Copy and Scan in one step? (Sharp MX-M363N)

[Ceechtay]

We have a customer with an MX-M363N, who would like to make a copy of a document and send a scan of the same document to a network folder as a PDF. They want this to be done in one operation. (It involves delivery drivers and they do not trust them to make a copy and then do the scan. The scan is necessary for their wokflow.)

Anyone know if this is at all possible?

I know uner Special Modes in Copy mode that I can make a copy and save the file to the copier's HDD. However, the file is a binary file. Anyone know if that binary file can be converted into a PDF? Otherwise it is only useful for making another hard copy from the copier.

(Special Modes in Image Send has similar function, where you can scan to a network folder and save a copy on the copier's HDD. However, no physical copy is made.)

Anyone know of any OSA application that may be able to do this?

Thanks for any help!

[Ceechtay]

Re: Copy and Scan in one step? (Sharp MX-M363N)

I haven't found any other alternatives. Therefore, I am going to recommend that they have the delivery drivers scan the documents to a network folder. A script will be running on that PC to check the folder every 5 seconds or so and do two things. First, it will print the file back to the copier. Second, it will move the file to the proper folder.

I've written some other scripts, so this one shouldn't be too difficult.

If anyone else has a different solution, I'd like to know.

Thanks.

[ledoux]

Re: Copy and Scan in one step? (Sharp MX-M363N)

Drivve OSA App will do this function but might be an expensive option for just that function. It takes the scan job and turns around and prints it from the server. What your doing would probably be the way to go from a cost stand point.

[Ceechtay]

Re: Copy and Scan in one step? (Sharp MX-M363N)

Thanks Ledoux.

I passed that on to our customer as another option. I already sent them a simple batch program that will get the job done as well (without any error checking or logging).

Here is the code:

@ECHO off
REM This batch file will use an infinite loop to continuously check a folder and 
REM print the file and then move it to proper folder

REM label for start of infinite loop
:BEGIN
REM do the for loop
FOR /r C:\Process-No %%X IN (*) DO (
IF EXIST %%X print /d:\\Tech-PC\TestPrint %%X
TIMEOUT /T 3 /NOBREAK
IF EXIST %%X move %%X  C:\Process-Done
)
TIMEOUT /T 3 /NOBREAK
GOTO :BEGIN

Basically, set up a shared printer (TestPrint) on a computer(Tech-PC) and set up two directories. The first directory receives the scans from the copier (in the above code it is the C:\Process-No directory). The second directory is the final destination for the scans after processing (C:\Process-Done).

In testing at the office, it worked very well. Do note, that in order to print a PDF using this method, the copier must have the PostScript option. Without PostScript, it will work fine with TIFFs.

[ledoux]

Re: Copy and Scan in one step? (Sharp MX-M363N)

Very cool thanks for sharing. I've been working on a similar project to redirect forwarded faxes in a folder to another printer and put them in an archive folder. Drivve is a pretty good program if the customer is utilizing it correctly. Just make sure the the minimum requirements are met. Have a had few complaints about lag time but it's always been the customer network that was the issue.