Document manager scanners have numerous applications in the business and personal worlds. In the business and private worlds there are times when the need arises to send samples and/or copies of work in progress to someone. Document manager scanners are very handy for accomplishing this task, especially when using non-compatible software.

So you've decided to enter the paperless world. The problem is how do you know which document manager scanner to buy? A large variety exists on the market today, ranging from inexpensive desktop models to pricier large volume scanners. Before pulling the trigger on a buying your first document manager scanner, first consider your needs.

Volume: When looking at document manager scanners, it's important to make sure the device you purchase has the kind of volume capacity you need. In this case, speed does kill. For example, you can purchase a desktop scanner that scans about 15 ppm (pages per minute) for under $1,000, while a production scanner that scans over 50 ppm in color and 90 ppm in black & white can run you over $5,000. If you have a large daily volume to scan, going up a couple price levels may be well worth the time and labor saved.

Color: These days, most scanners can handle both black & white and color scanning. You probably won't have trouble finding a color scanner to meet your needs, no matter what your volume.

Double-sidedness: If a lot of your documents have images on both sides, you will want to make sure the document manager scanner you choose has a duplex function. This allows you to scan double-sided documents quickly and efficiently and keep the pages in the correct order.

Page Size: Most document manager scanners handle paper up to 8.5 x 15 inches (legal size). If your office documents are any larger, you will probably need to look at a special unit that handles large-format pages.

Brands and Types

Once you have considered your needs the next question you should ask yourself is "what brand and what type of document manager scanner you should purchase?" There are numerous brands and types of scanners to choose from including: Visioneer, HP, Fujitsu, Epson, Cannon and more. Scanner types include:

• Flat Bed: Flat bed scanners are versatile for most business and home applications including text, graphics and film

• Handheld: Ideal for individuals conducting research archives.

• Finger Print: Ideal for security uses.

• Pass Through: Pass through scanners are portable and paper or film are fed into the scanner.

• Film: Film scanners are used for transparencies and slides.

Selecting the Scanner You Want

Once you have decided on a possible scanner, visit a local office store and examine the specific features of the scanner. Things to consider include:

• Controls: Consider ease of use

• Weight: Hand held scanners or Desktop scanners

• Size: Consider the amount of space the scanner will take up in your office

• Optical Resolution: Scanners with higher resolution provide the ability to edit images

• Speed: Consider how often you will use the document manager scanner because based on text and size of images scanning time can vary by up to 30 seconds

These tips are recommendations for individuals who are considering a document manager scanner. They should be considered by not only first time buyers but also individuals who are considering upgrading. Individuals should consider their personal preferences and needs as well as the capabilities of a specific scanner when selecting a scanner.