Content Manager from Construction Imaging

Imaging FAQs

 
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Fujitsu scanners networkable?

  • Fujitsu scanners are designed to connect directly to the PC where the scanner software is installed.

Can I get rid of my paper after I put it into Construction Imaging Systems’ document imaging software?

  • This is a topic that should be discussed with your attorneys. Retention requirements vary by state. We do know that some courts have accepted electronic images as admissible when they are the best available evidence, but opinions are not uniform on this issue.

 

Can I still use Construction Imaging Systems imaging software if I change accounting packages?

  • YES. Because we have numerous integrations with other construction software packages including both accounting and project management, you keep your imaging investment when you are ready to change accounting or project management software.

Can I use my existing equipment?

  • Yes, our software can be installed on existing PCs and servers provided they meet the minimum system requirements. Our representative will help you determine your minimum hardware needs.

Do any of the Bowe Bell & Howell scanners come with a USB connection?

  • No. Bowe Bell & Howell scanners come with either a SCSI or a Video connection.  None have a USB connection.

Do I need a flatbed?

  • Some scanners offer flatbed scanning areas. Flatbed scanning may be required for customers that have photographs, fragile, old, or oversized documents.

Does Construction Imaging Systems integrate with my current accounting or project management software?

  • Most likely! We have integrations with many construction software products including Timberline, Master Builder, Coins, eCMS, Primavera Expedition, Meridian Prolog, ComputerEase, Star Builder, StreetSmarts, Dexter + Chaney, JDE OneWorld, Maxwell, Viewpoint, MAS90, MAS200, and others. If you are using a product that is not listed here, that does not mean we cannot integrate with it, so give us a call!

How are the indexes entered?

  • The method of indexing is determined through discussions with each of our clients. Various methods include individually keying indexed fields, using double verifying for greater accuracy, using bar codes, or employing Auto indexing to populate the fields from scanned text from document images. Construction Imaging System has developed an innovative scrape technology that allows us to populate some indexes based on the information keyed into your accounting software which eliminates double-keying.

How can my business benefit from document imaging?

  • How much time has your office wasted looking for a lost or misplaced file or waiting until someone else is finished using it? Archiving your company's documents electronically will save your business two of its most precious commodities; time and money. An Ernst & Young study has revealed that electronic document management can reduce staff time by up to 50%. The same study found that companies can also achieve up to an 80% reduction in document storage space. By decreasing your staff's time spent on redundant tasks such as filing, sorting, copying, etc., your business can reduce expenses and operate more efficiently.

How do I estimate my paper volume?

  • Type of Storage Estimated Number of Pages                                                                                                         Storage Box (10” x 12” x 15”) 2,000 to 2,500 pages
    Vertical File Drawer 3,500 to 4,000 pages
    Lateral File Drawer 4,500 to 5,000 pages
    Open Shelving 1,500 pages per linear foot
    Unbound Paper 100 to 125 pages per inch

How do I get started?

  • Call Construction Imaging Systems at (877) 435-6002

How much disk space will my scanned files require?

  • This depends on how large the documents being stored are and how much data is on the page. On the average, a 8 1/2" X 11" typed document, scanned at 200 dpi, will consume around 40kB, or about 13,000 documents in the space of one CD. As many as 2,000 engineering size drawings can also be stored on a single CD.

Is leasing available?

  • Yes. Construction Imaging Systems has relationships with several national leasing companies.

What are consumable parts?

  • Consumable parts are mainly used in each scanner's automatic document feeder (ADF) and naturally wear out based on the number of documents scanned. Consumables are an important part of the cleaning and preventative maintenance routine that is required in order for your scanner to maintain its highest performance level.

What are the benefits of document imaging?

  • Some of the benefits include:
    · Provides immediate access to documents
    · Better and more informed deConstruction Imagingion making
    · Increased productivity
    · Provides disaster recovery as protection against fire, flood or other accidents
    · Speeds responses to inquiries, both internal and external
    · Reduces costs associated with copying, faxing, and transporting documents
    · Improved information sharing
    · Significantly reduces labor costs associated with retrieving filed documents

What are the legal issues surrounding document scanning and imaging?

  • If done properly, the courts have upheld that imaging and scanning are just as legally binding as paper. Legal acceptability of document images depends on the operation or the business process used to create the documents. Audit trails are recommend and are used to prove that a transaction was properly processed by the organization. Audit trails also help insure document integrity and prove that the image is a true representation of the original.

What are TWAIN and ISIS?

  • TWAIN and ISIS are industry standard scanner drivers. They allow you to seamlessly connect your scanner to hundreds of scanning applications.

What Do All of those "Paper Sizes" Mean?

Standard Paper Size Chart

U.S. Standard
ANSI ("A" – "G") and Other Sizes

European
ISO and JIS "A" Size

Japanese
JIS "B" Size

Size

Size

Size

Designation

mm

inches

Designation

mm

inches

Designation

mm

inches

G

1727 x 2235

68 x 88

4A0

1682 x 2378

66.2 x 93.6

n/a

n/a

n/a

F

1575 x 1727

44 x 68

2A0

1189 x 1682

46.8 x 66.2

n/a

n/a

n/a

E

889 x 1575

34 x 44

A0

841 x 1189

33.1 x 46.8

B0

1030 x 1456

40.6 x 57.3

D

584 x 889

22 x 35

A1

594 x 841

23.4 x 33.1

B1

728 x 1030

28.7 x 40.6

C

432 x 559

17 x 22

A2

420 x 594

16.5 x 23.4

B2

515 x 728

20.3 x 28.7

B (Ledger)

279 x 432

11 x 17

A3

297 x 420

11.7 x 16.5

B3

364 x 515

14.3 x 20.3

Legal

216 x 356

8.5 x 14

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

A (Letter)

216 x 279

8.5 x 11

A4

210 x 297

8.3 x 11.7

B4

257 x 364

10.1 x 14.3

Executive

191 x 254

7.5 x 10

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Statement

140 x 216

5.5 x 8.5

A5

148 x 210

5.8 x 8.3

B5

182 x 257

7.2 x 10.1

Quarter Page

108 x 140

4.25 x 5.5

A6

105 x 148

4.1 x 5.8

B6

128 x 182

5.0 x 7.2

Note Pad

89 x 108

3.5 x 4.25

A7

74 x 105

2.9 x 4.1

B7

91 x 128

3.6 x 5.0

Business Card

64 x 89

2.5 x 3.5

A8

52 x 74

2.1 x 2.9

B8

64 x 91

2.5 x 3.6

n/a

n/a

n/a

A9

37 x 52

1.5 x 2.1

B9

45 x 64

1.8 x 2.5

n/a

n/a

n/a

A10

26 x 37

1.0 x 1.5

B10

32 x 45

1.3 x 1.8

What does 'back-file conversion' mean?

  • Back-file conversion is the process of converting paper documents to electronic format (digital or image).

What is an electronic document?

  • An electronic document is a digital picture of the original paper document. When a piece of paper is run through a scanner it makes an electronic image of the document.

What is document imaging and how would it benefit me?

  • Document imaging is a process that allows your company to digitally capture, store, and retrieve paper documents from a computer. Digitally formatted information is accessible from all authorized PCs. Moreover, indexed, converted data offers a more effective way of locating pertinent information.
    Converting your records improves your company's productivity. Instant information retrieval allows your employees to respond quicker and share information internally. Additionally, your company's cost of copying, transporting, and maintaining information is dramatically reduced.

What is long document scanning?

  • Long Document Scanning functionality is used to process longer than normal paper sizes. Long documents can be in the form of loan documents, Medical equipment logs, and similar documents.

What is SCSI? What is USB?

  • The acronym SCSI (pronounced "scuzzy") stands for Small Computer System Interface. SCSI is an interface standard for connecting peripheral devices to PCs and can be found on a majority of Fujitsu scanners. Please visit http://www.scsita.org/ or http://www.adaptec.com/ for more information about the SCSI interface standard.

    USB, or Universal Serial Bus is a standard computer interface that is included with the majority of personal computers. The USB interface allows the user to connect external devices including scanners, digital cameras, printers, keyboards, and mice to the PC. The current USB specification is 2.0. The 2.0 standard supports and is backwards compatible with the previous specification, 1.1. For more information go to http://www.usb.org.

What is the difference between scanners?

  • The main set of differences within the scanner product lines we offer include scanning speed, daily duty cycle, scanner size/weight, image enhancement, and list price. We offer a wide selection of high-speed scanners with advanced features on our low-end workgroup models all the way up to our high-speed production scanners.

What is TIFF?

  • TIFF (Tag Image File Format) is a common format for exchanging raster graphics (bitmap) images between application programs, including those used for scanner images. A TIFF file can be identified as a file with a ".tiff" or ".tif" file name suffix.

What kind of documents can the imaging software manage?

  • A/P Invoices, POs, Delivery Tickets, Contracts, Correspondence, Warranty Manuals, O&M Manuals, Personnel Records, Tax Records, Certificates Of Insurance, CAD Drawings, Site Surveys, Job Photos & any other paper document within your organization as well as electronic files already stored in your computer!

What's a daily duty cycle?

  • The daily duty cycle is the average number of scans recommended for a scanner model.

Where can I buy consumables for my Bowe Bell & Howell scanner?

  • Scanner consumables can be purchased directly from Construction Imaging Systems.

Where can I buy consumables for my Fujitsu scanner?

  • Scanner consumables can be purchased directly from Construction Imaging Systems.

Which scanner is best for me?

  • Construction Imaging Systems offers a wide variety of scanning models with speeds ranging from 15 to 90+ pages per minute. With our wide selection of scanners, our representative will recommend a scanner that includes the features you require, the duty cycle to match your workload, and a cost that meets your budget

Why document imaging?

  • Real paper takes up space and is hard to search and retrieve in large volumes. Document imaging keeps an exact scan of every original document online in addition to making the information searchable and easily retrieved.