Is your Microfilm A Candidate For Records Scanning?

Records scanning can be the solution a a number of issues with your microfilm or microfilm system. To determine if your microfilm will benefit from a records scanning process, you can look at these three factors: First try to determine the age of the microfilm. Second, evaluate the frequency of use of the microfilm. And third, figure out if the value gain from internal and external customer service. Records scanning will improve all these areas.

Lets look at how records scanning will help each one of these areas in more detail. The age of the microfilm is a very important factor because of the potential of data lose. Microfilm can undergo a decomposition process where it will become dry and brittle. Records scanning should be considered way before this begins to happen. If you sense any smell from your microfilm, this could be the beginning stages of decomposition and you may want to talk to an export about records scanning.

The frequency of use of the microfilm can also be an important factor. Excessive use and improper handling can lead to scratches on the microfilm that may contribute to lose of data. Records scanning before the film is scratched is essential to capture all the information. Records scanning can also help reduce the time wasted from spooling and winding rolls of microfilm.

Records scanning is also noticeable in streamlining the process of storing and retrieving information. This will directly impact the service level to internal and external customers. Records scanning will allow for a completely automated system. For companies that want to improve customer satisfaction, records scanning will allow you to find information at a much faster rate. Records scanning will also allow you to share information without limitation to a roll of microfilm.

16mm roll film scanning

A  16mm roll film conversion requires different microfilm scanner hardware accessories than a 35 mm roll film digital conversion, such as smaller rollers and guiders. However, when it comes to digital microfilm conversion, the final product is not different when comparing 16mm to 35mm.

Generally, all types of documents are contained on 16mm roll film, in many cases  8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14 images. That means microfilm scanning takes care of everything.  Of course, 16 mm film can also contain maps, blueprints, checks, computer printouts, EKG graphs, earthquake records, and technically anything that was on paper.

From the technical standpoint, the reduction ratio or aspect ratio is very different. Most 16mm film was reduced from 18x to 48x. Contact us.

Microfilm scanning 

The best time for a 16mm roll film or 35mm roll digital microfilm conversion is right now.

There are quite a few reasons:

• Microfilm will degrade and become ruined if you wait too long to convert microfilm to digital image.
• Your costs will actually decrease- it is much faster to work with and retrieve  digital images than hard copies or old microfilm viewers. I’ve seen countless government employees grab a 35mm reel, manually search for a frame, and use a reader printer to create a hard copy. That is very 1981!
• Online. Billions of records have already been uploaded and hosted online for the public on the internet or even on intranets for your office. Get with the times.
• The economy. The cost of microfilm scanning has dropped considerably. Getting a relatively cheap microfilm conversion is now possible.

Contact us today.