Epson WorkForce Pro GT...

The SmallBizWindows HP ScanJet 7000 Review

smallbizwindows2 Prior to the start of MedikLabs, my only interaction with  scanners were of the personal desktop kind, since I left all the heavy lifting to the pros at FedEx Kinko’s or their peers.

However, the healthcare industry, as constituted in these United States in the year of our Lord 2009, has NEVER heard of conservation. Resultantly, that entire industry generates a ton of paper. Worst of all, the crazy amount of paper create d is only reduced by a smidgen if an electronic medical records software suite, or EMR, is used!

Due to HIPPA laws, and the rightful requirement for an audit trail in order to secure the integrity of a patient’s record while using an EMR, several non-electronic items of a specific patient’s medical record must be scanned, and inserted into the patient’s electronic chart.

For which you need a high-speed scanner.

Unboxing
The ScanJet 7000 came in a relatively small box befitting its dimensions.

The requisite software, USB cable, power cord, user manuals, and a quick-install manual completed the package.

Really though, could someone send out a memo to other OEMs about the necessity of adding a USB cable in device packaging? Especially since USB cables can be purchased in bulk for about fifty cents or thereabouts!

The HP ScanJet 7000 Scanner 
I have split this review into two parts: a review of the ScanJet 7000 using Windows Vista, and a forthcoming review of the product using Windows 7 RC, which I transitioned all the client systems at MedikLabs to during the review regimen.

I installed the scanner at MedikLabs, and connected it directly to the deskside PC of the scanner operator.

Where I got my first peeve: the install process, for all of the included software, did not have a unified install suite, making it interactive. That I do not like!

That said, the list of software included with the ScanJet 7000 is impressive: HP ScanJet drivers and tools, EMC ISIS/TWAIN drivers, Kofax Virtual ReScan v4.2, I.R.I.S. Readiris Pro 11, and ScanSoft PaperPort 11.

The Review
In this day and age, where conservation is our burden, MedikLabs was designed to be paperless, utilizing a Windows Vista-based EMR (electronic medical records) suite from Day 1.

However, it is easier said than done. Resultantly, enter the high-speed scanner.

This scanner is fast.

In my initial tests, using a combination of text, fully graphic, and mixed documents, I was able to get nearly rated speed.

What makes the ScanJet 7000 more impressive is that same software suite that I panned earlier in this review. Earlier this year, I reviewed another scanner rated at 40 ppm in both black-and-white and color. Well, while the ScanJet 70 is only rated at 35 ppm in color, it makes up for that with incredibly fast post-scan processing.

Indeed, the ScanJet 7000 processes pages so fast that it returns control to the user within seconds even on a relatively slow system. Moving the ScanJet 7000 to my personal desktop unit at MedikLabs, it smoked even further.

For the past several weeks, the ScanJet 7000 has been working extra hard, scanning a backload of documents, x-rays film, and other documents into patient charts.

The ScanJet 7000 worked extremely well, over a range of computer systems, without snags, and mis-feeds.

The clerical staff at MedikLabs are enamored with it, and will be very upset when it has to go back home. In fact, we are looking to acquire one for use at MedikLabs.

Conclusions
I am pleased with this scanner.

It is fast, compact, and priced just right. This compact, sheet-feed scanner is a workhorse.

As a result, we are awarding it the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Superstar Award.

I hope to get a series of these scanners here at MedikLabs in the near future for a scan-off.smallbizwindows2

Meanwhile, enjoy the ScanJet 7000 while we bring you the Windows 7 review of this product shortly.

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The SmallBizWindows Epson WorkForce Pro GT-S80 Review

absolutevistaaward2  For the past several weeks, I have been reviewing the Epson WorkForce Pro GT-S80 sheet feed scanner.

While we all strive for the paperless office, the reality of it is that the current inventory of documents has to be digitized, or at least scanned, into the respective e-document repositories of their owners.

Into this scenario comes the high-speed scanner.

Epson WorkForce GT-S80
Announced in November of 2008, the WorkForce Pro GT-S80, hereinafter called the scanner, is a sheet-fed, single-pass duplex scanner designed for small and medium business environments, with a bias towards smaller environments.

It is spec’d at 80 pages per minute in mono mode, and has a 75-sheet sheet feeder.

While we do not use dedicated scanners of any sort at Logikworx or Logiklabs, I have clients and prospects that need them, especially in the healthcare industry, more evident now that everyone is moving towards implementing electronic medical records and/or electronic practice management suites.

Accordingly, I was able to obtain a copy for review at Mediklabs.

Unboxing
The GT-S80 came in a smallish box.

While signing for it, I asked the FedEx courier if there wasn’t Part II to the package. No, said he, and went on his merry way.

I opened the package to see a small device, the size of a large toaster, and a power supply.

A USB connector, user manuals, and a software CD completed the package.

I connected the parts, inserted the disc in the test system, installed the software, got an ‘install success’ dialog, and got to testing.

The Review
The included software suite for the WorkForce Pro GT-S80 is pretty extensive. You get the primary Epson Scan software, Abbyy FineReader Sprint Plus OCR software, ScanSoft’s PaperPort, and NewSoft’s Presto! BizCard software.

I changed the default output to PDF files for this review.

I inserted ten (10) double-sided sheets into the scanner’s sheet feeder, clicked on double-sided scan, and proceeded to doubt what transpired next.

The scanner fed the papers so fast through the machine that I took the output and waited for the software to prompt me for the second side.

After none was forthcoming, I decided to look at the saved output to see what exactly was going on.

To say that I am impressed is a gross understatement!

The scanner performs high-speed, duplex, color scanning.

Repeat, the WorkForce GT-S80 performs high-speed, duplex, color scanning.

It is truly a high-speed scanner.

I then ran it through several paces, using different materials up to large photographs and at very high resolutions.

The GT-S80 breezed through it all. In fact, the holdup was with the post-scan processing on the default installed (computer) system for the high resolution scans. (A change of host systems to a high-powered desktop system solved the post processing, cutting the time involved to mere seconds.)

In the subsequent weeks, users of the scanner came away impressed with the performance, and numerous output formats this device was capable of.

Conclusions
smallbizwindows1 The Epson Workforce Pro GT-S80 is one serious Business Ready device.

In fact, I believe that it probably wins any price/performance test hands down with any other scanner, especially in its price class.

How much do we like it? Since sending the review unit back to Epson, staffers here at Mediklabs have gone into scanner withdrawals, and I am looking to purchase a copy for use here.

Accordingly, we have decided to give it the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award of Excellence.