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As MFPs become more commoditised they also tend to boast the same functionality: large colour touch screens, network connectivity, and basic scanning capability. Adding eCopy's software to these MFPs means a consistent and highly user-friendly interface with powerful workflow functions behind it, which should be something of a no-brainer when it comes to partners looking for ways to add value to a customer's MFP fleet. We saw ShareScan demonstrated on a selection of MFPs from different manufacturers, and the interface was to all intents and purposes identical across all the devices.

Crucially, v5.2 of ShareScan allows users to capture from more sources than ever before. The new email/folder watching service is a key enhancement to the offering. It means that users scanning from any device (including desktop scanners and non-eCopy devices), or even tablets or phones can send an image to a network folder or email address specified as 'watched', which is being monitored by ShareScan. Those images are then automatically processed and routed as appropriate to wherever they are needed in the business. ShareScan 5.2 can also "watch" an entire directory and will process all subfolders and files preserving the directory and file structure information. This is key for back file conversion and system migration.

Other improvements in v5.2 include enhancements to the connectors to enable these electronic based workflows to be carried out in an automated manner which is critical for transactional based workflows. It also fully supports all versions of SharePoint including SharePoint Online in Office365. The ability to easily lookup data from external sources means information is validated at the point of capture - saving time and reducing exceptions. Auto-preview of scanned images offers the same benefit. As Nuance says: "Real time validation stops errors before they happen".

While these are the user benefits, there are also significant administrative customer benefits to ShareScan 5.2. When managing a fleet of scanning devices, MFPs and now electronic workflows it is critical to providing a single point of administration and deployment. This means the customer has a lower solution management cost and can ensure that the document workflows are consistent regardless of their source within the business.

Nuance has modified its pricing model to coincide with the release of v5.2 of ShareScan, in an attempt to encourage the idea of deploying the software on all of an organisation's devices. The company describes ShareScan as 'the most comprehensive MFP scanning and workflow solution on the market', and frankly there is nothing else out there that comes close to the functionality of this latest release.
More info: www.nuance.co.uk

VERDICT
With version 5.2 of ShareScan, Nuance is making it easier than ever for potential partners to work with them to add value to MFP fleets, whatever manufacturer(s) that might involve - and the more competitive pricing model will doubtless add to the appeal.