What is OMR? - OMR or Optical Mark Read is HIGH SPEED DATA CAPTURE using either a pencil or pen to fill in selected "bubbles" on a form. The form is then read in a high speed reader. Popular uses for this type of data capture are Lottery Tickets, Surveys and Student Testing. OMR readers typically come in two varieties, Full Sheet Readers and, Card Readers While there are differences in the physical characteristics of each type, they both serve the same purpose, to collect and interpret data in a low-cost, high volume arena. OMR is used in any application where a mark represents character information to be processed in a manner that is VERY EASY for the end-user to fill out and the programmer to utilize the data. You could for example, survey the guests in your hotel, test students and give them their results (including reports before they leave your classroom), administer time and attedance for your company or school, determine effectiveness of speaker evaluations at seminars, etc. Advatages of using OMR versus manual key-entry are... Accuracy - The source document is the input document, eliminating the risk of manually key-entering wrong information. Speed - Depending on the scanner model, an OMR reader can read documents at speeds up to 8000 forms per hour. A typical Full Sheet OMR reader for example will have up to 3840 possible mark-character interpretations per side, and if a form used only 250 marks, this would equate to 2,000,000 data characters per hour. Cost - Time and money are saved by increasing accuracy and decreasing the time and numbers of personnel needed to complete a data entry project. This is an example of the marking area on an OMR form: What are Full Sheet Readers? - Full Sheet OMR Readers are peripheral data input devices that will accept documents as small as 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" up to 8 1/2" x 11". They generally have a matrix array of up to 48 channels across the form and up to 80 "Timing Marks". They are software driven and the user can pre-define the output of the data that is scanned. A typical Full Sheet Reader can process up to 8000 sheets per hour, and can read both sides of a document in one pass. Also, some of them will read marks using either a pencil or a pen. What are OMR Card Readers? - OMR Card Readers are peripheral data input devices which can accept documents 3 1/2" wide and up to 13" in length. They have a matrix array of 12 channels across the form and up to 80 "Timing Marks" for data input. Card Readers connect to a PC usually thru a COM port. They are software driven and the user can pre-define the output of the data that is scanned. They can be either manual or automatic feed, and can read both sides of a document in one pass. What is MRC Numbering? - Machine Read Coding or MRC is a method of producing a Sequential Binary Number to DataCards and certain high-speed Full Sheet Document Readers. If document security, multiple forms per record, or batch processing is required, then MRC is highly recommended. This coding scheme eliminates hand entry where critical document information is required. MRC is a specialty option used exclusively by Clearview on DataCards. support@clearview-printing.com info@clearview-printing.com Phone: (215) 860-2244 Fax: (215) 860-2387 114 Pheasant Run Newtown, PA 18940 Home | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright (c) 1996-2004 Clearview Printing Company Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.