MICROFILM & MICROFICHE SCANNING

WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS

WHAT IS MICROFORM?Microforms are any form of storage containing tiny microreproductions of documents.

Microform images usually reduce the document to about 1/25 of its original size, providinga durable data storage option with more affordable distribution than paper copies.

Widespread use of microforms began during the 1960s for preserving old and decayingbooks and newspaper clips, however more modern companies such as Visa also usemicroforms for storing bank statements and other documents.

Some of the most common formats of microforms include:

• Microfilms

• Microfiche

• Aperture Cards

TYPES OF MICROFORM

MICROFILM: Typically uses a motion picture film roll to store a reel of document images.Capacities can range from 600 engineering drawings to 2,400 standard documents.

MICROFICHE: Stores document images on a flat 105 x 148 mm film sheet ratherthan film roll. Common formats are 10 x 14 mm, organized as a matrix of microimages.

APERTURE CARDS: Hollerith cards with hole punched for 35 mm microchip to bemounted. Aperture cards are typically used for storing microimages of engineering drawings.

WHY SCAN MICROFILM & MICROFICHE?

Once considered the most effective alternative to bulk data storage, microform formats have begun to grow outdated as digital technologies have begun to steadily pick up pace.

REASONS TO SCAN

MICROFORM

Digitizing Is CheapLower costs for scanning have driven the cost digitizing microform down to only $0.15 per page.

It’s Difficult to Access & Read FilesMicroform images are too small to read and require reader machines that users need to carefully wind or rewind until they find the right image.

They’re Difficult to ReproduceCopying specific microimages requires special reader-printers. Photocopied microform can’t be read.

BENEFITS OF DIGITIZING MICROFILM & MICROFICHE

MICROFORM SCANNING

Unlike time-consuming past methods, copying and distributing scanned microform like digital photographs can be as simple as a five-minute email.

Data backups for digitized microform can be both easily created and updated, whereas physical storage means creating a brand new film or fiche each time.

Scanned microforms can be indexed and searched through more efficiently. Optical character recognition (OCR) is used to create searchable individual documents.

HOW MICROFORMSARE SCANNED

An optical scanner is used to capture the

microform in raw digital format

The digital microform imageis outputted in the

desired format (JPG, PDF, GIF, etc.)

Automated OCR is applied. Faded or

fragmented text and layout issues must be

entered manually

Newly scanned digital documents

are integrated and indexed in an

electronic DMS

READY TO LEAVE OUTDATED TECHNOLOGIES BEHIND?

HAVE YOUR MICROFILM, MICROFICHE, & MICROFORMS DIGITIZED AT RECORD NATIONS TODAY