More than an open scan track
Since its first pre-launch showing at CeBIT 2013 the SCAMAX 8×1 has already been voted product of the year by the readers of Postmaster-Magazin in Germany and came runner up at the 2014 DM Awards in the High Volume Imaging Product of the Year category – all this before users could actually buy one!
Now InoTec has announced the official production of this high volume colour scanner, with the fi rst devices delivered in the fourth quarter of 2014. The device has now been put to the acid test by a very successful and recognised German scan service provider known as SAGA GmbH. SAGA GmbH offers tailored solutions for electronic archiving and digital information management. Founded in 1984, the family company, operating across Germany combines ground breaking scanning technologies with customer-oriented services. This case study reviews how InoTec has enabled SAGA to achieve increased productivity……..
Modern scanning technology keeps improving the performance of image capturing solutions. SAGA GmbH, a scanning service provider from Düsseldorf, combines the best of two scan-worlds in one reference project: the benefits of an open scan track with those of a compact high speed document scanner.
A high quality standard combined with maximum flexibility are the trademarks of SAGA GmbH. “There is always a perfect result at the end of the scanning process,” explains Ludwig Nickel, CEO of the Düsseldorf-based scanning service provider and goes on: “In addition, we offer tailored solutions for the various scan requirements, which significantly differentiates us from our competition.”
This requirement is fulfilled in practice with highly qualified employees, that must have at least a vocational business qualification alongside intensive training. A qualification as a bank clerk is even required for the data entry of electronic credit files.
On the other hand, the company places emphasis on advanced and innovative scanning technologies. When it comes to this, ‘less is more’ for Ludwig Nickel: “It is not the quantity of scanners that’s decisive, but the productivity achieved. Using the high speed document scanners of InoTec we process 350,000 sheets per day.”
More throughput with one machine
Despite the good market position, Ludwig Nickel is continuously in search of opportunities to optimise its own scan workflows. “Those who make work more efficient have to work more efficiently themselves,” is the company motto.
In 2013, he evaluated the purchase of an open scan track. But after taking a closer look, there were more and more doubts. For example, the labour utilisation and space required for the operation is significantly higher. Furthermore, there can be difficulties to get the operation going again after a paper jam. “Longer standstills are completely unacceptable for a scanning service provider, they cost us cash,” explains Ludwig Nickel.
Whilst on the lookout for a machine that could achieve a higher throughput, he quickly got in touch with InoTec. There is a long and trusted business relationship with the scanner specialist from Germany. The entire scanner infrastructure of SAGA is made up of models of various SCAMAX series.
InoTec announced a high speed production scanner at CeBIT 2013, which is especially designed for the requirements of scan service providers and users with a need for high volume scanning.
Real teamwork
After a pilot series was ready, InoTec and SAGA agreed upon an intensive test run. This took place within a period of two weeks at InoTec in their German headquarters in Wölfersheim and one week at the SAGA headquarters. The team was made up of qualified scan operators from the Düsseldorf-based scanning service provider and employees of the InoTec research and development department.
During this time the scanner ran continuously and had to process highly heterogeneous documents. The resulting findings were entered into a task book, which InoTec engineers used to optimise the scanner functions.
“The cooperation between InoTec and SAGA was real teamwork. The end result is a scanner, which delivers the best of both scan-worlds: It combines a very high throughput and maximum operator comfort with a compact design and a very low cost of ownership”, explains Ludwig Nickel.
A model of the new SCAMAX 8×1 series went into production from mid-October 2014. The first project was the digitisation of 70,000 files with 4 million sheets. The nature of the documents presented just as much of a challenge as the allotted time period. A large part of the documents originated in the 1940s and 50s, are heavily yellowed, torn and made up of very thin paper. According to the customer agreement, the documents had to be made available as soon before Christmas as possible.
Today, Ludwig Nickel is able to look upon the successful result with pride: “The InoTec high speed document scanner passed its practical test with flying colours. All documents were delivered to the customer on time, even though the volume was 35 per cent higher than originally projected.”
Many advantages
After the experiences of the test phase and the production operation, Ludwig Nickel appears to be convinced of the technological concept of the new scanner.
Firstly, there is the argument for the space required. “The InoTec high speed production scanner requires the space of a large tabletop unit, whilst an open scan track would take up at least triple the office space,” says Ludwig Nickel. Furthermore, the InoTec device is pleasantly quiet when running and does not create dirt, which is beneficial for the health of the employees.
He also praises the simple operation and use. This allows the scanner settings to be applied via the touchscreen attached to the right of the scanner in just a few, logically grouped steps.
Control takes place via a scan client, which the InoTec partner, SCE Software, had specially developed for the device. “Without TwinScan we would not have achieved the maximum speed,” explains Ludwig Nickel.
Maintenance work is also straightforward. The scanner housing automatically opens and closes with the touch of a button. In this way, you receive immediate access to the central components, which require cleaning. “The SCAMAX 8×1 is completely cleaned by our scan operators in five minutes,” says Ludwig Nickel.
According to the SAGA CEO, the central argument for the InoTec production scanner is the high speed of 300 sheets per minute. This is ensured, amongst other things, by a patented feeding system as well as a largely failure-free paper flow. The SCAMAX 8×1 has a document redirection with a large radius in order to put as little strain on the paper as possible. The scanner also uses a special glass by Schott, which is particularly scratch and break-resistant. Thanks to this, staples are no problem for the device.
In order to enable continuous production on the scanner, the InoTec engineers developed a dual input hopper tray consisting of two document trays, each with a capacity of 1,000 sheets. Whilst one document tray is in use, the second can be loaded with new documents. Once a stack has been completely electronically captured, the empty document tray is automatically pushed to the side and the newly filled one is moved into position. All this facilitates continuous feeding to ensure uninterrupted scanning.
Future plans
Current projects in the mailroom and e-invoicing are now being transferred to the SCAMAX 8×1, step by step. Whilst eight employees are working on the document preparation, one employee is sufficient to operate the high speed production scanner.
Nevertheless, Ludwig Nickel is already thinking about the next step. “It would be ideal to have a second 8×1 device for optimum reliability. This allows us to strengthen our promise of being able to safely carry out even time-critical projects with a high document volume ‘right in time’.”
As the UK distributor for InoTec, Genus will be exhibiting at this years AIIM Forum UK taking place on 24th June 2015 at the Ibis Hotel, Earls Court, London. You will find us on stand 20 showcasing a selection of mid to high volume document scanners from InoTec and Avision, including the newly available InoTec SCAMAX 8×1.
For more details please email hayleykilmurry@genusit.com
SAGA GmbH
SAGA GmbH offers tailored solutions for electronic archiving and digital information management. Found in 1984, the family company operating across Germany combines groundbreaking scanning technologies with customer-oriented services. The offers include the digitisation of document archives, electronic data capture, mailroom solutions as well as electronic invoice processing. The company employs around 70 highly qualified employees at its headquarters in Düsseldorf, which ensure a seamless project process and high quality results.
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