In an increasingly digital world, scanners and scanner accessories provide the critical link between the physical word and the digital world. Most scanners are great for scanning images and importing text, but you can increase the functionality and efficiency of scanners with accessories to help scanners scan documents and import them in the format you need.

It's also important to perform regular cleaning maintenance on a scanner to ensure the scanner has a long life and provides maximum performance. You can find scanner accessories to help with the cleaning of your business' scanner. Consider the following when looking for scanner accessories:

1. Keep scanners clean with scanner cleaning kits.

2. Add functionality to scanners with scanner accessories.

3. Increase the efficiency of scanners with scanner accessories.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a scanner accessories provider offering scanner cleaning kits

It's critical the glass of a scanner be kept clean at all times to protect it from scratches. Regular cleaning of scanner glass is also important for the quality of the imported image or text because dust and debris can be picked up during scanning and alter the image or text.

I recommend: Look over a scanner accessories list for cleaning kits that offer a glass cleaning solution and a soft cloth to remove fine dust and debris from scanner glass. Meta Enterprises' ScanStore and B & H Foto & Electronics offer scanner cleaning kits.

Look for scanner accessories to help your business scan and convert important documents

Most scanners, in conjunction with a software program, will scan text and turn the text into a digital text document. However, for when your business needs to transfer text into Adobe's PDF format or when you need to scan a transparency document, you'll need an accessory.

I recommend: Get a transparency module to turn transparencies into digital text documents from Super Warehouse. Use a document scanner, available from PC Universe, to make a true digital copy of documents using the PDF format. CardScan offers a scanner add-on which allows your business to scan business cards and directly import them into many different address book software platforms.

Use scanner accessories to increase the efficiency of scanners

When your business needs to scan many documents a one time, an auto sheet feeder can increase efficiency by automatically loading documents into the scanner.

I recommend: Adorama Camera and PC connection offer auto sheet feeder for scanners. Most auto sheet feeders are made for use with a specific scanner, so make sure to purchase an auto sheet feeder that works with your business scanner.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Clean pictures and documents before inserting them into a scanner to help protect the scanner's glass. When shopping for scanner accessories, look for a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris from pictures and documents.