I know this is tempting fate, but ...
As the owner of a photo scanning service I rely heavily on my Kodak s1220. If you've read other posts you'll see we've been through the wars together. New versions of the operating program, a few usability issues, plus the odd stripy scan. But ...
Well, I was going to run this post last week but I thought I wouldn't tempt fate. I've held off for a week, and last week was pretty busy, we did a few thousand prints. I've given it a second week and see no reason for holding off any longer. Here goes.
Nothing to report.
The wonderful Kodak s1220 has worked faultlessly, happily chugging through all sorts of photos without problem, fuss or drama. We've now put in place an automatic system that asks clients for their feedback when they pay their bill. They continue to love what, thanks to Kodak, we can continue to deliver. A snappy turnround, great quality scans, snapped up faded colours, correct orientation - all at a reasonable price.
So, nothing to report and much to appreciate. Not much of a post really, except in the world of IT based services where not every item of hardware does exactly what it says on the box without hysterics.
To stop you feeling entirely cheated I'll add something I've noticed from our marketing efforts. We've targeted 1Scan.co.uk very much at people who know they don't want to scan. Our clients have been people who wouldn't even know how to switch on a scanner or at the other end, those who know a lot about scanning and know they don't want to be bothered (typically businesses and photo professionals). Increasingly I'm noticing business from people who have a scanner, know how to use it, and have done some scanning. They've been happy with their results - yet they come to us for one simple reason. They have worked out how long it will take them to scan 300+ family photos and they just can't face the grind of doing that one by one.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
New Scanning Package
A few weeks ago we went to the UK's foremost photography show at the National Exhibition Centre. This is pitched squarely at the pro photographers and retailers, with maybe a small corner for photo scanning service peeps like us.
Unless you've been living under a stone you won't know how UK retail is in the doldrums, recesssion, the squeezed middle, higher VAT, the internet, shopping malls, if you own a shop front you need any lifeline that can be thrown your way. Boy would you have been disappointed by Focus. OK they had some new cameras, tripods, strange devices to hold lamps, camera bags but anything new, anything to generate new revenue? OK, a couple of booths to print instant photobooks, but not much more. At least Kodak had a scanner on their stand, but they weren't making a big song and dance about it.
But Kodak have made amends with the launch of a new scanning package in the USA. I hope they roll it out here. It's a neat package of the latest version of their photo scanning system along with a payment terminal. Idea is you leave it on the counter, its a self-service operation and customers can then pay without pestering staff. It's one of the few things I've come across that can be said to offer a prospect of a solid ROI to the retail side of the photography market. I'm sure in due course Kodak will roll this out into the UK and Europe.
As an internet based scanning operation I don't see this as deadly competition. It's a way of raising photo scanning in the minds of the consumer and it will confirm in peoples minds that Kodak is the premier name in imaging. Oh and I just love this image they have on the photo scanning page, thanks Kodak, that's just how Laura spends her time.
Unless you've been living under a stone you won't know how UK retail is in the doldrums, recesssion, the squeezed middle, higher VAT, the internet, shopping malls, if you own a shop front you need any lifeline that can be thrown your way. Boy would you have been disappointed by Focus. OK they had some new cameras, tripods, strange devices to hold lamps, camera bags but anything new, anything to generate new revenue? OK, a couple of booths to print instant photobooks, but not much more. At least Kodak had a scanner on their stand, but they weren't making a big song and dance about it.
But Kodak have made amends with the launch of a new scanning package in the USA. I hope they roll it out here. It's a neat package of the latest version of their photo scanning system along with a payment terminal. Idea is you leave it on the counter, its a self-service operation and customers can then pay without pestering staff. It's one of the few things I've come across that can be said to offer a prospect of a solid ROI to the retail side of the photography market. I'm sure in due course Kodak will roll this out into the UK and Europe.
As an internet based scanning operation I don't see this as deadly competition. It's a way of raising photo scanning in the minds of the consumer and it will confirm in peoples minds that Kodak is the premier name in imaging. Oh and I just love this image they have on the photo scanning page, thanks Kodak, that's just how Laura spends her time.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Comparative Speed Test
If you're considering investing in a new Kodak scanner this video gives an interesting insight into relative speeds of Kodak's current models.
Take into account cost per unit, reslience to machine faults, which would you go for? One big fast one or two slower models?
Jeff Underwood
1Scan
Photo scanning service
Take into account cost per unit, reslience to machine faults, which would you go for? One big fast one or two slower models?
Jeff Underwood
1Scan
Photo scanning service
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Brillianize Miser
We use Brillianize wipes to keep the two scanning glasses clean. They seem very expensive to me but they're worthwhile in improving the quality of photo scanning. The instructions are on the little packet but I was thrown when I was asked a simple question - why do you throw the wet one away and keep re-using the dry one?
So this last week, thanks to a sealable plastic bag, I've kept the wet part and used it a few times each day. Works a treat and you can call me miser any time.
So this last week, thanks to a sealable plastic bag, I've kept the wet part and used it a few times each day. Works a treat and you can call me miser any time.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
New Software Treasure Hunt
Just found out there's a new version of the Kodak software for our s1220. I've downloaded it and will install it shortly. Great news - this version seems to support Windows 7 which is installed on the most recent PC we've installed. Also a suggestion that the image order number will be improved so final numbering reflects what the client wants. Sounds vague I know but if you've been running an s1220 you'll know what I mean.
Small beef - I found this update by accident. We own many devices, not just scanners but Flip camera, iPods, all of which get upgraded by a clever system of automatic notifications usually when the device is connected. Even our Epsons, the workhorses of our photo scanning service, which run Silverfast, have a function which checks for software updates every month.
Come on Kodak, can't we have the same feature?
Jeff Underwood
www.1Scan.co.uk
Small beef - I found this update by accident. We own many devices, not just scanners but Flip camera, iPods, all of which get upgraded by a clever system of automatic notifications usually when the device is connected. Even our Epsons, the workhorses of our photo scanning service, which run Silverfast, have a function which checks for software updates every month.
Come on Kodak, can't we have the same feature?
Jeff Underwood
www.1Scan.co.uk
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Scanning Today
My apologies to the guy who rang earlier this afternoon and asked about throughput on our Kodak s1220. I have tried to email this to you but it bounces back. The answer to your question is that we've scanned 1421 standard sized photos today.
Small Problem, Solved
Normally we scan 99.9999% of our photos on our Kodak s1220 with any odd ones done on our Epson flatbed. Either those that are that bit too big for Kodak or ones that are too small, and normally its the tiddlers that are a problem.
So when I opened a box with a few hundred photos and about 20 sub passport sized prints dropped out I knew I had a problem. You see our Epson packed up and I'm waiting on a spare, and in the absence of the Epson those small pics would hold up the return of the complete batch. Not the best for customer service. Then I had a brainwave ....
I thought maybe, if I attach each small image to an upturned post-it note, it would be big enough to go through the s1220. Then I could open the scans in Photoshop and crop out the surplus yellow background. Amazing, it actually worked. One happy customer, one happy scanner.
Jeff Underwood
1Scan.co.uk
Photo scanning service
So when I opened a box with a few hundred photos and about 20 sub passport sized prints dropped out I knew I had a problem. You see our Epson packed up and I'm waiting on a spare, and in the absence of the Epson those small pics would hold up the return of the complete batch. Not the best for customer service. Then I had a brainwave ....
I thought maybe, if I attach each small image to an upturned post-it note, it would be big enough to go through the s1220. Then I could open the scans in Photoshop and crop out the surplus yellow background. Amazing, it actually worked. One happy customer, one happy scanner.
Jeff Underwood
1Scan.co.uk
Photo scanning service
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