Many companies face the challenge of capturing information and transmitting it in a variety of formats. This task includes both scanning and storing documents or trying to fax or email. Companies also face imaging issues when scanning documents and storing them on a network or on other media such as CD`s.
"HP`s 9100CDigital Sender will make a significant difference to this type of communication - it is an innovative new workgroup communication device that converts paper documents into digital information so they can also be sent via e-mail," says Traci Maynard, HP peripherals manager at Tarsus Technologies - a member of JSE-listed MB Technologies. "The scanner can also send information to a network fax solution, network printer, network PC or HP JetSend-enabled device."
"The 9100C combines the functions of a network-attached fax, scanner and copier into a unit roughly the size of a LaserJet printer," she explains. "Paper documents are fed to the 9100C, then transmitted to almost any type of recipient using either e-mail or a communication protocol called JetSend."
Resolution starts at 600x600, but the G4 fax-compression technology for text and black-and-white images and the popular Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard for colour determine final picture quality.
"Out of the box, users can scan colour and black-and-white documents, convert them to high-resolution Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) files on the fly, and e-mail them as Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) files to anyone on the Internet," Maynard adds.
"The Digital Sender contains a database of addresses so that users can just drop the documents in the unit, enter the address, and walk away," she continues. "This unit especially comes in handy when companies with workgroups of five or more need to routinely send paper information."
Maynard refers to a case study in which Norwest Bank`s leading underwriter wanted to move to another state, and since he was so highly skilled and experienced, the bank was eager to keep him, and agreed to let him telecommute. "This meant that Norwest was spending huge amounts on overnight courier services," she relates. "One of Norwest`s communications consultants suggested the HP Digital Sender.
"Instead of waiting to bundle four or five files together to save on courier charges, files were sent as soon as they were pre-underwritten, which meant the group began saving time and money immediately. The HP Digital Sender had achieved their goal of finding a less expensive, more efficient way to transmit files to their underwriter."
Maynard goes on to say that Banca Sella, a bank with growing needs, was faced with high telephone costs due to internal documents being distributed via fax, inefficiencies and a waste of resources and due to lengthy paper document exchanges.
"To date, Banca Sella has replaced all analog fax machines with 170 easy-to-use HP Digital Senders and a highly efficient Rightfax Network fax system," she says. "Telephone and labour costs have been dramatically reduced and loan documents for approval are now forwarded in minutes."
One of the world`s leading communication agencies, Saatchi & Saatchi, has installed HP Digital Sender devices in its European headquarters. Advertising is a visual industry, and the company needs to distribute documents via fax or courier, or occasionally, scan and attach the files to e-mail.
The HP Digital Sender device has provided the company with a viable alternative - clients are impressed by the quick delivery of high-quality materials and the process of delivering work has speeded up.
Maynard also points out that thanks to HP`s Digital Sender, Cathay Pacific has achieved its objective to reduce the amount of paper usage. The company`s objective was to create an electronic workplace to ensure a decrease in paper documents. The HP Digital Sender was installed throughout the company`s infrastructure to scan and send documents electronically.
"The revolutionary Digital Sender incorporates all of HP`s extensive networking and imaging experience to create a communication tool that easily integrates paper into the electronic workplace, without compromising quality," Maynard concludes.
Share
Tarsus Technologies is the distribution arm of MB Technologies Limited - a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and one of South Africa`s leading IT groups.
The founding company of the group, Tarsus Technologies, was established in 1985 by Leo Baxter, and was involved in the development and sale of software before diversifying into hardware distribution.
In 1989 Baxter sold a majority share to M+PD Electronics, which was subsequently sold to Siltek. In the early 1990s, Tarsus expanded its hardware sales, and was appointed distributor for OKI, Samsung and Compaq. In 1992, Baxter bought back Tarsus, selling a majority share to Persetel, and in 1994 he took advantage of an opportunity for a management buyout and repurchased the company with Mike McGrath acquiring an equal share.
The company was now growing strongly, and MB Technologies was formed as a holding company to cater for the group expanding and diversifying its operations into new areas.
Today, Tarsus Technologies is one of South Africa`s leading hardware distributors and widely recognised by the channel for its service ethos, product knowledge, excellent support and channel focus.
With an executive board comprising Mike McGrath (the founder of M+PD and past MD of Siltek), Leo Baxter, Guy Whitcroft, Pierre Spies, and Jamie Scott, Tarsus` management team is arguably the most experienced IT distribution team of any company in the country.
Editorial contacts