Scan2CAD raster to vector conversion software

NO BULL: Scan Speed Part 2

Contex define large format scanner productivity in "drawings per hour"

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What Contex is claiming

Instead of a helpful new test of large format scanner speed, Contex is claiming to provide a new measure of wide format productivity.

This would be a good thing had it been met with broad acceptance within the large format scanner industry. Not unexpectedly, Contex's new productivity specification has been rejected by its rivals. Their disapproval underlines Contex's strength and shows how they have out-manouvered their rivals with this controversial productivity data.

At the heart of the objections is what we understand by "productivity". Contex seem to be suggesting that being productive is about scanning fast at low resolutions; its rivals object, saying productivity is more about achieving truly useful image quality.

So, what exactly is Contex claiming?

In its Contex SD4400 "Professional Scanning Solutions" brochure, Contex lists its old method of measuring Scanning Speed in 400 dpi Turbo mode above a new measurement listing Productivity in documents per hour.

Scanning Speed* (inches/sec): Scanner speed while scanning 36-inch wide document.

 Contex SD4410 Contex SD4430 Contex SD4450 Contex SD4490
400dpi (Turbo) RGB Color-1.01.53.0
400dpi (Turbo) Index Color-1.01.53.0
400dpi (Turbo) Grayscale/Monochrome10.05.010.010.0

Productivity** (documents/hour): Batch scanning for 60 minutes. Includes paper load and eject time. Measured in completed scans.

 Contex SD4410 Contex SD4430 Contex SD4450 Contex SD4490
D-size, RGB Color, 200dpi-136198336
D-size, Monochrome, 200dpi780516780780
A1-size, RGB Color, 200dpi-132192324
A1-size, Monochrome, 200dpi744492744744

* Scanning speeds depend on document width and computer configuration. For best performance, Contex recommends Intel Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, or better processors, 2GB RAM, Hi-speed USB2.

**Scanning speed tests performed using Nextimage software, PC with intel Core 2 Quad processor, 3GB RAM, Hi-speed USB2, 7200rpm SATA hard drive, Windows XP Professional.

Scan Speed, Throughput and Productivity in Perspective

This is not the new measure of scan speed which the large format scanner industry claims to want but never gives us. What Contex's initiative does do is help us appreciate their large format devices' raw scan speed or throughput a little better. As a result, we regret its new specification does not attempt to describe "scan speed" or "throughput".

Contex appears to have based its measure of productivity on the need of scanning service bureaus and others to save large numbers of drawings very quickly. Contex say that scanning fast at 200 dpi resolution provides these users with the productivity they need and on that basis their description of this as a measure of productivity is correct.

Contex has a point.

Contex also argues that this is a measure of hardware productivity only. It is not a measure of combined hardware AND software productivity, the sort which provides wide format scanner operators with enhanced image quality. As such, this limitation lends weight to the argument of Contex's critics who say that its new specification is a flawed measure of productivity.

Contex's critics have a point.

Contex's new measure of productivity was never going to win the hearts and minds of its wide format scanning rivals. Instead of creating consensus, its new specification has started a new debate with Contex at its centre with impossibly high but memorable "productivity" numbers tagged onto its name. This is specmanship of the first order!

We believe that discussion will improve the market's understanding of the many factors, only one of which is scan speed, that combine to create genuine productivity, a benefit which is almost always much the poorer without scanned image quality.

Right now, Contex's new specification offers little insight into genuine wide format scanning productivity. However, the forthcoming debate will most certainly focus the spotlight on these issues. We welcome this debate.

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