TWAIN

Let’s face it—efficiency is everything in today’s digital world. Office equipment dealers and manufacturers, it’s time to level up. Embedding TWAIN Direct in copiers and scanners is a game-changing move that’ll transform how businesses handle document workflows—and trust me, it’s about time.

So, what exactly is TWAIN Direct and why should you care? Let’s dive in.

What is TWAIN Direct?

Forget the old-school ways of scanning. TWAIN Direct is a driver-less protocol that lets scanners connect directly to software applications over the network. No more messy drivers, no more IT headaches—just seamless, faster, more secure scanning. Whether it’s cloud-based or on-prem, it’s ready for the future.

Why Does TWAIN Direct Matter for ERP Integration?

ERP systems are the heartbeat of modern business—everything from accounting to HR to inventory management runs through them. So, what if you could scan documents directly into your ERP system without the hassle of file transfers or manual uploads? Here’s why TWAIN Direct makes that possible:

• Instant Data Capture
  Think about scanning invoices, contracts, or orders directly into your ERP system—and bam, they’re instantly ready to go. No more waiting or losing documents in transit. Instant. Done.
• Streamlined Workflows
  TWAIN Direct removes the need for scanning software and drivers, so documents go straight from the copier to your ERP modules. AP? HR? Inventory? Less work, fewer mistakes. Think about how often Microsoft knocks out your scan2folder or scan2email settings.
• OCR for Next-Level Accuracy
  Pair TWAIN Direct with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for accurate, actionable data. It’s not just about getting the document in; it’s about making sure it’s 100% ready for action in the system.
• Cloud-Ready
  Whether you’re on the cloud or keeping it old-school on-prem, TWAIN Direct talks to whatever you’re running, future-proofing your hardware.

How TWAIN Direct Transforms ERP Systems

Let’s break it down across popular ERP platforms:

• SAP: Scan invoices directly into Materials Management for faster approvals (hello, speed).
• Oracle NetSuite: Attach scanned purchase orders directly to transactions. More visibility, less stress.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365: Drop scanned contracts straight into your CRM. Easy customer record management.
• Infor: Shipping documents go straight to supply chain management. No more paperwork piling up.
• Workday: HR documents get digitized and uploaded directly into employee profiles. Simple.
• Searer Business Technology: SBT has upgraded their existing TWAIN Classic ERP application and added TWAIN Direct compatibility

Real-World Game Changers

Here’s how TWAIN Direct can make your work life a whole lot easier:

• Accounts Payable: Scan an invoice and have it automatically routed to the AP module. No more manual sorting. Just automated approvals.
• HR: Scanning resumes, compliance forms, and onboarding docs directly into HR systems saves time and keeps everything in order.
• Supply Chain: Shipping docs get uploaded instantly, no delays, no mess. Everything tracked and ready in the system.
• Future-Proof Technology: By standardizing on an open-source protocol, this ensures that technology can be supported now, as well as in the long term.

Why Should Office Equipment Dealers Care?

If you’re in the business of selling office equipment, it’s not just about slinging copiers—it’s about offering real solutions. TWAIN Direct is a goldmine, and here’s why:

• Stand Out: Stop selling just another copier. Offer a solution that solves real business problems. You’re not just a vendor; you’re a partner.
• Future-Proof Your Gear: The world is going cloud-first. Make sure your hardware is ahead of the curve with TWAIN Direct.
• Customer Loyalty: Help businesses improve their workflows and reduce headaches, and they’ll keep coming back. Build relationships, not just transactions.
• Increase Revenue: With Centralized Management of devices, this makes adding MFP’s quicker and easier which directly results in increased revenue for both hardware as well as software.

Why Should Copier Manufacturers Care?

• Future-Proofing for Cloud-First Businesses
  As more businesses adopt cloud-based ERP systems, TWAIN Direct ensures seamless integration with these platforms, keeping copiers and scanners relevant in the digital-first workplace.
• Competitive Differentiation and Customer Loyalty
  Offering direct-to-ERP scanning capabilities sets manufacturers apart in a crowded market, creating opportunities for long-term customer relationships and recurring revenue streams.
• Enhancing MFP Functionality
  TWAIN Direct turns multifunction printers (MFPs) into powerful workflow hubs by enabling direct scanning to ERP systems, streamlining processes, and improving efficiency without additional software.
• ISV’s prefer develop-once, support many

Software companies must carefully consider allocating development resources for projects and their technology roadmap. Therefore, creating TWAIN Direct integration is a very solid strategy because one development can support all hardware manufacturers and is also device independent, so this saves lots of support time, money and effort in the long run.

Overcoming the Hurdles

Of course, no tech is perfect. Here’s what to watch for with TWAIN Direct:

• ERP Compatibility: Not every ERP system supports TWAIN Direct out of the box. You might need some custom API work or middleware. But hey, that’s where the fun is, right?
• Network Security: Make sure your copier and ERP system are talking securely. No one likes a hack.
• Custom Workflows: Some businesses might need specific setups to really maximize TWAIN Direct’s power.
• Ecosystem Solutions: Adding additional capability to TWAIN Direct such as Verve Capture adds the ability to create smart data from images.

My Two Cents

TWAIN Direct is more than just another feature—it’s a radical shift in how businesses will manage document workflows in the future. Real-time data capture, smoother processes, less IT overhead, and a major upgrade for any ERP system. For dealers, it’s your chance to be at the forefront of the future of office tech.

If you’re ready to offer your customers more than just a copier—if you want to be part of the future, not the past—TWAIN Direct is the way to go. Efficiency isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it’s the new standard. Let’s make sure your customers are ready for it.

-=Good Selling=-

11/13-11/14 2024

Last week, I had the privilege of attending and sponsoring the TWAIN Working Group Developers Conference in Safety Harbor, Florida—and let me tell you, it was an incredible experience!

As many of you know, my background has always been rooted in the copier side of our business. The analog-to-digital shift forced me to expand my expertise into printers, networks, and scanning. Attending this conference opened my eyes to the vast potential of scanners and the technology that drives them.

The highlight for me was Developer Day, where a talented group of developers showcased how they used the TWAIN Direct scanner API protocol to create innovative software applications for scanners.

For those unfamiliar, TWAIN Direct is an open-source software protocol designed to simplify and modernize document scanning workflows. TWAIN has a long successful history with TWAIN drivers which required a local ‘scanner driver’ installation on a PC and using the USB interface. However, TWAIN Direct leverages network interfaces such as ethernet or WiFi which provides direct communication between scanners and applications, eliminating the need to install ANY software whatsoever. This is because TWAIN Direct is inside of the scanner itself and not installed on a computer.

Coming from the MFP (multi-function printer) side of our industry, I immediately recognized the tremendous value of TWAIN Direct software. I strongly believe that every MFP manufacturer should embed this technology into their devices. It has the potential to significantly enhance the functionality of MFP scanners for end users and increase client satisfaction.

While I’m still learning the intricacies of this technology, it’s clear to me that manufacturers can elevate MFP scanners by integrating open-source solutions like TWAIN Direct. One attendee shared an insightful observation: “Scanning isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, open-source software like TWAIN Direct will take our MFP scanners to the next level.”

With these advancements, we can add features to our MFP scanners that were previously unavailable, making them more powerful and adaptable for today’s users. I’m excited to see how this technology continues to evolve and enhance our industry.

TWAIN Direct

Key Features of TWAIN Direct:

1. Driverless Scanning:
2. • Eliminates the need for installing and maintaining scanner drivers on end-user devices.
   • Enables out-of-the-box scanning on compatible devices.
3. Cloud and Network Integration:
4. • Works seamlessly with cloud-based workflows and networked environments.
   • Allows applications to communicate with scanners over networks, including Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
5. Platform Independence:
6. • Operates across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even mobile platforms, since it uses a RESTful API.
7. Ease of Development:
8. • Provides a developer-friendly interface for building scanning capabilities into applications.
   • Uses modern technologies like JSON and HTTP, making it accessible for web and software developers.
9. Advanced Capabilities:
10. • Supports features like multi-page document scanning, image compression, and metadata handling.
    • Enables scalable deployment for enterprise environments, where multiple scanners may need to connect to centralized systems.
11. Enhanced User Experience:
12. • Simplifies the scanning process for end users with fewer setup steps.
    • Supports user-friendly interfaces with better integration into applications.

Applications of TWAIN Direct:

• Managed Print Services (MPS): Streamlining document capture in office environments.
• Cloud-based Workflows: Scanning directly to cloud storage or document management systems.
• Mobile and Web Apps: Scanning directly from networked devices to mobile or browser-based applications.

TWAIN Direct is particularly useful in industries that rely on efficient document management workflows, such as healthcare, legal, finance, and education. It represents the next step in simplifying and modernizing document scanning technology.

TWAIN Working Group Developers Conference was a pivotal experience  for me. It wasn’t just about learning new technology; it was about seeing the possibilities for how we can reshape and enhance the way we approach scanning in our industry. The event brought together some of the brightest minds, all focused on innovation and collaboration, and it left me inspired and eager to bring these ideas back to the office. If you’re in the MFP or imaging space, I can’t stress enough how important it is to stay ahead of the curve—and events like this are where that happens.

-=Good Selling=-

Please reach out to me if you'd like to know more

TWAIN Working Group Announces ‘Lifetime Dedication to TWAIN’ Award to Jon Harju and Formation of TWAIN Advisory Council

TWAIN celebrates significant contributions of the past, present and future with new award and Council

Raleigh, NC – November 8, 2023 – The TWAIN Working Group (TWG), a not-for-profit organization providing and fostering a universal public standard for image acquisition devices, announced today that it will award their first ‘Lifetime Dedication to TWAIN’ award to Jon Harju. Additionally, the TWAIN Working Group is announcing the formation of a new TWAIN Advisory Council.

Jon Harju has a significant history as the TWAIN Working Group Chairperson and board member. Jon spent over twenty-five years volunteering his development skills and guidance to TWAIN Classic and TWAIN Direct specifications. Jon’s longstanding participation and contributions were key to the development of these protocols.

The TWAIN Working Group is also pleased to announce the formation of the ‘TWAIN Advisory Council (TAC)’. The purpose of the TWAIN Advisory Council is to solicit feedback and direction for the Working Group from experts who are not active members. The TWAIN Advisory Council members will include past TWAIN Working Group leadership and well-respected industry leaders. Initial members include Jon Harju, Pamela Doyle, John Capurso, Priscillia Emery and Peter Bedell.

“I’m honored to receive this ‘Lifetime Dedication to TWAIN’ award. TWAIN participation has been a large part of my career and afforded me unique opportunities to meet and work with great people across the industry,” said Jon Harju. “My renewed involvement is an opportunity to give back to TWAIN, I’m excited to join the newly formed Advisory Council and work closely with the Group to assist with adoption of modern driver free, network and cloud scanning with the TWAIN Direct standard.”

“Jon Harju’s lifetime contributions to TWAIN exemplify the dedication required to embrace, advocate for, and ultimately help a non-profit organization such as TWAIN Working Group and the TWAIN standard realize wide industry acceptance,” stated Joseph Odore, TWAIN Working Group Chair. “The TWAIN Working Group is proud to recognize major contributors of the past, present and future. TWAIN’s success results from countless years of volunteer commitment from the entire TWAIN community. The TWAIN Working Group looks forward to supporting our memberships through activities such our new Lifetime Dedication award and Advisory Council. Please consider a non-profit donation or becoming a member today.”

About The TWAIN Working Group

The TWAIN Working Group, established in 1992, is a not-for-profit association of industry leaders who have gathered to create a standard that benefits the imaging industry as a whole. TWAIN's purpose is to provide and foster a universal public standard which links applications and image acquisition devices. The ongoing mission of this organization is to continue to enhance the standard to accommodate future technologies. TWAIN generates multiple opportunities for application developers and users to access information and broaden the standard; through a developer’s forum, main website and online self-certification process. Current members of the TWAIN Working Group include P3iD Technologies, Inc., ExactCODE GmbH, PFU America Inc., Kodak Alaris, InoTec – a Datawin GmbH brand, Plustek, Inc., Atalasoft, Microtek, Inc., Dynamsoft, Epson America, Inc., LEAD Technologies, Hewlett Packard and PDF Association. More information about Developers Day participation and sponsorship, PDF/R, the TWAIN API and imaging standards can be obtained at pdfraster.org, twain.org and twaindirect.org.