Scanning the Possibilities

Hicks: CAD, architecture, construction, photography, graphic design, just to name a few.

Rhodes: A wide-format scanner will allow print providers to expand into new markets such as legal, educational and fine art.

What’s the best way for a shop to make money with wide-format scanners?

Destombes: Although it depends on the price charged to customer, return on investment (ROI) with an HP MFP solution is quite fast. Taking low ink costs and more efficient ink usage with the latest HP large-format MFP technologies into consideration, the cost of copying and printing is decreasing while the cost of scanning is zero once the original document is printed. Offering scan-to-file service on top of copying and printing services is the most efficient way for PSPs to leverage their large-format scanning technologies to increase profitability and drive revenue streams within the shop.

Bennett: While color-copying services seem to be the most profitable service to offer, do not limit your services to one or two specific services or markets. There may be some very interesting and profitable vertical markets just around the corner yet to be discovered. Contex has the most diverse group of third-party software developers available writing applications that directly interface with our scanners. Many of these applications may provide PSPs with the right tools to obtain cost effective and professional results in many different vertical markets.

Joyce: Accurate accounting for each scan is important. Océ Copy Easy software has an automatic accounting feature that allows users to track their profits and measure their ROI. An efficient energy usage is also of increasing importance to minimize operating costs. Another important consideration is to choose a scanner that can be upgraded in both speed and quality so it can be adapted to changing/growing business needs, thereby protecting the original investment.

Geesman: Provide a more “value-added” service. Instead of raw images on a CD, provide a more turnkey approach by offering color management (ICC Workflow) for color scanning, image touch-up and enhancement, indexing and front-end software applications for content/document management and offer hosting solutions.

Click Here to download the Wide-Format Imaging Scanner Chart

Steven Shaw is the former editor of Industrial Photography and Studio Photography. He writes for numerous trade magazines including Kitchen & Bath Design News.