Overview

The TSS Imaging system allows you to manage document types of any kind via your TSS Unix system. The system is optimized to handle scanned images in the TIF format. The TIF format is commonly used in document imaging for bitonal high quality images. Supporting any scanner that produces TIF image single-page documents the system is flexible and scalable to meet your needs now, and in the future.

Back Office

Your TSS Unix server is used to store and index the scanned images, the images are backed up using your existing TSS backup software (BackupEDGE), which means images can be archived on tape for easy retrieval if needed.

Depending on image complexity and image quality selected in the scanning software the system stores between 10,000 and 20,000 images for each GB of disk space.

User Interface

The image display and image indexing routines are handled via a standard web browser interface. Using Apache webserver software on the Unix machine, the system provides a flexible way for workstations inside (and optionally outside) your firewall to view and manipulate images.

Currently the system is tested with Internet Explorer version 6, support for other versions, and Mozilla based browsers is under development. The browser displays the TIF images using the standard TIF image viewer defined in the file types for each desktop. Windows XP users have TIF image viewing turned on by defaults, earlier versions of Windows may require some configuration to view images properly.

The indexing routine can use a special TIF viewer if desired that allows easy zooming and panning, 2 TIF viewers tested with the system include; InterneTIFF and TIFFSurfer.

Scanning Instructions

Open a browser to http://scanning.yourserver.com/imaging/ this should open a page like the following.

Options:

Scan Documents – If configured is a hyperlink to the desired scanning software. Usually software provided by the scanner manufacturer.

Index Scanned Document – Open a new windows and displays any documents that have been scanned, but are not yet indexed. If a document is indexed to an invalid reference the document will remain on this screen until properly indexed.

Document Search By Reference – Prompts for a reference number, and searches the index database for matches or partial matches, if found the matches are listed and can be clicked to view the full image.

View Document List – This is an administrator only function which is only for use in exception situations when an invalid index needs to be changed or deleted.

Maintain Document Type -- This is an administrator only function used to maintain the list of types that a document can be categorized as.

Configuration File -- This is an administrator only function.

Index Scanned Document

The number of documents should match the number you scanned (unless some images were left un-indexed from the previous batch). Each image is prompted for in the left frame, click (or tab) into each box, the image in the right frame will re-display to show you the related image. Enter the proper reference number in the box, and tab to move down. If you need to zoom, or pan the image on the right you may need to click in the yellow box again to return focus to the prompt.

The index should be entered in the format TT-RRRRRRRRRR where TT is the document type, and R is the (alpha-numeric reference), the dash is required.

When all indexes are entered click the UPDATE button to process the page. The system will validate the indexes against logic defined during the installation. The success or failure of the index procedure will be displayed.

Any image indicated as INVALID! Will show again in the indexing routine.

Any image indicated as OK! Is immediately available to any user do an image lookup, you can used the Document Search by Reference to verify documents are indexed correctly (not required).

Document Search By Reference

The basic search screen allows you to search the indexed database for matching documents. The search function can also be incorporated into websites as part of an existing page or as its own page (with appropriate instructions and security). The basic search allows you to enter either a TSS F/B# or reference number. Failed search return an empty list.

Successful search display a list of documents related to the search parameter. Basic info about each image is displayed. The small image to the left is not an actual thumbnail, but can be configured to be a visual indicator of the document type (BL vs. DR, etc.)

Click on the image to display the full image in a new window, when you are finished with an image, close its window and you should return to this screen. When you are done reviewing the images click [BACK] to return to the search entry.

To download the full image, do a right click on the small image and use “SAVE TARGET AS”.

View Document List

The document list is a simple file maintenance screen for the index database. It contains all information needed to return search results.

Maintain Document Type

Allows easy changing and additions of document categories.

TSS System Integration

The imaging system can be used as a document management system, especially when integrated into an existing website for users to search and manipulate documents, however the real power behind the system is integration into you existing TSS system. Based on existing version, and any custom modifications made to you software we can integrate the image lookups right where you need them. The most common interface points are:

As a standalone lookup, by hitting CTRL-Y

Using a PowerTerm emulator under any Windows OS, the reference number is prompted for and if found is displayed. Invalid references will show:

Successful searches will display: