Imaging Technology Group (ITG) reports that users of its document imaging system (see Concrete Products, May 2007, p. 50) have expressed considerable
Imaging Technology Group (ITG) reports that users of its document imaging system (see Concrete Products, May 2007, p. 50) have expressed considerable interest in the Web Access module option. Without modification to existing accounting software, ITG clients are reportedly realizing the benefits of capturing electronically all batch tickets, invoices, credits, statements, purchase orders, and A/P checks as they are printed. When the imaging server automatically receives a copy of each printed document, index fields such as Customer Number, Customer Name, and Ticket Number are extracted to facilitate rapid retrieval of information following its storage for future use.
Now, ITG clients seek to extend greater convenience to their customers by means of Web Access, enabling contractors to obtain copies of documents around the clock directly from the imaging system. Additionally, producers note savings in both time and associated costs due to decreased call volume, calculated in one case as up to 300 calls per month.
To provide a client’s customers secure access 24/7 to copies of their documents in the imaging system, ITG sets up a hosted web server in its data center. Modifying the backup process of the producer’s live imaging server enables a second incremental backup to run after the normal tape backup finishes each night, thereby copying all of the new or changed data onto the mirrored server. In the event of damage to a facility that impairs its imaging server, all data remains available on the off-site web server.
A web page is created by ITG with appropriate graphics on the hosted web server. Unlike imaging screens viewed by the producer, a Îfill in the blankÌ screen featuring a box for Batch Ticket Number, Invoice Number, P.O. Number, Statement Date, etc., is seen by customers. After filling in appropriate blanks, they submit the request, whereupon the web server retrieves the images, converts them to PDF format, and displays them for viewing, printing, or downloading. Customers using Web Access must be given a valid user ID and a password. Moreover, searches are restricted by built-in security measures to those documents stored in a customer’s own folder. Accordingly, ITG asserts that the Web Access module fulfills multiple purposes: providing convenient and secure access for customers to obtain copies of documents at any time, without staff intervention; offering a more efficient and professional customer service experience; and, creating a reliable disaster recovery plan for the imaging server and data.
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