IT Pro Verdict
The DR-C240’s space-saving design is a definite plus, the CaptureOnTouch utility makes it supremely easy to use, and the price looks like good value. Just remember to factor in the additional cost of network support if you need it, plus document-management software.
Pros
- +
Excellent OCR; Strong cloud support;
Cons
- -
No bundled document-management software; Requires host PC or additional networking gear;
Canon's compact imageFormula DR-C240 measures less than 30cm across but packs in fast scan speeds - 30ppm in colour at 200dpi, 45ppm in mono - and a generous 60-page capacity ADF. If you're short on desk space, it's a tempting option.
As it comes, the device connects only via USB and hence requires a host PC. It can, however, be networked with an optional 85 Silex SX-DS-4000U2 USB device server. You can also broaden its versatility by adding Canon's A4 FB-101 (331 exc VAT) or A3 FB-201 (557 exc VAT) flatbed scanners, which connect directly to the DR-C240 via USB.
Setting up the software on a Windows 10 desktop took 15 minutes. We also loaded the eCopy PDF Pro Office 6 tool and used the second disc to install Kofax VRS (VirtualReScan) image-enhancement software.
It's important to note that this bundle doesn't include document-management software, so you'll need to source this separately. But otherwise, it's a good set of software. CaptureOnTouch is great for setting up quick-scan operations, allowing us to use its well-designed interface to create multiple shortcuts, linking different scan modes with a choice of destinations.
To do this, we created document profiles. First we chose from colour or mono, then selected a resolution, simplex or duplex modes, and enabled tools such as blank-page skipping, anti-skew and image rotation. We then linked these to output profiles to determine where our scans were sent. Local or network folders are supported, as well as printers, SharePoint and a local email client.
A range of cloud providers is supported too, including Dropbox, OneDrive, SugarSync and Evernote. We had no problems sending scans straight to our Evernote account; for Google Drive, we just pointed the software at our local sync folder. Working with CapturePerfect, the Kofax VRS software proved very capable at cleaning up images, although we had to download software from the Kofax support site before it would recognise the scanner.
The eCopy software also loads Nuance's Cloud Connector. The Starter Edition doesn't support cloud backup, snapshots or sync, but it does let you create a virtual scan directory and link it up with an FTP server or a cloud provider such as Amazon S3 and Microsoft Azure.
It also allows you to create (just) one cloud connection where its virtual directory is mapped to a local drive letter. We linked to our remote FTP server and set up the new virtual drive in a CaptureOnTouch scan shortcut.
In line with Canon's official specification, scanning performance depends on your choice of mono or colour. In greyscale, our duplex scans of 50 bank statements produced a searchable PDF at a rate of 47ppm at 200dpi and 38ppm at 300dpi. Selecting a 24-bit colour profile saw speed drop to 30ppm at 200dpi, while a 300dpi profile pulled us down to 16.5ppm.
If you want to try the maximum 600dpi colour resolution, prepare for super-slow performance: our sheaf of statements was processed at just 3ppm. The good news is that greyscale 200dpi quality is perfectly adequate for document archiving, with the embedded OCR feature producing excellent, accurate results from fonts as small as 6pt.
Paper handling was decent, too. The scanner handled our thin courier waybills well and the anti-skew feature proved effective. Single embossed ID and credit cards can be scanned, but you must use a profile with the ultrasonic jam detection turned off.
The DR-C240's space-saving design is a definite plus, the CaptureOnTouch utility makes it supremely easy to use, and the price looks like good value. Just remember to factor in the additional cost of network support if you need it, plus document-management software.
This review originally appeared in PC Pro issue 263
Verdict
The DR-C240’s space-saving design is a definite plus, the CaptureOnTouch utility makes it supremely easy to use, and the price looks like good value. Just remember to factor in the additional cost of network support if you need it, plus document-management software.
600dpi colour scanner
45ppm @ 200dpi mono
30ppm @ 200dpi colour
Simplex/duplex
60-sheet ADF
USB 2
External PSU
4,000 pages per day
Canon CaptureOnTouch and CapturePerfect, eCopy PDF Pro Office, Kofax VRS software
TWAIN and ISIS drivers
291 x 253 x 231mm (WDH, closed)
1yr exchange warranty
