Need some advice for a adf scanner

[Tsaico]

I have been put in charge of a scanning project of about 600 thousand paper files that need to be either scanned or shredded based on age. It is about 12 years worth of accounting, student performance/personal info, and HR files. I would say close to a third are probably out of date and should be shredded, but that still is a lot of loose pages in boxes that need to be scanned.

I am looking for a fast scanner that can handle at least 40 page stacks at a given time, and needs to be able to create a search pdf, preferably all in one step. Having it save directly to a SMB share is a great thing, but not a deal breaker.

My budget for the scanner is 1k.

Anyone here have some experience with this or suggestions. I have seen a bunch of different things, and they are either way too expensive (like 4 tousand buck) or don't seem to be a heavy duty scanner. There doesn't seem to be that middle ground, as I can find many cheaper units in the sub 500 dollar range, and then they just jump to a few thousand.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Here is a good site full of the sort of business class scanners you will need. http://www.scannerone.com/

I think this one would be a perfect match for your needs. Though tax and shipping will put it over your current budget.
http://www.scannerone.com/Xerox/x9750.html

 

[Lemon law]

If this is basically a one time thing, get all those back pages scanned, and then transition the office into routine electronic filing, you might investigate renting or leasing a very fast and more expensive than you could afford to buy business class scanner. And after all those back pages are scanned, terminate the lease. And then have enough left in the budget to buy something that will take care of daily scanning of records, and that unit does not have to be super fast or super expensive.

 

[Arcanedeath]

Leasing to own a business class Scanner/copier/printer would prob. be more cost effective solution in your situation, plus it would accomplish your goal much faster as you can get a very high quality unit vs buying one in your 1k budget, but it might end up costing more in the end depending on your lease. I've had good luck w/ Minolta scanner / copiers, but most business / comerical grade devices should fit your needs.