It is good news for people or organizations which have to scan OMR sheets on a regular basis. The old OMR scanner is not only bulky but expensive too. Buying an OMR scanner would cost you lacs of rupees and the expenses do not end there. You have to invest in special printed OMR sheets which are also quite expensive. However, with the introduction of the OMR software, one no longer needs to rely on the OMR machine. Moreover, the best part is that with the OMR software, you can use absolutely any regular scanner for scanning the OMR sheets.
Once the OMR software is installed in your computer, you can use any multi-sheet image scanner to scan the sheets. These sheets are saved in a folder of your computer. The software takes these files and processes them. In other words, there is no connection between the OMR reader and the scanner. You can use a scanner of any model, brand and price.
OMR scanner price and models
The price of the OMR scanner would depend on the model you choose. An automatic scanner would be best if you have to scan multiple sheets at the same time. Opt for an ADF or Automatic Document Feeder scanner in this case. This type of scanner possesses a pocket where you can place the OMR sheets and then they are scanned automatically. A good scanner can scan anywhere between 10-30 pages according to the model you choose. The price of the ADF scanner can be anywhere between Rs. 27000 and Rs. 35000 depending on its scan speed. On the other hand, professional range of ADF scanner that scans 80-120 pages per minute costs up to Rs. 150,000.
If you do not have much workload, a Flatbed scanner would be perfect for you. They are quite cheaper than the ADF scanner. A regular flatbed scanner costs less than Rs. 10,000. However, it may take more time to scan the sheets, as you can place only one sheet at a time.
Some of the popular brands that you can choose while buying a scanner include Fujitsu, HP, Canon, Kodak, Panasonic, Epson, Xerox, etc. You should buy an OMR scanner that fits your requirements and budget.
