The Benefits of Microfilm and Microfiche Scanning

Microfiche and microfilm scanning services bring data collections to the modern age by converting them to a digital format. By updating data to more portable and easily-accessible formats, businesses are able to free up space and create an efficient archiving, access, and management system.

Businesses generate a tremendous amount of printed documentation, ranging from invoices and contracts to technical data such as blueprints and engineering drawings. When microforms were introduced, companies were able to reduce documents on paper to a fraction of the size of the original. Microfilm, microfiche, aperture cards and other micro-formats were the archiving standard until the 90s. Many organizations still rely on expensive, outdated microfilm readers to view their film archives.

However, the availability of new technology has made it possible to further compress the amount of data that can be stored in a single location. For instance, a single-page high-resolution document scan has a file size of 150 to 600 kbs. It is now possible to store an entire library on a single device. This frees up a significant amount of space, which organizations can repurpose for other uses. Another crucial benefit to microfiche and microfilm scanning is the ability to index key metadata. This further increases the value of the digitized archives by making it possible for users to quickly access and retrieve information on almost any device.

Why organization are moving away from Microfilm and Microfiche

The digital age is here. Digital files are much easier to manage, share and edit. Microfiche and microfilm require reader printers to magnify the contents for viewing. These devices are extremely expensive to maintain, which is why so many government offices are converting their film and fiche collections to digital.

There are several types of microfiche and microfilm, each varying in how they store data.

Differences between Microfilm and Microfiche

Microfilm and microfiche come in two sizes - 16mm and 35mm. Here are the main differences between microfilm and the microfiche.

Microfilm contains a roll of negative frames of images, while microfiche contains negative frames inside a plastic sleeve, is called a 'fiche'. Microfiche is typically structured in a logical way.

16mm microfilm accommodates about 2500 images to a reel, each frame measuring 16mm by 16mm in size. 35mm microfilm can store larger documents like newspapers and engineering drawings.  However, 35mm film typically holds only about 500 images.

16mm microfiche holds around 60 negative frames, whereas standard 35mm microfiche holds about 9 frames with double the parameters. While microfilm holds more files, they are not as easy to use as microfiche given their structured layout.

Get in touch with us to discuss digitizing your collection of microfilm or micfofiche.