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Old World Auctions reduces scan time by 80%
with Contex HD wide format scanner
u
The challenge
High resolution scans are a necessity at Old World Auctions
as customers rely on the website images for an accurate
representation of the company’s map inventory. The
Associate Cataloguer scans and digitizes each map the
company receives – approx 70 antique maps a week.
However, it took several minutes to process each map,
making it difficult to work efficiently. The dire need was a
wide format scanner capable of producing high resolution
images of comparable quality in a fraction of the time.
u The
solution
A high-speed HD 36 inch wide format scanner to scan color
and monochrome maps, regardless of condition. The scanner captures high-quality images measuring up to 36-inches
wide within seconds (in principle no limit on length).
u Benefits
& Results
The Contex HD can scan a map in 15 seconds, shortening
individual scan times by almost 3 minutes. Scanning comprises only 30% of the Associate Cataloguer’s responsibilities, so faster scan times free the Associate Cataloguer up
to complete other important tasks. The significant increase
in productivity also equates to a swift return on investment
as the new scanner will pay for itself in less than two years.
Old World Auctions sells antique maps, atlases, and other cartographic items – dating from the 16th century
through the beginning of the 20th century. Its quarterly
auctions are held exclusively online and two significant
factors play an instrumental role in defining Old World
Auctions’ brand: the quality of the digital maps and its
well-documented catalogue descriptions.
Four times a year, Old World Auctions hosts an online auction
of antique maps, atlases, and other cartographic items. Since
customers aren’t able to view the maps in person, Old World
Auctions’ success depends on featuring high-resolution scans
on its website. This gives customers the opportunity to see the
maps in vivid detail prior to bidding.
To bring its extensive collection of cartographic goods to life,
Old World Auctions relies on Contex scanners to get the job
done right. Sometimes, it’s almost too right.
Up for Auction
An auction can have between 800 to 1000 lots, and most of the
items are maps dating back to the 1500’s. Each map that arrives
at Old World Auctions is verified for authenticity and logged into
the company database; after that process is complete, the map
is scanned, digitized, and catalogued.
The newest addition, the HD 36 inch scanner, has not only
produced high resolution images of maps for the website, it
has streamlined the entire map processing workflow.
new Contex scanner would not only
“giveA better
quality images, it would be
much faster.
The difference between 15 seconds scans
versus 3 minutes is night and day.
Jon Dotson, Owner of the Old World Auctions
”
Old World Auction
The solution
Faster Scanning
Since customers spend hours combing through Old World
Auctions’ catalogue and staring at images, the company
didn’t want to sacrifice quality for speed. The Contex HD is
engineered for productivity: it can scan up to twelve A1/D-size
documents per minute, and it doesn’t split up color and monochrome jobs.
“The main reason we purchased the Contex HD scanner, is to
improve productivity. A new Contex scanner would not only
give better quality images, it would be much faster. And the
difference between 15 seconds scans versus 3 minutes is night
and day, ” Dotson states.
He continues, “I’m a finance geek, so I looked at the numbers.
In less than two years, the Contex scanner would pay for itself.
It was a pretty easy decision.”
Built with 48-bit color, full-sized CCD cameras, and a color
match lamp, the Contex HD has the capability of scanning an
assortment of documents, regardless of color or state. The
resulting scans are incredibly detailed. Dotson states, “The new
scanner is too good because it picks up everything. If there’s
water damage, the scanner will pick up the air space between
the map and mylar.”
Besides using the Contex scanner for precise catalogues for the
online auctions, Old World Auction has added the business of selling
digital images of the cartographic goods.
Note: Contex Nextimage scanning software can compensate for such “too
good” scannings.
Dotson explains that the Contex HD can also produce scans
that surpass the originals in quality; when that occurs, the
Associate Cataloguer adjusts the settings to ensure a realistic
representation of the material.
The benefits
Increased productivity
The Contex HD scanner’s rapid scanning ability has considerably shortened scanning times. Given that scanning comprises
only 30% of the Associate Cataloguer’s responsibilities, drastically reduced scanning times leads to improved workplace
efficiency.
Dotson states, “When we decided to buy this scanner it was
really on the premise that if we can have our Associate Cataloguer actually cataloguing rather than waiting for the scan to
finish, it would be worth it. It’s about productivity.”
Additionally, the Contex HD’s high resolution scanning capability has contributed to another facet of Old World Auctions’
business: the selling of digital images. Customers can purchase
the remarkably precise scans and avoid unnecessarily handling
their maps, minimizing the likelihood of damage and wear.
I’m a finance geek, so I looked at
“
the numbers. In less than two years,
the Contex scanner would pay for itself. It was a pretty easy decision.
Jon Dotson, Owner of the Old World Auctions
”
Learn more at www.contex.com
CONTEX
Americas Branch Office
Phone:
+1 (703) 964 9850
Fax:
+1 (703) 547 3375
[email protected]
CONTEX
China Branch Office
Phone:
+86 21 6422 2525
Fax:
+86 21 5496 0724
[email protected]
CONTEX
EMEA & AP Branch Office
Phone:
+45 4814 1122
Fax:
+45 4814 0122
[email protected]
CONTEX
Japan Branch Office
Phone:
+81 3 3669 5515
Fax :
+81 3 3669 5516
[email protected]
CONTEX Head Office
Phone:
+45 4814 1122
Fax:
+45 4814 0122
[email protected]
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