Image Readiness - Refers to a documents compliance with the ANSI standard on Bank Check Background and Numerical Convenience Amount Field - X9.7.

This standard provides the requirements and specifications for the check background and the location of the numerical convenience amount field for any paper document in the payment transfer system.

MICR and Image Quality Control

As laser printers become more cost effective, and check printing software becomes more readily available, financial institutions and other check processing organizations are facing increasing challenges in trying to control the cost of rejects.

Many organizations and printers are not fully aware of the specific industry standards regulating the quality of the MICR line and "Image Readiness" of checks and other negotiable documents.

When a problem arises with the MICR line or the background image, these documents must be manually processed. As the reject rates continue to rise, financial institutions may find it necessary to pass on the costs to their customers.  It is therefore more critical than ever to establish a MICR and image quality control program in order to accurately identify the problem. Sending information to customers, as opposed to passing along a surcharge, which can range anywhere from $1.00 to $7.00 per rejected item.

RDM's MICR and Image Quality Control Solutions

RDM's MICR and Image quality control solutions can be implemented almost immediately with limited training and integration time.

RDM offers products such as the MICR Qualifier GTX which is designed to test for MICR print quality issues, and the Image Qualifier which is designed to test "Image Readiness". These two products combined with RDM's training programs and quality control accessories, provide financial institutions with a comprehensive quality control solution.

How RDM fits into your quality control process

RDM's MICR Qualifier GTX is best utilized in a real-time, live check processing environment. The reporting and analysis tools allow you to identify all common problems including; signal level, line intrusions, character dimensions, and font issues.  The easy to understand reports can be emailed, printed or saved in PDF format, giving financial institutions the greatest degree of flexibility when communicating reject issues to their customers.

Another key component of an overall quality control program is image readiness. RDM's Image Qualifier tests all 5 areas of interest outlined in the ANSI standard, with respect to image quality control.  The IQX97 will highlight problem areas and produce an easy to understand report, that summarizes the issues, and provides recommendations for changes.  These reports can be used by financial institutions as a tool to convey to customers what the reject issues are, and the adjustments that must be made.