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To offset the risk of documental extinction, microfilming services remains a viable and low-cost media for storing information for the long haul. Although most companies rely on digital records and information, major drawbacks surface with long-term storage. Experts acknowledge electronic media has a five to seven year life before it will need to be migrated to another platform. For more information about Microfilming Services, visit http://www.mesltd.ca.
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Microfilming Services: What Factors Can Affect the Cost?
Microfilming Services • To offset the risk of technology obsolescence, microfilming services remains a viable and low-cost media for storing information for the long haul. • Although most companies rely on digital records and information, major drawbacks surface with long-term storage. • Experts acknowledge electronic media has a five to seven yearlife before it will need to be migrated to another platform.
Microfilming Services Why this short life? • Technology evolves rapidly. • Software and hardware used today most likely won’t be around in five to seven years. • Any important information will most likely need to be migrated and stored on new platforms. • When you’re concerned with technological obsolescence or storage availability and cost, microfilming services is the way to go.
Microfilming Services The Process for Microfilming Services The process for converting paper or digital documents to microfilm requires a series of steps. Not all steps will be used in every project, so the cost of microfilming services can vary. Document Preparation. • This step simply refers to getting the documents ready for microfilming services. • Depending on the type of service, you may have to remove staples and paper clips. You may also need to mend torn documents or affix small documents to a larger sheet of paper. Number of Images. • This measurement consists of the number of rolls of original camera film that was used, the number of hours needed to film documents, the number of duplicate rolls to be made, the processing charges and the final number of items used to produce the microfilm.
Microfilming Services The Process for Microfilming Services The process for converting paper or digital documents to microfilm requires a series of steps. Not all steps will be used in every project, so the cost of microfilming services can vary. Number of Rolls of Original Camera Microfilm. • Most company records will be 8.5” x 11” and done on 16mm microfilm. • For newspapers, engineering drawings, maps and historical records, 35mm film is typically used. • A general rule of thumb for estimating how many rolls will be used in microfilming services is to divide the total number of images by 2,400. This number represents how many images can fit on a 100-foot roll of 16mm film.
Microfilming Services The Process for Microfilming Services The process for converting paper or digital documents to microfilm requires a series of steps. Not all steps will be used in every project, so the cost of microfilming services can vary. Number of Microfilming Services Hours. • This process involves creating the images on the roll of film. • The quality of a document will affect the filming speed. Worn documents take longer than new, high quality documents. • Your microfilming services vendor can estimate how long it will be per roll. You can then get an idea of the total project time based on the number of rolls you’ll require.
Microfilming Services The Process for Microfilming Services The process for converting paper or digital documents to microfilm requires a series of steps. Not all steps will be used in every project, so the cost of microfilming services can vary. Number of Jackets or Aperture Cards. • Jackets come in several different sizes. • They can be used on both 16mm and 35mm microfilm. Inserting Film into Jackets/Aperture Cards. • This process refers to cutting the microfilm into sections. • The cut sections are then inserted into jackets or aperture cards. • Microfilming vendors use special equipment to perform this operation. Typing Identifying Information on Jackets and Aperture Cards. • The jackets and aperture cards may require identifying information. • This task adds to the time and cost of microfilming.
Microfilming Services • Each project requiring microfilming services will have different requirements. • Many vendors will provide accurate estimates of entire projects. • To save valuable time, they can also perform all the legwork involved in your project. MES Hybrid Document Systems is Canada's leading document scanning services company. For nearly 40 years MES Hybrid Document Systems have been in the business of Document Management and document scanning services. We can help you understand how microfilm can be incorporated into your information management and disaster recovery strategy. At MES Hybrid Document Systems we're dedicated to help educate and inform our clients about new microfilming technologies and services.
About the Author Kevin D'Arcy is VP of Sales and Marketing for MES Hybrid Document Systems, Ontario's leading document scanning and document management supplier. For more information about Microfilming Services, visit http://www.mesltd.ca.