Document Scanners

Digitising documents can aid both efficiency and compliance goals by storing your documents in an easily accessible place and format. Document Scanners take this one step further by rapidly scanning documents at a touch of a button, and can process photographs, ID cards, and multiple pages much faster than a traditional flatbed scanner.

Chase Tech can select and install scanners from all the major manufacturers to ensure you have the right one to match your workflow.

What is a Document Scanner?

A document scanner is a specialised device used to convert physical documents, such as papers, photos, receipts, and other printed materials, into digital files. It works by capturing the content of the document and converting it into an electronic format that can be stored, edited, and shared on a computer or other digital devices. Document scanners come in various types and designs, but the primary goal remains the same: digitizing physical documents for easy access and management.

Here are some key features and types of document scanners:

1. Flatbed Scanners: These scanners resemble traditional photocopiers and have a flat glass surface where you place the document face-down for scanning. They are versatile and can handle various document sizes and types, including books and fragile documents.

2. Sheet-fed Scanners: Sheet-fed scanners are designed to process multiple pages quickly. They have an automatic document feeder (ADF) that allows you to stack several pages, and the scanner will pull them through for scanning one after the other automatically.

3. Portable Scanners: These are compact and lightweight scanners, often battery-powered, that are convenient for scanning documents on the go or when you have limited space.

4. Document Camera Scanners: Also known as overhead scanners or visual presenters, these scanners capture images of documents placed underneath them. They are commonly used in educational settings or during presentations to display documents on a larger screen.

5. Duplex Scanners: These scanners have the ability to scan both sides of a page simultaneously, which increases scanning efficiency for double-sided documents.

6. Network Scanners: Some scanners are designed to be connected directly to a network, allowing multiple users to access the scanner and send scanned documents to their devices or network locations.

Document scanners can vary in resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI), which affects the quality of the scanned image. Higher DPI settings result in better image quality but also larger file sizes.

Scanned documents are typically saved in common formats such as PDF, JPEG, or TIFF, making them easily shareable, searchable, and suitable for archiving.

Document scanners find applications in various settings, including offices, libraries, schools, and homes, where digitizing and organizing documents is essential for better document management, collaboration, and information retrieval.