Document scanning goes live

Helen Sage reports

A new document scanning service that lets users instantly retrieve live and archive material from their PC or network is launched this month by Data Scanning Services.

It is the first scanning service to become available in the UK that combines a new generation optical character recognition (OCR) system with the latest electronic document management capability.

The service offers solicitors and legal departments the opportunity to increase the efficiency of litigation support and case management with immediate retrieval of single documents and complete files.

Live and archive documents can be converted into files that are suitable for any form of storage media, including CD-ROM and optical disk, and for use on any platform - DOS, Windows, Macintosh or Unix.

Once scanned and indexed, the documents or data are returned in the required computer media along with the necessary reading and retrieval software to enable full text searches.

Garry Kay, IT manager at Linklaters & Paines, said: "The combination of searchable OCR and retention of original document format and graphics in one electronic document is an approach which some firms will want to investigate further.

"It appears DSS can also provide a solution for those firms requiring a one-off, case-specific solution."