Transitioning hundreds of physical files into a digital-first workflow can be difficult. The right ADF can help.
In a rapidly digitalizing business world, physical paper is still part of the everyday workflow for many companies. In fact, there’s a good chance you have a stack of documents sitting on your desk right now. You may be dreading the time and effort required to digitize it all and wondering if there’s a way to get all the information stored on that paper into your modern systems in one easy move. Thanks to scanners with automatic document feeders, there is.
With a scanner that includes the right capacity automatic document feeder, you can accelerate the processing of those physical documents as you ensure proper image capture, faster scanning, and increased document accessibility. You can streamline workflows and minimize the amount of papers on your desk.
However, scanners with automatic document feeders aren’t one-size-fits-all. Here are a few tips to help you find the one with the best feature set for your organization.
Need more advice on how to manage large paper workloads? Read A Guide to Bulk Scanning With High Volume Scanners for more information.
What is an automatic document feeder?
An automatic document feeder (ADF) holds the stack, or batch, of documents to be scanned and feeds them into the scanner. This facilitates faster digitization of multiple documents in a single batch. Depending on the scanner, its ADF tray may be able to hold tens or hundreds of documents at once. The scanner can then separate, process, and upload the documents in the tray to a computer much faster than if you were waiting to upload one document at a time. This also frees up the operator’s attention so they can perform other tasks as the scanner works.
Many scanners with an automatic document feeder incorporate software to recognize different types of documents in the same batch for easy processing. This can be useful in government agencies or in financial institutions, where you may have to scan someone’s identification documents in addition to large stacks of papers. For example, an adaptable scanner with an ADF front-scan option could process a driver's license in the same stack as a financing agreement.
What are the benefits of an automatic document feeder?
Scanners equipped with ADF technology can expedite workflows, improve customer experience, and encourage compliance. They also remove some of the more frustrating complications that come with more traditional scanners. Here’s how:
Fewer errors: With an automatic document feeder, you can minimize the potential for human error. Feeding in each paper one at a time increases the likelihood of misaligned pages or multiple documents sticking together. On the other hand, a high-quality ADF scanner uses page separating and feeding technology to ensure even untidy stacks of paper pass through at the optimal angle and speed.
Faster data capturing: Data is now paramount for every business. Organizations are using it to improve processes, uplevel customer experiences, and even train AI models. Leaving your ADF scanner to digitize large quantities of data in a single go means your business can spend less time processing and more time creating value.
Creating more efficient workflows: Staffing remains a challenge in the wake of the pandemic. Many companies are looking for ways to maximize their staff’s time, reduce efforts spent on mundane tasks, and minimize burnout. ADF-enabled scanners reduce bottlenecks and allow your employees to get to more meaningful work quicker.
Scanner features to use in combination with auto document feeders
Depending on your document scanning workload, there are particular features you should prioritize to set your business up for success. Here’s what to look for:
1. High-volume, double-sided scanning
It’s important to know the number of documents per day, week, and month you scan before selecting a scanner. If you find that number is in the hundreds per day range, then you need an auto document feed scanner that can process a high volume of double-sided documents at the same time. For instance, the RICOH fi-8950 production scanner boasts an expected daily volume of 130,000 sheets, thanks in no small part to its 750-page ADF capacity.
2. Auto-fixing loading errors
If you’re scanning hundreds of documents at a time, there’s a decent chance at least one will be wrinkled or misaligned. An error in loading the documents could lead to an image capture error or a paper jam — and no one wants that. The right scanner will have a mechanism that can correct or straighten the document even if it’s skewed when loading. This correction will also protect the original documents from becoming damaged during the scanning process.
3. Versatility and flexibility
If a scanner can process 600 documents at once but is only compatible with one type of document, it’s not as useful as it could be. Look for scanners that can process everything from legal papers to sheets from a notepad to business cards. The flexibility to load each document at the same time and trust the scanner to accurately digitize each document is invaluable to internal workflows.
4. Precise imaging
While speed, reliability, and versatility are essential, a scanner must capture clear and precise images. This will aid in more accurate document reviews for your staff, customers, and clients. It’s important to note certain scanners may not perform as well with color as they do in black-and-white. Also, some scanners can’t accurately capture double-sided pages as fast as they do single-sided documents. The right scanner won’t see a dip in performance in either scenario.
Our recommendation: RICOH fi-8950
Those in the market for an automatic document feeder scanner have no shortage of options. We take great pride in having spent the last 50+ years researching, designing, and developing some of the most advanced and powerful electronics in the world, including our professional grade fi and SP series of scanners.
Built to purpose for the most demanding document handling jobs, fi and SP scanners are capable of processing tens of thousands of pages per day at the highest levels of accuracy. Their intuitive integration capabilities with all existing work suites minimize time-to-value for businesses looking to invest in tools that will pay dividends for years to come.
The RICOH fi-8950 boasts scanning speeds of 150 pages per minute (PPM), all while keeping scans accurate with proprietary Clear Image Capture (CIC) technology. A 750-sheet document feeder consolidates big tasks into fewer batches, enhancing productivity. And its user-friendly design and intuitive interface make operating the fi-8950 a breeze. Click here to learn more or shop the rest of our production scanner line.
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