Print reduction through scanning

The adoption of scanning to support business applications and reduce printed output has been growing rapidly over the past few years.  Most organisations include some form of scanning capability within their infrastructure and the trend is moving from just acquiring devices that can scan, to adopting scanning devices that route directly into workflows.  Much of the decision making process for acquiring new scanning technology focuses on how the devices will integrate or adapt the existing workflow and how easy the process will be for users to adopt.

Whilst these factors are key, it is becoming increasingly common for one critical element to be overlooked – namely what file size does the scanning technology produce from the scanned images?  This element is critical to reduce network traffic, storage space and ultimately ensure scanned documents sent via e-mail are able to pass through firewalls.  Experience is demonstrating that many customers assume that all scanning devices are equal in this capability, which unfortunately they are not.  Analysis has further demonstrated that some technologies produce significantly smaller file sizes.  The typical variance in file size was ten times, although in some instances it was up to a staggering 100 times the difference in file size!

The message is really to be careful when comparing scanning technology.  Technical information contained in brochures are not always a true reflection of how the scan device performs.  It is very simple to test this vital element and our trained and experienced team of print experts at Xeretec are happy to help you assess your options and assist in advising you on the best print reduction methods for your workplace.