Software For Hi-Speed Fujitsu Scanners

Elevated Software Development here announced the release of fScanX 1.6 for Mac OS X, an update to their popular scanning application, designed exclusively for use with the Fujitsu fi-series of high-speed document imaging scanners. fScanX will scan single or double-sided documents, black & white, grayscale or color directly into multi-page TIFF or PDF files. In addition, the fScanX package includes an Automator action for workflow integration, and a command-line utility for complete scripted control of scanning functions.

Currently supported scanners include the Fujitsu fi-6130, fi-6230, fi-6140, fi-6240, fi-5530C2, fi-4340C, fi-6670 and fi-6770 models. Using the fi-6770 production scanner, and running fScanX 1.6 on any Mac Quad-Core or better, delivers maximum throughput of 79 pages/min single-sided, and 158 images/minute double sided, scanning at 300 dpi with 24-bit color. New in version 1.6 is live preview of scanned pages during the scan, along with more options for opening the completed scan. This version also reduces CPU utilization during grayscale and color scans.

Developed from the ground up utilizing the latest OS X technologies, fScanX is best known for its agility and speed. It offers simple installation and ships with both a stand-alone scanning application as well as a command-line utility for use in scripting and developing automated solutions within any development environment, and an Automator action for scriptless automation.


"In 2002 there was no support available for integrating high-speed scanning into Macintosh applications, so I started developing my own drivers as part of an extensive electronic medical records system," said Scott Ribe, founder of Colorado based Elevated Software Development, Inc. "In 2004, I distilled the essential scanning support into the standalone product fScanX."

fScanX's simple-to-use scanning utility offers a natural, easy user interface and is aimed at scanning documents into files quickly with no fuss. However, rather than requiring the application to launch in order to perform scanning, fScanX's command-line utility gives developers the ability to control the user interface completely. This opens up a host of possibilities for prepress operators, developers and graphic designers alike to build custom workflows involving scanning.

Additionally, fScanX ships with a handy Automator action enabling very easy creation of scanning workflows without scripting. fScanX also enables a host of alternative automation options. It takes only three lines of script code in FileMaker to scan a document, with similar setups available in 4D. And it's just as easy to scan from AppleScript, shell scripts, Ruby, Python, and more. (Simple FileMaker and AppleScript Studio examples are included. As more extensive Objective-C examples, the sources of the standalone scanning application and Automator action are also included.)

"We've used the ease of FileMaker, the flexibility of AppleScript, and the ever-growing features of fScanX to create what I consider the ultimate in business automation," said Ryan Thorpe, 24-Hour Record Retriever & Abstract, Inc. "Fujitsu's great scanners coupled with Scott's excellent software, service, and support makes it a no-brainer. Anyone serious about running a business on a Mac needs fScanX."


Feature Highlights:
* Comfortable and simple User Interface aimed strictly at scanning documents into files
* Simple installation (Standard package: double-click to install, install via ADR, etc.)
* From download to first scan potentially in about a minute
* Up to 90 pages per minute throughput
* Limitless automation possibilities
* Single-sided and double-sided scanning, black & white, grayscale, color

"Fujitsu is focused on providing the most innovative document imaging solutions on the market," said Jeff Decarlo, director of business development, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. "Working with partners such as Elevated Software Development provides customers with additional advanced functionality to help streamline business operations and become more productive and efficient when utilizing fi-series scanners to digitize their documents."

Pricing and Availability:
fScanX 1.6 is licensed on a per-scanner basis, $149 - $699 (USD) depending on model. Before buying please see the fScanX product page for more information about which scanners and features are supported by the current version. Version 1.6 is a major update delivering requested features and is a recommended download for all customers running Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

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