I'm searching for a new batch document scanner for our small hospital. I've supported Fujitsu scanners for nearly a decade and love them, but I've noticed some troubling quality issues since Ricoh took over production. I've had three fi-8170 models fail on me already, and I have concerns about Ricoh's reputation for durability, dating back to my days in electronics retail. We primarily need these scanners for digitizing records and insurance cards into our EMR system and ideally want to achieve speeds above 50 PPM/100 IPM. We're looking for a USB 3.0 connection with a standard document size of 8.5 x 14 inches, preferably with guides for cards. While network capacity isn't required since these will be USB-connected, minimal scanning software will be necessary as a backup. I've considered the Canon imageFORMULA DR-C350 and DR-M260, along with some Epson and Brother models. Any advice?
4 Answers
I work at a VAR and noticed that my distributor has six new FI-7160s still available in the warehouse. If you’re interested, I can reserve them for you! Let me know!
We use the Canon imageFORMULA DR-2090 and it's been fantastic—zero issues over more than two years of daily use. It's reliable and handles our workflow perfectly!
We've swapped out most of our Fujitsu models for the Epson Workforce series, particularly the DS-530II. We only get a couple of support tickets per year with these, and honestly, I'm loving them so much more than the Fujitsus. Plus, Document Capture Pro is free and much better than the software Fujitsu offers!
I’ve checked out some Epsons too, and I think the DS-870 would meet our requirements, although the DS-970 seems a bit too advanced.
Falling off desks is often the downfall of desktop scanners! With proper care, these tools should last a long time. While Fujitsu and Ricoh are popular, you should definitely consider higher-priced options like Kodak Alaris, Epson, or Canon. Brother can be a cheaper alternative, but keep in mind they might not be as sturdy. I'd also recommend discussing warranty options directly with Ricoh to ensure you're covered.
That was just one unfortunate incident, but I appreciate the input. I did contact Ricoh about the warranty, and they stuck to a standard 1-year, which is concerning given my recent experiences.
That might be a tad too robust for us, but it's reassuring to hear about the reliability from those two models.