Image Access WideTEK CIS scanner Contex large format scanners

NO BULL: Scan Speed Part 2

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

... Continued. [Contex Scan Speed - previous]

Conclusion

It is desirable that the large format scanner industry adopt a universal measure of scan speed so that this data is transparent and easily comparable.

We were expecting Contex to display market leadership and give us such a measure of wide format scanner speed. We are disappointed it did not do so, especially as its surprise new specification for large format scanner productivity is incomplete and wide of the mark.

Nevertheless, Contex's new measure of D-size / A1 document scanning productivity is welcome if only because this new and controversial data will help stimulate a necessary debate on both the wide format scan speed AND productivity issues. Clarity in these matters is overdue.

Contex's new specification provides little useful insight into the practical productivity that most people expect - sharp, clean scanned images enhanced by time-consuming image editing and improvement. It is an unqualified measure of productivity's lowest common denominator - fast, low resolution scanning with little or no attention to scanned image detail and quality.

In using documents/hour as the measure - a failing which we accept we contributed to because we failed to see that sustaining a rate of 744 documents per hour is unachievable in the Real World - Contex are now able to claim some very high and memorable numbers. Being unattainable, these numbers are rightly dismissed by scornful rivals as ludicrous specmanship.

By using the lowest practical resolution (200 dpi) and the smallest professional paper size (D-size / A1), Contex has made it impossible for its rivals to repeat this test at a lower, faster resolution or with a smaller paper size and still look professional. Any rival wanting to present a similar specification will need to use the same criteria, thereby giving buyers a comparable result. This has to be a positive development even if the practical value of the data is questionable.

We wonder, is this productivity specification the beginning of a new, broader-based wide format scan speed test? It certainly doesn't satisfy all as a test of productivity.

We will have more to say on this matter. Watch this space!

Contex AS:
www.contex.com

[Contex Scan Speed - previous] [Contex Scan Speed - beginning of article]