The next level of imaging Automated information capture By Robert Seeley, Marketing Manager Photomatrix Corporation As the hardware, software and techniques of imaging continue to mature, increased varieties of traditionally labor-intensive documentation and information gathering tasks may be accomplished more economically and with less effort. Greater quantities of information processing, such as invoicing, statistics, billing, and database entry are now possible and justify the capital expenditures of equipment and the dedication of labor to train, implement, and reorganize a company's workflow. A well-planned document scanning, indexing, and image processing system brings automation to this process. Document scanning capabilities have expanded from simple image archival and display to the processing of the information contained on the pages. Batch processing automates the scanning, image processing, indexing and information extraction by first organizing the documents into similar work processes and sequences. It then automatically tracks each group of documents from one point to the next. The individual steps, such as scanning, indexing, barcode, marksense, quality control, forms processing and key entry are organized into a sequence of events, or a workflow, This is accomplished by an imaging system integrator assembling a number of software and hardware components. The latest trend uses completely pre-integrated systems from one vendor, such as the Photomatrix Image Capture System. This system includes a high-speed Vision Series 6000 Document Scanner, host computer, image processing hardware, VisionCapture image and indexing software. Document Capture Process The documents are scanned with precision production scanners, such as the Photomatrix Vision Series 5000 and 6000, to create high-quality images, recognize barcode, OCR, and mark sense fields for indexing purposes. This process also includes the creation of index files for tracking the numerous image files. Medium-to-large-sized projects benefit the most from these highly reliable rugged scanners that operate at the highest speeds possible for the longest duty cycle. Complete operator control over the scanning process, and the many scanner and imaging features available, is crucial to the subsequent automatic steps in the workflow. Flexible, easy-to-use, multi-featured scanning and indexing software applications, such as VisionCapture, are essential for minimal operator intervention and image quality. Linda Whipp, Assistant Vice President and Operations Manager, First Interstate Management Services After scanning is complete, and TIFF image files have been created, the images may be checkedwith VisionQ for exceptionally poor documents requiring rescanning, image alterations, deskewing. they may also be checked for image enhancements to improve the image quality and recognition rates of other processes. Index information may be updated, files may be reorganized and exported to other applications. Once the scanning and QC phases are complete, the automation of information extraction begins and is managed by workflow applications such as VisionFlow. Separate information fields on a form may be OCRed and entered into a database, either manually or automatically, with key entry applications such as VisionKey. Additional barcode, OCR and marksense information may be entered into databases. Customers today prefer a single multi-featured package such as the Image Processing Suite. Customer Satisfaction The Consumer Loan Records Center of First Interstate Bank is automating its documentation processes with imaging and workflow. Thirty million document images are being captured for storage capacity, paper reduction and information processing. Its ultimate goal is to save time and money while moving customers one step closer to a paperless environment by placing all document images on-line. Ideally, with the help of Photomatrix scanners, shortening the loan processing time enables the bank to begin earning interest payments sooner and enables our customers to focus on their business. The result? Everybody wins! * Vision Series 6000 and 5000 Scanners, VisionQC, Image Processing Suite, VisionCapture, VisionKey, and VisionFlow are products and trademarks of Photomatrix Corp., 5700 Buckingham Pkwy, Culver City, CA. 90230 800-822-4pmx fax 310-417-5042 Robert Seeley, marketing manager, Photomatrix, created marketing and technical sales support departments at TDC and BancTec Technologies for their electronic imaging product lines. IW Special Supplement, March 1996
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