High volume scanning on a multifunction printer: benefits & features to look for

In scanning and digitization lingo, high volume refers to the scanning of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of documents on a regular basis. Special equipment, specifically high speed, high-capacity single function scanners, have been typically needed for several reasons.

High volume scanners were built to scan

Multifunction and all-in-one devices were built to scan-once-print-many (copy a document by scanning it once, then outputting as many copies of it as needed — the benefit of digital devices over analog ones). As document scanning and digital distribution capabilities were added to MFPs, feeders became more robust, though most were designed to handle paper and not the diverse media types like cards, NCR, card stock and thermal paper a single function scanner could handle.

Increased scanning and document digitization created a few other issues that favored the single-function scanner.

Scanned documents need(ed) validation

There are a number of considerations when scanning large volumes of documents. One that required constant human oversight concerned image quality. Scanners might pull a sheet of paper unevenly. This would result in a skewed image. Different size sheets of paper might also need adjustment at the device or in the scanning tool.

Every page needed to be reviewed as part of quality control. This required staff next to the scanner in case a page needed to be rescanned.

Concerning different page sizes, the tools that drove the image capture on high-volume single-function scanners have been able to adjust the captured image of the page size for many years now. Likewise, the feeders were built to handle varying page sizes.

Scanners were connected to local PCs

A single function scanner connects directly to a computer. USB connections were common; today WiFi connectivity is common. This meant someone needed to be there to run the application that pulled the images from the scanner.

Production scanners were made for high volumes and speed

The fi-8950 mentioned at the beginning of the article can scan up to 300 images per minute (ipm), or 150 sheets of paper. When scanning documents in batches of thousands, speed matters.

Durability also matters when scanning large numbers of documents and of different media types. That’s why the new SD Series changes the conversation about high volume scanning; they are also built to handle the volume and the variability of document media.

Scanning on a multifunction printer comes with many benefits. Here’s a quick list.

• Lower costs, as you don’t need additional scanners, a PC to drive it, nor support for either

• Greater efficiency, with prebuilt workflows and integrations

• Easy-to-use, you and your team work with a familiar interface / no need to learn a new application

• Optimized workspaces, one footprint contains scan, print, copy, and even fax

• Contributes to sustainable business practices

The following features play a big role in the value of an MFP to your scanning efforts.

• Single-pass document feeding. Both sides of a sheet of paper can be scanned at the same time. This reduces wear and tear on the rollers that move paper through the feeder.

• Color scan capabilities. The scanner should be able to capture images in color, even if the device only prints in black and white.

• Integrations. Being able to put your documents into a workflow, destination, or process at the point of scan saves a lot of time.

And as noted at the beginning, heavy-duty construction and an ability to handle multiple types of documents certainly add a lot of value to an MFP.