Microfilm has been a cornerstone of document preservation since the mid-1800s, capturing billions of pages of vital records ranging from birth certificates to financial documents. The technology gained significant traction in the 1920s when New York City banker Georger McCarthy patented a process for the permanent storage of cancelled cheques and other financial instruments. This led to widespread adoption across various sectors, particularly government agencies which relied on microfilm for archiving essential documents.
In Vancouver, BC, Micro Com Systems has been at the forefront of this archival revolution, offering comprehensive microfilm scanning services. Over the years, numerous city, municipal, and provincial government clients have entrusted their records—ranging from land titles and adoption records to banking and insurance documents—to microfilm for safe and cost-effective storage.
The 1990s saw a paradigm shift from microfilm to digital formats, driven by advancements in digitization technologies. Micro Com Systems recognized this trend early on and began offering digitization services. The company first acquired microfilm digitization equipment in 1998 and has since updated its technology to include a fleet of eight Sunrise microfilm digitizers. This allows them to efficiently convert microfilm, microfiche, and aperture cards to digital formats, making the information easily accessible and shareable.
Despite 26 years of dedicated scanning and digitizing efforts, Micro Com Systems reports that there is still a vast amount of microfilm awaiting conversion. This highlights the immense volume of historical records preserved on microfilm and underscores the ongoing need for reliable digitization services.
Micro Com Systems has been a trusted provider of Document Management Solutions since 1975. Their extensive range of services includes Document Imaging & Management, Archival & Book Scanning, Medical Imaging, OCR, Large Format Scanning, Microfilm Scanning, Aperture Card Scanning, Enterprise Report Management (ERM), High Speed Printing, Capture Software, and Capture Equipment. For more information, visit https://www.microcomsys.com/.
