Do you scan large numbers of documents regularly? If yes, then a multipage scanner is the perfect solution for your business.
Document scanning has helped business and individual users cost-effectively convert their paper documents. It helps transform hardcopy documents into digital format, whether text or photos, written or printed to prevent lost records.
The risk of human error is always present when scanning one by one. With a multiple-page scanner, however, this risk is greatly reduced since these scanners are built to produce large quantities at once.
It's hard to imagine how much time you can save by investing in a multi-page document scanner for your business. You need to include a multi-page scanner in your business setup to spare you the hassle of waiting in line with your colleagues when you want to scan pages.
A multipage scanner allows you to scan multiple pages at once, saving you much time.
Getting an effective multi-page scanner is easy when you understand what features to consider so you don't waste money purchasing a scanner that doesn’t meet your requirements.
After reviewing many scanners and discovering that most people miss the features they should look for before purchasing a multi-page scanner for their personal or work needs. We have compiled factors to consider to help you make an informed purchase.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Multi-page Scanner
A high-quality multipage scanner helps make life easier and work more productive. It is necessary to analyse the project or job your workspace faces most often to select the best hardware. Below are the key factors and features to look out for to match your business requirements.
- Types: There are two major types of scanners in the market today: flatbed and sheetfed. One benefit of using a flatbed scanner is that it allows you to scan different data formats, including images, books, and three-dimensional objects. You can use the flatbed scanner by opening a lid, placing the paper on a pane of glass, and then closing the lid. Or, you can scan many images at once by loading them into the digital photo feeder. Most flatbed scanners can adjust for thicker materials. The sheet-fed scanner scans single, loose sheets of paper rather than stacks. It is suitable for businesses that need to scan hundreds of documents.
- Optical Resolution: A scanner's resolution describes how much detail it can extract from a document. The resolution is calculated in PPI which is the Pixels per inch. But you also need to look out for the best resolution depending on how sharp you want your data. A high-resolution scanner is needed to scan high-quality photos and documents. So if you get the best multi-page scanner, you can expect a crisp and more colourful quality for your data. Scanner resolutions now range from 200 to 4800 pixels per inch. It is best to use a scanner between 400 and 600 PPI, so you can crop or edit your document without causing it to become blurry.
- OCR: Optical Character Recognition software converts your scanned files to editable and searchable documents. This comes with most scanners and is useful if you need to edit scanned files regularly. Some OCR-supported multi-page scanners provide direct e-mailing, so you can share scanned files without a computer. This multi-page scanner type easily converts PDF or JPEG scans to word files. You need OCR software if you are buying a multi-page scanner for banking or auditing.
- TPU: TPU is Transparency Adapters. The TPU is a feature that you should definitely look out for if you are in a business that requires scanning slides, films, and negatives. Scanners with this feature might be a bit pricey, but it helps you restore images from old films and store them digitally to prevent them from being destroyed.
- Automatic Document Feeder: This feature can help you save time, so you won’t need to stand with the scanner for long. It automatically feeds your paper into the device, so you don't have to feed the document one by one. It's easy to place 50 to 60 pages on the scanner and have them scanned without any hassle because the automatic feeders hold your large stack of papers. You can set this up and move on to other tasks until your files are ready. Not all scanners come with an ADF, while some have them as an add-on feature with different auto-feed rates.
- Speed: The scanner's speed affects how quickly you can finish your task, so you won't have to wait too long. This factor shouldn't be underestimated because most scanners today come with the looks but have low scanning capacity that will slow you down. The scanning speed of a scanner is measured using two units: ppm (pages per minute) for simplex scanners and ipm (images per minute) for duplex scanners. There are high and low pages per minute scanners ranging from 20 ppm to 200 ppm speed.
- Duplexing: Another feature that fastens your work process and helps save you time. This feature helps you scan both sides of a page at once. These scanners are often called two-sided scanners. In general, it is better to go with a duplex scanner unless you plan to scan single-sided documents exclusively.
- Size: The scanner size you choose depends on the space available in your office and the document type you work with. What paper do you scan more often? Is it card stock, multipart form, carbon copy, thin, translucent, or normal office paper? You'll need a scanner with a large scanning area when scanning large documents. This factor is essential when choosing a multipage scanner to ensure proper feeding of paper and to avoid constant paper jams. The scanner's paper-handling functions need to match the paper type.
- Compatibility: You'll need to make sure that the multipage scanner is compatible with the devices you'll be using it with, whether that's a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop when making your choice. You should also ensure that the scanner is compatible with the software you use in your organisation.
- Multifunctionality: Some scanners can perform only one task at a time, like scanning or printing. However, most devices do multiple tasks at once.
- Connectivity: The connectivity options offered by multipage scanners, include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB.
- Ease-Of-Use: A scanner must be easy to use by everyone. More importantly, one that is easy to set up and connect to your device. You can choose the one that requires little configuration or requires fewer buttons to work.
- Additional Functions: Today, most scanners come with more useful functions, such as touch screen panels and extra paper trays, and some offer wireless connection or built-in card readers for scanning from your PC or other devices.
Conclusion
Getting a multipage scanner can help you save time when you have a pile of documents to work on. With a multipage scanner, you can scan documents into a single file or individual files depending on the type of features integrated into the scanner.
Now that you know what factors to consider when choosing a multipage scanner, you can check out our scanner category for top-quality multi-page scanners perfect for your business.
