http://www.mesltd.ca - Microfilm scanners are used to convert documents stored on microfilm to digital formats.
To preserve the vast amount of information contained in documents, microfilm and microfiche were the only viable
solutions for many years. However, when the world started going digital, this media was viewed as archaic. Take a
look at this presentation by Kevin D'Arcy, VP of Sales and Marketing for MES Hybrid Document Systems, Ontario's
leading document scanning and document management supplier.
2. • Microfilm scanners are used to turn microfilm
archives into digital formats. Microfilm and
microfiche were the main storage media for
decades. Since the 1970s, libraries, law firms,
government agencies, museums and other
institutions used this media to archive
material in a more efficient manner. It
certainly was easier and cheaper to store a roll
of film than hundreds of publications.
3. • Microfilm and microfiche serve the same
purpose. They create images of document
material and archive it on a film material. The
only difference between the two media is the
shape of the final product. For example,
microfilm puts document images on a roll of
film. Microfiche, on the other hand, houses
document images on a flat sheet.
4. • To access information stored on microfilm or
microfiche, a microfilm reader is required.
Users put the microfilm into the reader and
the images are enlarged so they could be
easily viewed. Most microfilm and microfiche
are stored as negative images. The reader,
therefore, converts the archive to positive
images.
5. • The microfilm archival method has been
popular for journals, books, newspapers and
historical documents. By storing the
information on film, the original documents
are preserved. The public can view the
contents of these materials easily and without
causing damage to the paper-based original.
6. • The Digital Era Changes Document Archiving
• To preserve the vast amount of information
contained in documents, microfilm and
microfiche were the only viable solutions for
many years. However, when the world started
going digital, microfilm and microfiche were
viewed as archaic methods. Storing data on
digital media, such as disks and removable drives,
became the new norm.
7. But, what happens to the millions of documents stored currently
archived on microfilm and microfiche? Enter microfilm scanners.
Basically, microfilm scanners scan the images on microfilm and
convert them into a digital format. Then, the digital files are stored
as soft copies. The conversion can be done by purchasing a
microfilm scanner or using a scanning service.
Organizations need to conduct a cost analysis to determine the best
course of action for digitizing their microfilm archives. Often, the
volume of microfilm will dictate whether purchasing a microfilm
scanner or outsourcing the project makes sense.
8. Characteristics of Microfilm Scanners
When microfilm scanners convert microfilm and
microfiche information to digital formats, the
resulting files are saved as TIFF, PDF or JPEG
formats. These digital formats can easily be
copied, stored and sent via e-mail as needed.
Plus, digital files can be housed in document
management systems and indexed for easy
retrieval.
9. However, one of the biggest advantages of using
microfilm scanners to convert microfilm images is
accessibility. No special reader is required to access
and view the information. With any computer or
mobile device, digital information can be accessed
from any location.
When selecting microfilm scanners, different models
exist. Companies need to compare each model’s
specifications to their requirements to determine the
best fit. Microfilm scanners will vary in terms of image
quality, scanning speed and cost.
10. Understanding how microfilm scanners work is
the first step in the purchase analysis.
Working similar to a digital camera, the
scanners produce images from the actual
microfilm or microfiche material. Depending
on the model, special capabilities allow
images to be enhanced. With the different
feature sets, each organization will need to
decide for itself what’s most useful.
11. It’s important to note that many organizations
don’t completely replace their microfilm
archives. Microfilm media can last for
decades. And, digital formats are not
foolproof. To create the best preservation
scenario, organizations will typically keep both
microfilm and digital formats of important
documents.
12. • Kevin D'Arcy is VP of Sales and Marketing for
MES Hybrid Document Systems, Ontario's
leading document scanning and document
management supplier. For more information
about Microfilm Scanners, visit our website.
