IDEAL now has the new releases of WiseImage software —  WiseImage 11 for AutoCAD and WiseImage 11 for Windows.  WiseImage is developed by CSoft and is intelligent raster software that lets you incorporate scanned drawings into CAD.     

WiseImage 11 for AutoCAD is the perfect complement to IDEAL’s scanning solutions.  With a Contex large format scanner from IDEAL, companies can scan their old paper drawings; and using WiseImage 11 for AutoCAD, they can incorporate the scanned raster data into the CAD environment, simply and easily.  This is done by adding native CAD-style raster editing and raster-to-vector conversion inside AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based verticals from Autodesk to facilitate revision creation and new drawing production. WiseImage 11 for AutoCAD includes all technology and research results from previous years and starts a new era with real integration of CAD and image processing. It supports the latest version of AutoCAD - AutoCAD 2009.

WiseImage 11 for AutoCAD offers a professional set of enhancement tools for converting those scanned drawings to CAD.  The tools can be applied to black/white as well as grayscale and color images. WiseImage allows users to edit, update, and convert (both semi-automatically and automatically) to vectors scanned maps, drawings, sketches, and other graphics. True ObjectARX technology, the ability to use AutoCAD dialogs and settings, and an advanced customizable interface, make WiseImage 11 from IDEAL a solution that is perfect for a wide range of applications - GIS, cadastral, aerial and satellite image processing, architecture, engineering, schematics and more. 

WiseImage 11 for Windows is the perfect combination of a 2D CAD package including an image processing application. It is ideal for editing drawings that have been scanned on an IDEAL/ Contex scanner because it blends raster and vector, productivity and precision, CAD functionality and image processing capabilities perfectly in one cost-effective application. It combines the power of a raster-vector (raster images overlaid with vector elements) editor and raster to vector converter with a complete set of powerful image processing tools. A native CAD-style interface with command line and layouts with viewports, combined with high-end image processing, results in a strong synergetic effect.

WiseImage 11 for Windows works with DWG files exactly as a CAD application and processes raster files as the best image processing application. This makes WiseImage 11 a one-stop-solution for a wide range of applications — GIS, cadastral, aerial and satellite image processing, architecture, engineering, schematics to mention but a few.

Whether you need to edit scanned drawings or integrate them into a CAD application, WiseImage 11 is a cost-effective and efficient way to work with your scanned raster images IDEAL scanning solutions and WiseImage Intelligent Raster technology are available through IDEAL’s extensive dealer network. 

If you have questions about WiseImage, you can reach me at idealblog@ideal.com.

We’ve been recognized again by Contex as the Distributor of the Year.  What an honor, and what a lot of hard work by our sales staff and our dealer channel.  Good work folks!  Thanks to Contex for having such great scanners.  Thanks also to all our customers.  Our job is to provide our customers with the best scanning hardware and the best application software for the jobs they need to do; we offer our solutions at the right price and we back up our products with customer support. From 2D scanning applications and online plan rooms to 3D printing services, IDEAL has solutions that work.

We’ve won the Distributor of the Year award in every consecutive year since 1998, and we also won it in 1993 and 1994.  We feature Contex large format scanners in solutions designed to help customers solve their large format problems. IDEAL’s solutions include scanning, indexing, archiving, scan to print, 2D to 3D conversions and 3D printing services. IDEAL’s solutions are designed to solve typical large format problems in the CAD, A/E/C, GIS, Color Graphics, and Reprographics markets.

Thanks again to all who have contributed to our success.

IDEAL.com has expanded into a second location in Rockville, Maryland. The Scanners & Systems division of IDEAL has moved into a newly decorated professional office located at 15737 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville Maryland. The IDEAL Reprographics division remains at 11810 Parklawn Drive in Rockville and is expanding into the area recently vacated by Scanners & Systems.

We were nearly bursting our seams at the Parklawn location, and that limited our ability to grow.  With two distinct aspects to our business–scanner sales and reprographic services—we thought it made sense to acquire space that would accommodate the needs of each division and allow each division to grow independently.

Our new location gives us a  professional office and demonstration environment for our scanner and software sales, and the revamped original location gives us a true production environment for our reprographic services, so we can better serve our customers.

Now that the dust has settled, we’re loving our new location at Crabbs Branch Way.  We have a large conference room and demo area, sales area, marketing department, accounting and administration offices. At the Parklawn Drive location we’re expanding our online PlanRoom development and 3D printing and conversion services and upgrading in order to continue to provide state of the art scanning, printing and document management services.

Stop by and see us.

With the introduction of Contex’s new HD line of scanners, IDEAL’s scan-to-print and scan-to-file solutions take a step forward in performance. The new line of scanners is now included in IDEAL’s ScanCENTRAL for world class scan-to-print image quality. IDEAL’s scan-to-file solutions benefit from faster scanning with the HD scanners’ new Extended Data Transfer Rate.

In addition, IDEAL’s solutions are enhanced further by the Contex HD scanners unmatched resolution, on-board image processing, true-to-life color and monochrome data capture, proven CCD technology, Accurate Lens Enhancement Technology (ALE) and precision color system. With instant-on, All Wheel Drive and one-touch functionality, these scanners are designed to meet the demands required by technical applications such as AEC, GIS and mapping as well as artistic applications such as graphics, fine art and photography, as well as all Reprographic applications.  

The new HD scanners include 25”, 36”, 42” and 54” models as well as an 18”x24” flatbed.  

Contact idealblog@ideal.com for more information.

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IDEAL has proudly posted the BERTL ‘Highly Recommended’ Four Star Award on four of the Contex scanners we distribute.   The Chroma, Crystal, Cougar and Chameleon all received this prestigious award from BERTL.    

 Chroma G600

The IDEAL / Contex Chroma G600 is a state-of-the-art, fast color scanner that can scan originals up to 42” wide. It is a high performance color scanner for the CAD, GIS, photo lab, and reprographics markets, and can scan originals as wide as 42” and of unlimited length.  IDEAL offers the Contex Chroma G600 as a stand-alone scanner, and also as part of its highly successful multifunctional ScanCentral solutions line, bundled with an HPT610. 

Here’s what BERTL says about the Chroma G600:  “BERTL highly recommends the Chroma G600 scanner. If uncompromised performance, quality, and a rich feature set are more important than a low price, this scanner will fit your needs well. It operates smoothly, and with the scanner’s high reliability, it should give you trouble-free operation for years to come. The scanner is therefore a recommended choice for the CAD, GIS, graphic arts, photo labs, and reprographic industries.” 

Crystal G600

The IDEAL / Contex Crystal G600 is a state-of-the-art, 42” wide, fast color scanner.  It is a midrange 42” wide color scanner for the CAD, GIS, photo lab, and reprographics markets.  During the month of February, the Crystal G600 is one of the scanners included in IDEAL’s promotions. 

BERTL says this about the Crystal G600:  “The Crystal G600 represents the best value for your money. Its combination of a midrange pricing, a 42”-wide scanning capability and fast black and white and moderate color scanning speed makes this scanner a good choice. It operates smoothly, and with the scanner’s high reliability, it should provide trouble-free operation for yearsto come. The scanner is therefore a recommended choice for the CAD, GIS, graphic arts, photo lab, and the reprographic industries. BERTL highly recommends the Contex Crystal G600.” 

Cougar G600

The IDEAL / Contex Cougar G600 is a state-of-the-art, 36” wide, very fast color scanner. It is a high performance 36” wide color scanner for the CAD, GIS, photo lab, and reprographics markets.  IDEAL recommends the Cougar for use with MyArchiveCenter.com for accurate archiving of all large format documents, whether color or black and white.   

BERTL says,  “The Contex Cougar G600 scanner is a feature-rich, reliable and high-quality scanner with a color capture accuracy that is among the best in the industry. It’s fast in black and white, graytone, and color…It’s best used as a high productivity scanner.  If uncompromised performance, quality, and a rich feature set are…important…, this scanner will fit your needs well. Its operations are smooth and with the scanner’s high reliability, it should give you trouble-freeoperation for years to come.”  C

hameleon G600

The IDEALn / Contex Chameleon G600 is a state-of-the-art, 36” wide, mid-speed color scanner. It is a mid-range performance 36” wide color scanner for the CAD, AEC, GIS, engineering and mapping market.Its speed and pricing make it particularly well suited for use with IDEAL’s Online PlanRoom for sharing construction drawings for collaboration and bid review.   

BERTL’s Four Star Report says , “The Chameleon G600 represents the best value for yourmoney. Its combination of a midrange pricing, a 36”-wide scanning capability and fast black and white and midrange color scanning speed makes this scanner a good choice. It operates smoothly, and with the scanner’s high reliability, it should provide trouble-free operation for years to come. The scanner is therefore a recommended choice for the CAD, AEC, GIS, engineering & mapping markets. BERTL highly recommends the Contex Chameleon G600.” 

The Chroma, Crystal, Cougar and Chameleon and other Contex scanners and IDEAL solutions are available through IDEAL’s nationwide authorized dealer channel.   

Does your company have CAD or paper construction or engineering drawings, blueprints, architectural renderings or other large format-related documents?  Do you need to manage the bid process for construction projects?  Would you like to preserve your paper drawings, as well as store, manage and access all your drawings – CAD drawings as well as scanned raster drawings?    Can you envision a scenario where the ability to gain secure access to your digital drawings remotely, from anywhere, at anytime (either for convenience or in the event of an emergency) could be helpful?  If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then an online plan room may be the solution for you. 

 IDEAL offers two “flavors” of plan room technology:  www.IDEALplanroom.net is a site designed for customers with active construction projects, who need to access drawings and manage bid projects, email lists, drawing revisions and more, while www.MyArchiiveCenter.com is a secure online repository, designed for online storage, access and distribution, without bid management tools. IDEAL’s www.IDEALplanroom.net is an application web site that lets you store, manage, share and distribute large format drawings, renderings and other project related images, drawings, and files. Users can create projects, upload documents and send invitations and notifications via email. Invited users can login and view the project information and documents using a web browser without any additional software or plug-ins. Users may also download documents and order prints, if permissions are given by the project owner. IDEALplanroom.net includes advanced features for managing all project-related activities including bid lists and responses, team members, discussions and more.  Schedule a no-obligation personal online demo of IDEALplanroom.net here. IDEAL’s www.MyArchiveCenter.com is a secure large format document repository, designed to provide a safe, easy-to-use online storage facility for all your large format scanned documents, large format projects and legacy drawings. Access your drawings and projects anytime you need them by logging into your account through any Internet browser.  Schedule a no-obligation personal online demo of MyArchveCenter.com here   

Today, as I was perusing the latest web entries about Enterprise Content Management (ECM) I came upon some interesting statistics that were quoted in an article by a ComputerWorld UK reporter (unfortunately, the reporter is nameless, so I can’t give him/her a plug.)  According to this nameless reporter, “Demand for enterprise content management systems will climb sharply over the next five years.”  The nameless reporter goes on to quote statistics from a company called Datamonitor:  “research among 800 CIOs and IT managers showed that on average four out of five companies are deploying some form of a content management system…(and) that the market as a whole will register compound annual growth rate of 13% in the next few years.”  

According to the article, Datamonitor also feels that these ECM systems are often “limited in scope, addressing only a particular information management challenge, such as records management or digital asset management.”

Unfortunately, one type of digital asset is frequently overlooked when organizations plan their ECM system…large format digital assets such as construction drawings and engineering schematics for an organization’s buildings and infrastructure.  A company’s digital assets are not limited to letter-size documents, but often included these kinds of large format assets as well.  Hosted products such as IDEAL’s MyArchiveCenter.com and IDEALplanroom.net can fill the large format gaps left in many organizations’ ECM systems. 

MyArchiveCenter.com and IDEALplanroom.net not only serve as a way to effectively store and manage large format digital assets, but also as an effective way to facilitate online communication and collaboration on the drawings.  Whether the need is to communicate and collaborate on an enterprise’s current construction projects, or whether the need is to communicate building layouts in an emergency situation, IDEAL’s online large format document management solutions work.

 People often ask me about security for their large format drawings.  Our hosted solutions reside in a secure Level 3 datacenter and are managed by Global Archives, an IDEAL Strategic Business Partner. The center is designed as a disaster recovery center and sits on the Internet backbone. Data resides on secure socket layer servers providing 256 bit encryption and employs user authentication policies. Concurrent operations provide primary and secondary access with automated backup services. 

One of the advantages of dealing with IDEAL for large format ECM is our ability to provide the scanning technology necessary to convert old paper drawings to digital.   Whether organizations want to purchase a scanner and do it themselves, or have our scanning services do it for them, we’ve got the total large format ECM solution. 

ScanCENTRAL single foot print color scan, copy and print systems are IDEAL’s latest bundle offerings.  ScanCENTRAL is a great way to get all of the equipment you need for scan-to-print from one vendor at one time.  We like to say it’s the convenience of multi-function with the benefits of individual components.  ScanCENTRAL is available in three different models:  the ScanCENTRAL X44,  ScanCENTRAL X36 and ScanCENTRAL X24.  IDEAL’s adjustable stand allows users to set up ScanCENTRAL systems in a single-foot print configuration, by raising the stand and mounting the scanner over top of the printer; or, users can lower the stand to traditional height and set up the printer and the scanner side-by-side if that suits their work flow better.  Three different bundles cover a range of users needs:   

• IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X44 is a single foot print, stand-alone, color scan to print system with high graphic reproduction capabilities that is perfect for Reprographics, Copy Shops, Imaging, GIS and anyone that needs high end graphic images. IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X44 is a computer-driven scan to print system featuring an integrated solution of hardware and software. It consists of an IDEAL/Contex 42″ wide large format scanner, adjustable stand to incorporate both scanner and printer in one single footprint, color copying software for performing all the calculations for color management matching and matching color from scan to print, and a high speed 44” color printer. The system is network ready and includes online image backup, storage and remote viewing for approval process. IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X44 is a high-end scan to print system designed to fit your needs.

• IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X36 is a single foot print, stand-alone, color scan to print system with high speed and high performnce that are perfect for GIS, CAD, and MCAD Applications. Scan, print and copy E size originals including blueprints, maps, and color renderings, IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X36 is a computer-driven scan to print system featuring an integrated solution of hardware and software. It consists of an IDEAL/Contex 36″ wide large format scanner, adjustable stand to incorporate both scanner and printer in one single footprint, color copying software for performing all the calculations for color management matching and matching color from scan to print, and a high speed 36” color printer. The system is network ready and includes online image backup, storage and remote viewing for approval process. IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X36 is a high speed, high performance scan to print system designed to fit your needs.

• IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X24 is a single foot print, stand-alone, color scan to print system with resolutions comparable to high-end systems and speeds that are perfect for entry level D size review for Engineering, Architecture, Display Providers or Mapping. Scan, print and copy D size originals including blueprints, maps, color renderings, posters, and artwork. IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X24 is a computer-driven scan to print system featuring an integrated solution of hardware and software. It consists of an IDEAL/Contex 25″ wide large format scanner, adjustable stand to incorporate both scanner and printer in one single footprint, color copying software for performing all the calculations for color management matching and matching color from scan to print, and a high speed 24” color printer. The system is network ready and includes online image backup, storage and remote viewing for approval process. IDEAL ScanCENTRAL X24 is a low-cost scan to print system designed to fit your needs.

 ScanCENTRAL systems offer great value and versatility.  They are network ready, with the added feature of online backup, storage and remote viewing for your image files on MyArchiveCenter.com. As with all IDEAL systems, ScanCENTRAL can grow as your needs change.  You can add WiseImage software for raster editing, or you can upgrade MyArchiveCenter to a full-featured online planroom on IDEALplanroom.net . For questions or comments, contact me directly at idealblog@ideal.com

IDEAL’s versatile Scanning System³ lets you can turn your large format inkjet into a color copier; send scans to remote printers on the network and collaborate in a secure hosted environment.     To build your Scanning System³,  start with any 36” or 42” IDEAL / Contex scanner model and add IDEAL’s SFP353 adjustable scanner stand, which will “piggy-back” over top of your HP, Canon, Epson or other large format printer. 

Then, choose JETimage^NET scan to print software as your scanner operating system.   JETimage^NET scan to print software can be used as copy software to send directly to the local printer, and it can also send scans to remote printers on the network, as well as scanning to file for archiving purposes.  JETimage^NET supports both color and black and white copying and scanning, with fast high-quality color-matched copies.

Add a subscription to MyArchiveCenter.com, IDEAL’s hosted archiving and collaboration solution and you’re ready to go.  MyArchiveCenter.com offers a low-cost way to archive and back-up files as well as a fast and easy way to share and collaborate on drawings in a Level 3 secure environment.  Server-side thin client ensures fast view of large scanned files on any internet browser. 

 A point of interest…All drawings uploaded to MyArchiveCenter.com are maintained in a secure Level 3 datacenter and managed by Global Archives, an IDEAL Strategic Business Partner. The center is designed as a disaster recovery center and sits on the Internet backbone. Data resides on secure socket layer servers providing 256 bit encryption and employs user authentication policies. Concurrent operations provide primary and secondary access with automated backup services. If you have any questions about IDEAL’s Scanning System³, or anything else IDEAL, you can reach me at idealblog@ideal.com