how large or how small. There are many microfilm bureaus out there, so find out the capabilities of a microfilm scanning bureau and how much time they need to accomplish your microfilm scanning project, as well as an upfront cost analysis. Find out significant information that will help you in the process. Be as prepared as you can and ask about all you need to know. Generation Imaging is a scanning bureau that you can partner with to get your projects completed.

There are different types of microfilm but not all microfilm scanning bureaus are capable of dealing with all types of microfilm conversion. A microfilm scanning bureau that has completed comparable jobs to yours may be better prepared to take care of your needs as well. Generation Imaging’s staff has processed thousands of projects. If you know what equipment is needed to perform your microfilm conversion, you can ask if they have those types of resources. Some equipment is better than others and there may be quality differences in the results as well.

Some microfilm scanning bureaus invest in better equipment and upgrade the systems to use the latest scanning technology. Other microfilm scanning bureaus may be using older system less capable of producing top quality microfilm scanning.

Roll film contains identifiers that can help reduce cost during post scanning. This microfilm company can let you know how this information can save you money. Blips are marks besides documents on the microfilm that often represent significant page breaks or document sets. The microfilm scanning bureau should be able to use these marks on the microfilm or microfiche and group the digital records for you. It is vital for the microfilm scanning bureau to have experienced personnel to make full use of these equipment capabilities.

Other types of automated image identification may include Optical Character Recognition or OCR. A microfilm scanning bureau that has all of these tools may be of great help for your microfilm conversion needs. If your microfilm scanning bureau does not have all of the tools required, you will need to find a partner who can. You may be able to achieve better quality and a better price from a scanning company that has all of the advanced tools.

This microfilm scanning bureau will supply you with image processing options that will help your microfilm scanning project become a winner. Ask your microfilm scanning bureau about files types, file formats, and how they may affect the quality of images . A microfilm scanning bureau should present samples for you to confirm the resulting quality and formats, and Generation Imaging does that.