New Scanners

The Norman Public Schools District Computer Center is no longer making specific recommendations for scanners. Most new scanners should be compatible with the Windows XP operating system (and therefore compatible with NPS computer systems running UDT version 3.0 or later). Older UDT systems (version 2.3 and earlier) run the Windows NT 4.0 operating system and will probably be compatible with very few new scanners. You may want to consult with the technology Site Contact person for your site or the district Technical Support Team to discuss which scanners they have successfully installed on district computers.

Links for more information:

  • A few scanning tips by Wayne Fulton
  • Links related to scanning and scanners
  • Technology product research

    Some of the companies who manufacture scanners are linked below for your convenience:

    Here are a few web sites to help you research scanner products:

    For a list of technology vendors - some of whom sell scanners - click here.



    • OCR Software

    OCR Software

    " OCR, or optical character recognition, is one of life's disappointments. Like unwrapping a solid, heavy Christmas present and finding eight pairs of socks inside, using OCR with the expectation that what was printed on the paper will actually appear in perfect form on your PC screen usually results in amazement, followed swiftly by annoyance. "   --IT Reviews   07/01/2000   www.itreviews.co.uk/software/s59.htm

    • Some of the companies who provide optical character recognition and/or form recognition software are listed in the table below.
    • As always, you should make certain that software is compatible with your equipment and operating system before purchasing it. The Unified Desktop (UDT) systems in our district run the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 operating system. The next version of the Unified Desktop will probably be based on the Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system.
    • You should not expect OCR software to perfectly reproduce documents and forms that you scan - see quotation above. Some (perhaps much) reformatting of the document may be necessary.
    • The DCC does not have sufficient experience with OCR software packages to recommend one for use with UDT systems. Industry reviews of the OmniPage and Presto! OCR packages have been favorable.
    • Please let us know if you have any positive or negative experiences with OCR packages or their manufacturers so we may better advise others in the furture.

    Company   (listed alphabetically)
    		 OCR Product(s) Web Site
    ABBYY FineReader
    FormReader    		 www.abbyy.com
    Cognitive Technology Corp. CuneiForm OCR Pro www.ocr.com
    ExperVision Inc. TypeReader Professional www.expervision.com
    Image Recognition Integrated Systems (I.R.I.S.) Readiris Pro www.irislink.com
    Microsystems Technology OCR for Forms www.mti-info.com
    NewSoft Presto! OCR Pro
    Presto! Forms    		 www.newsoftinc.com
    Oyster Software FormsPro www.oystersoft.com
    ScanSoft
    (acquired Caere)    		 OmniPage
    OmniForm
    TextBridge    		 www.scansoft.com
    www.caere.com
    The following OCR online resources may also be useful:
  • ScanStore.com - www.scanstore.com/Software/

    • Purchasing Questions:
    		Technical Questions:
    Shannon Benda
    Purchasing Secretary
    405-447-6553
    Fax: 405-573-3555
    131 S. Flood, Norman, OK 73069
    sbenda@norman.k12.ok.us
    Bob Mackey
    Tech Support Specialist
    405-366-5822
    Fax: 405-366-5805
    1133 W. Main, Norman, OK 73069
    rmackey@norman.k12.ok.us
    Kelly Stout
    Tech Support Specialist
    405-366-5822
    Fax: 405-366-5805
    1133 W. Main, Norman, OK 73069
    kellys@norman.k12.ok.us
    Kim Bauer
    Director of Purchasing
    405-447-6555
    Fax: 405-573-3555
    131 S. Flood, Norman, OK 73069
    kbauer@norman.k12.ok.us
    Lyndon Berglan
    Network Manager
    405-366-5803
    Fax: 405-366-5805
    1133 W. Main, Norman, OK 73069
    lberglan@norman.k12.ok.us
    Bonnie Selzer
    Tech Support Manager
    405-573-3522
    Fax: 405-366-5805
    1133 W. Main, Norman, OK 73069
    bselzer@norman.k12.ok.us

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    		This page last updated February 1, 2004. We have made every reasonable attempt to insure that our web pages are educationally sound and do not contain links to materials that violate the Norman Public School District's Policies on Internet and Internet Safety for the Computer Network. Opinions expressed on these web pages do not necessarily reflect those of the Norman Public School District. For more information concerning this site please email webmaster@norman.k12.ok.us.