Anacomp has developed an accurate and efficient capture process utilizing state-of-the-art hardware, software, and methodologies. The following table summarized each step within Anacomp's capture process.Top

A "document" consists of one or more pages of data that are typically related or part of a logical group. A "page" generally refers to a physical piece of paper that may either contain data on a single side of the page (simplex) or on both sides of the page (duplex). An "image" generally refers to a digital representation of a single side of a page. For example, consider a monthly bank statement for Account 123456 which contains 12 duplex pages. This statement would then represent 1 document, 12 pages, and 24 images.Top

Please refer to table below and remember that each successive increase in paper size uses the long dimension of the previous size as the new short dimension, and then doubles the previous short dimension for the new long dimension.Top

Document preparation is the manual process of preparing documents for scanning and can often be critical to the success of any imaging project. Document preparation typically involves but is not limited to the following:

In most cases, document preparation is required prior to scanning. Customers may reduce the amount of document preparation performed by Anacomp prior to releasing the documents for scanning by modifying their internal workflow process. For example, documents may be stored unfolded or the customer may eliminate the use of staples when created.Top

Document de-preparation is the manual process of preparing documents for physical storage after they have been scanned. The de-preparation process will vary based upon the degree to which the documents must be handled. Document de-preparation typically involves but is not limited to the following:

1. Returning documents into the envelopes, folders, or other containers from which they came
2. Inserting staples, paper clips, or other fasteners that bound the pages prior to scanning
3. Resorting documents
4. Removing document or batch separator sheets

Black and white images, sometimes referred to as "bi-tonal images" are most commonly stored as standard TIFF files using CCITT Group 4 compression. Grayscale and color images may be stored as TIFF, JPEG, or PDF files and generally result in larger image files.

If scanned images are ingested into docHarbor Online as PDF, the user may select multiple documents and create a combined PDF document.Top

PDF stands for Portable Document Format and is the de facto standard created by Adobe. PDF files are compact, cross-platform, and can be viewed by anyone with an Acrobat Reader. There are two formats relating to document capture. The first format, PDF Image Only, is an image bitmap representation of the actual document. The image' s full text is not searchable. The second format, PDF Searchable Image, also referred to as Image+Hidden text, is a combination of a bitmap image in the PDF format with embedded text within the document. The full text of the document is searchable. This format is generally more costly to produce and should be considered when full text searches are justified.Top

A single image typically occupies approximately 50 KB of disk space if the image is stored in TIFF Group IV. The actual size of an image depends upon the several factors including the image type (bi-tonal, grayscale, color), bit-depth, compression type, resolution, and document data density. The following table

Image resolution is measured in terms of dpi (dots per inch) and typically range from 200 dpi to 400 dpi and impacts the file size of the image. The recommended resolution should take several items into consideration - the optimum balance between image quality and image size, number of pages per document, time to download documents from the image repository, and the use of recognition technologies including OCR, ICR, or OMR.

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Imaging systems should support black and white, grayscale and color images. Color files can be scanned with a color scanner or imported into an imaging system.Top

An imaging system should provide two different ways to do this. It should support duplex scanners, which simultaneously scan both sides of a page. Also, with a simplex scanner, the user should be able to scan all the front sides, place the documents in upside down and scan all the back sides, and then the system should automatically collate the pages into the correct order.Top

Blank pages may be automatically identified and ignored during the scanning process by configuring a predetermined threshold within the capture system. For example, a blank page threshold of 2,000 bytes could be configured to ignore any image that is less than 2,000 bytes in size. Anacomp works with each customer and each application to determine the optimum threshold for blank page handling.Top

Skewed (crooked or tilted) images can adversely affect the accuracy of the OCR process, so an imaging system should include software that recognizes skewed images and compensates for them.Top

To allow convenient access to document information, a well designed imaging system will allow the view screen to be configured to show the text, images, template index fields or thumbnail images.Top

Some imaging systems will allow you to display multiple documents, with the number of documents you can have open simultaneously limited only by the amount of memory available.Top

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition, which is how a computer converts words in an unsearchable scanned image to searchable text. OCR engines can generally only recognize typed or laser printed text, not handwriting.Top

Accuracy on a freshly laser printed page in excellent condition is typically better than 95%. Accuracy on faxed, dirty or degraded documents may be significantly lower.Top

ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition) is pattern-based character recognition and is also known as Hand Print Recognition. Handwritten text is more difficult for computers to recognize and results in higher error rates than printed text. ICR engines usually do best at recognizing constrained printing, which means block printed letters with one letter in each box. Accurate recognition of unconstrained handwriting, especially cursive handwriting, typically requires that the ICR engine be trained to recognize each user's style of writing.Top

OMR (Optical Mark Recognition), also called Mark Sense Recognition, is the recognition of marks commonly used on forms, such as check marks, circled choices, and filled-in bubbles. OMR can be an important part of an imaging system for organizations that process many standard forms.Top

A barcode is an array of vertical rectangular marks and spaces in a predetermined pattern used to represent data. Barcodes are generally used in document capture systems to reduce or eliminate certain costs by automating document type identification or index capture. There are several barcode types used in document capture including code 39, code 128, and interleaved 2 of 5.Top

MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) is a character recognition system used on bank checks. Special characters are printed using magnetized ink for automatic reading.Top

Images may be indexed using several capture methods. docHarbor's Professional Services team will evaluate the most accurate and cost-effective way to meet and/or exceed the scan project's requirements.