|
Activity
or Characteristic |
Paper |
Micrographics |
Document
Imaging |
| Document capture |
Documents placed in folders |
Photographic image(s) made on
film using a camera |
Digital image made using a
scanner |
| Cross-filing to provide
access to multiple "keys" |
Physical copies made and
filed in appropriate folder(s) |
Paper or computer-based index
made containing "map" of keys to image |
Computer-based index made
containing "map" of keys to images |
| Retrieval of images for
use |
Go to file room, find folder,
remove (put out-of-file card in file; either make copy and replace folder,
or, use folder then replace |
Search index or ascertain
correct roll or fiche; go to film storage area; extract film and place in
viewer; advance to frame and view; make print if desired |
Enter search key into
retrieval program; view image on computer screen; make print if desired.
Supports simultaneous access by multiple users and applications |
| Time required to retrieve
images |
Hours to days to weeks |
Minutes to hours to days |
Seconds |
| Send image to another user |
Make copy, if required, and
send via inter-office mail or hand-carry |
Make paper copy and send via
inter-office mail or hand-carry |
Enter user name (or choose
from menu) into retrieval program; system send electronically (e-mail) |
| Time required to send
images |
Hours to days |
Minutes to hours |
Seconds |
| Storage density (documents
per cubic foot or meter) |
Low (hundreds) |
Medium (thousands) |
High (tens of thousands to
millions) |
| Potential for misfiling or
losing documents |
High |
Lower |
Lowest |
| Impact of existing
computer infrastructure |
None to very low |
None to low |
Potentially high |
| Impact of introduction on
existing work methods |
None – this is usually the
status quo |
Little to moderate
(especially if film quality is poor) |
Potentially high particularly
if work flow implemented and work process are reengineered |
| Cost for storage |
Capital: moderate; Operations:
high; Labor: low |
Capital: low; Operations:
moderate; Labor: moderate |
Capital: high; Operations:
low; Labor: low |
