The Fujitsu fi-8170 has just arrived at Keypoint Intelligence. Released last month as part of the newly minted fi-8000 series, the device is based on the fi-7160, which won a Buyers Lab (BLI) Pick Award for Outstanding A4 Departmental Scanner in 2015. The Fujitsu fi-8170 sports several enhancements over its predecessor, including new image censor technology, improved media handling capabilities, and faster scan speeds. The device also supports network connectivity and works with PaperStream NX Manager.
Our test unit of the Fujitsu fi-8170 arrived at our lab a few days ago. Testing is underway and we cannot wait to report our findings. Until then, I’d like to point out the three things about the Fujitsu fi-8170 that IT decision makers need to know.
1. PaperStream NX Manager Support
The Fujitsu fi-8170 works with PaperStream NX Manager, a powerful capture and workflow automation solution that enables administrators to orchestrate the entire scan environment from a remote location. The solution is very helpful in scanning environments that are spread out across several locations, like in retail businesses.
PaperStream NX Manager enables administrators to connect scanning workflows with cloud and on-premises repositories and applications, email, as well as other digital destinations. They can also create single-touch scanning workflows—complete with image processing, data extraction, file conversion, and routing settings—and make them accessible at the control panel of Fujitsu fi-8170 devices. The solution enables end users to kick-off scans from within web applications, smartphones and tablets, as well as chrome books. That, plus an LAN connectivity via built-in Ethernet port, means the device can be deployed and operated with a connected PC.
Take note that, unlike with the fi-7300NX, administrators cannot enforce user authentication on the fi-8170. Likewise, the fi-8170 doesn’t work with the cloud-native version of PaperStream NX Manager and is not offered as part of the Fujitsu EdgeXperience Imaging Solution as a Service platform.
2. New and Improved Optical Imaging Technology
The Fujitsu fi-8170 comes with a new kind of image censor and two dedicated image processing chips to ensure optimal image quality. These are important features, according to Keypoint Intelligence’s 2022 Document Process Shifts and Workflow Transformation study. About 54% of IT decision makers from that study named image quality as the most important feature when purchasing a shared workgroup scanner. This is a function of increased reliance on OCR to automate scanning processes, as better image quality correlates with higher OCR accuracy.
Each embedded image processing chip serves a dedicated purpose. One is responsible for applying image processing features offered through PaperStream IP, while the other focuses on accurate color reproduction. This enables businesses to obtain high-quality scanned output without tethering a device to a PC. It also means users don’t have to sacrifice speed for image quality when the scanner is driven by a low-spec PC.
The new image sensor technology—dubbed Fujitsu Clear Image Capture (CIC) technology—is a hybrid of contact image sensors (CIS) and charged-coupled device (CCD) sensor technology. You see, CIS technology offers good resolution and limits line distortion, but it isn’t good with colors. CCD sensors, on the other hand, are good with colors, but the resolution isn’t as good because there is more line distortion and it cannot scan passports. CIC technology takes the best of both worlds from CIS and CCD sensors, eliminating shifting and blurring of scanned output, increasing color accuracy, and enabling users to scan passports without having to purchase a dedicated passport scanner.
3. Improved Media-Handling
The Fujitsu fi-8170 features several media-handling and paper feeding enhancements to optimize scanning processes. The device supports a wider range of paper weights and sizes, and the maximum ADF capacity is 25% larger than its predecessor (100 pages versus 80 pages). Fujitsu also increased the daily duty cycle by more than double (up from 4,000 to 10,000) to help businesses keep up with increased scanning requirements.
Other improvements include OverScan control, which uses sensors spread across the feeding path to detect skewing and stop scanning, as well as intelligent multi-feed detection to prevent data loss and misfeeds. Independently driven rollers are also used, so the scanner can change roller speeds in real time to prevent documents from being fed askew.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
The Fujitsu fi-8170 checks most of the boxes that IT decision makers demand from a shared workgroup scanner. It comes with several features geared towards optimizing image quality of scanned output, and its pull scanning capabilities are supported. The device’s bundled software and PaperStream NX Manager also encrypt scans to keep its contents safe from prying eyes. The device also features USB and Ethernet connectivity, so it can be deployed with or without a computer (but as you can see below, a lot of IT DMs prefer USB). The device also comes with a standard warranty, and customers can purchase additional support and services through Fujitsu.
I cannot tell you how well the Fujitsu fi-8170 checks these boxes…at least not right now. But you can check back in a few weeks and find out in the Lab Test Report.
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