Data Capture from Paper Files
We utilize a number of sophisticated techniques to capture data from paper:
- Wand and read barcodes
- Scan and read barcodes
- Scan and read forms:
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
- Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR)
- Scan and convert all text
- Adobe PDF with hidden text
- Microsoft Word or text export
- Match any of the above to database extract
Of course, we can manually key information from cursive script and artistic fonts. Manual keying always involves verification, either visual or through double-blind keying. In both cases, a different operator views the information to be entered so that a different set of eyes validates the data.
Micrographic media
Film scanning introduces additional challenges since the reduction of images and font sizes may lead to poor quality automatic recognition. Manual keying is therefore more frequently required:
Our high speed film scanning equipment converts both 16mm and 35mm film. We can handle a wide spectrum of film reduction ratios,
Fiche formats are pre-scanned to evaluate the precise location of images prior to microfiche scanning. They are concurrently scanned, rotated, deskewed and despeckled.
Once scanned, the images can be captured using any of the techniques described above/
Engineering drawings and blueprints maintained in aperture cards are scanned on high speed automated Wicks and Wilson film scanning equipment.
Data capture for keypunched (Hollerith) index information is read and captured by the scanners simultaneously with the image capture. Typed cards are keyed manually.
Film Slides
We scan all types of film; both negative and positive. Our capabilities include 35mm. and 70mm. slide collections, entire microfiche and up to 8 1/2 X 11 inch transparencies. Data capture is generally done through manual keying of the information shown on slide carriers or negative holders.
Digital Data
Extracting information from electronic files is very fast and accurate, but generally requires programming scripts that select the specific data fields, filters the information and migrates it to the new database, a spreadsheet, or text file that has been formatted to the retrieval requirements.