Software Bundles
Almost all scanners come bundled with different types of scanning software. Though bundles vary by scanner and price, packages usually include a driver program, color calibration software, and applications like OCR or image-editing programs. Driver programs enable the computer and scanner to communicate and operate off of an industry standard known as TWAIN.

For color calibration programs and other applications such as OCR be sure to check the software versions. Manufacturers sometimes bundle bare bones software packages that force you to upgrade in order to take advantage of the full potential of the program. With the right software, a scanner can also double as a copier or fax machine. Manufacturers usually offer different types of bundles - be selective and choose the package that best meets your scanning needs.

Connections and Requirements
Don't forget about your computer when choosing scanners, as the requirements of certain scanners could exceed the capabilities of your machine. For example, you'd be stuck when your scanner needs 64MB RAM and your computer only has 32MB. Also consider the ports on your computer and what connections are required by a scanner.

Most scanners can be connected by USB, SCSI, or parallel ports, but there is a definite speed difference among the three. SCSI and USB ports are much faster than the more common parallel port. If your computer doesn't have a SCSI or USB connection, you might want to consider purchasing an adapter card to keep the traffic from scanner to computer running smoothly.

Automatic Document Feeders
If you are planning on using your scanner for large data entry projects, an automatic document feeder (ADF) should be high on the list of required add-ons. ADFs substitute for manually scanning individual pages.

If data entry is your intended use for a scanner, also inquire about scanning speed and whether OCR software is bundled with the machine. Another interesting add-on is a transparency adapter which enables the scanner to read transparencies and film negatives.

Copyright Issues
Deciding the legalities of making digital reproductions can often be a thorny issue. If you plan on scanning images or materials that were not produced by your business, you should look into copyright rules and regulations. For more on copyright information, check out Copyright Concerns in our Articles section.