Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Quality Control products & services.
Categories:
- MICR Document Quality Control
- Image Document Quality Control
- Quality Control Services & Training
MICR Document Quality Control
Questions
- What are the issues if the Bank cannot read the MICR line? Why do I need MICR toner? With new technology isn't the MICR line read optically?
- What else do I need in order to comply with industry Standards other than testing the signal level of the MICR toner and ink?
- What do the Banks use to test the MICR line?
- What do Printers use to test the MICR line?
- Where can I get the ANSI and CPA check printing specifications?
- Do I need to supply a PC to use the MICR Qualifier GTX or MICR Verifier MHX and what are the requirements?
- Do I need to supply a PC to use the MICR Qualifier GTX or MICR Verifier MHX and what are the requirements?
- Can I send samples to you to see what the reports would look like using our documents?
- Which RDM MICR tester is best suited for my needs?
Answers
Q: What are the issues if the Bank cannot read the MICR line?
The MICR line is the vehicle that transforms a paper document into a machine-readable format. If the bank machines cannot read any of the characters in the MICR line then the document must be manually keyed. This will slow the processing of checks and account updates. Monthly statements may be missing information like check serial numbers and adds extra costs to the whole process. Many banks process as many as 2 million documents per day and if a reject rate climbs by 1% that means an additional 20,000 documents that must be processed manually in one day. This cost is often charged back to the customer.
Q: Why do I need MICR toner?
With new technology isn't the MICR line read optically? MICR Ink/Toner contains iron oxide, which is capable of being magnetized. A MICR reader machine reads the magnetic signal and transforms that information into a machine-readable format that can be used by computers. While imaging systems do read optically they still rely on the MICR line for additional information. The MICR line remains the most critical component for check processing.
Q. What else do I need in order to comply with industry Standards other than testing the signal level of the MICR toner and ink?
MICR characters have exact measurements with regard to size, dimension, spacing and format. The tolerances are +/- 3 thousandths of an inch. If these Standards are not met, the chances of the document rejecting increases greatly which will require manual processing.
Q. What do the Banks use to test the MICR line?
Banks use a combination of their MICR reader equipment and RDM’s MICR Qualifier GTX. The MICR Qualifier GTX tests to the ANSI, CPA and APACS Standards. It also provides easy to read analysis reports to explain a MICR problem.
Q. What do Printers use to test the MICR line?
Historically, our printing customers were using the RDM MICR Verifier or MICR Verifier MH. However, with the introduction of the MICR Qualifier GTX, and the ability of this software to interface with other MICR testing products offering better quality control capabilities and ease of use, many of our customers are moving towards testers that attach to a PC and fit their paper handling requirements like the MICR Verifier MHX.
Q. Where can I get the ANSI and CPA check printing specifications?
Go to ANSI (www.ANSI.org) and get a copy of:
1.X9.27 for character dimensions of E13B font
2.TG6 technical guide for interpretation of the X9.27
3.X9.13 For the format of the fields for the USA
Go to CPA for Canadian cheque Standards. (http://www.cdnpay.ca/rules/pdfs_rules/standard_006.pdf)
Q. Do I need to supply a PC to use the MICR Qualifier GTX or MICR Verifier MHX and what are the requirements?
Yes, you will need to supply a PC running Windows 2000, XP or greater to operate the MICR Qualifier GTX and MICR Verifier MHX. The PC does not need to be a dedicated machine.
Q. Can I send samples to you to see what the reports would look like using our documents?
Yes, RDM Testing Services tests your documents for MICR and Image readiness. Please contact your RDM Quality Control Specialist for more details.
Q. Which RDM MICR tester is best suited for my needs?
The decision is usually based upon price and the need for Quality Control, reporting and ease of use. The MICR Verifier and MICR Verifier MH are standalone go/no go devices. Tests cannot be saved and limited reporting.
Testers that attach to a PC such as the MICR Qualifier GTX, MICR Verifier MHX and In-line MICR Verifier are much easier to use, less technical and offer extensive reporting and analysis capability. Because the tests can be saved, there are many tools and features that support Quality Control in a MICR print environment. The choice between these machines comes down to the handling of the document.
The MICR Qualifier GTX requires the MICR line to be at the bottom of the document, the MICR Verifier MHX will test a MICR line anywhere on an 8-1/2” x 11” or 14” page, and the In-line MICR Verifier will test MICR in-line on a roll-to-roll or roll-to-fold environment.
Image Document Quality Control
Questions
- What is Image Readiness?
- What are the issues if documents are not image friendly?
- What do I need in order to test if I have an Image Friendly Document?
- Where can I get Check Imaging specifications?
- How can I test document designs before I commit to printing?
- What do the Banks use to test Image Readiness?
Answers
Q: What is Image Readiness?
An Image Ready Document conforms to specific design elements that facilitate image processing. A document properly designed for imaging is one where all essential information can be captured by the imaging processes, the image will be usable, and the file sizes will be small enough so that the images can be stored and retrieved in a convenient manner.
The capture of paper-based documents is accomplished via a digital camera, normally loaded directly onto the reader-sorter machine. Character recognition software may be used to read hand-written or machine printed amounts on the document image. Successful imaging and character recognition can be affected by many factors in the document design, including background colour, screening, background pattern of the document, security patterns and the ink used to print the data. The effect of these design characteristics can be assessed by Reflectance and contrast measurements.
Bank reader sorters deploy dynamic thresholding to reduce the file size of the document image leaving only the required information for storage and truncation. An Image Ready Document allows for the background and colour to be removed so that only the required information is available and legible including: Date, Pay To, Legal Amount, Signature, CAR Amount, $ Sign, Bank Name, MICR line, Serial Number, Customer Information.
Q: What are the issues if documents are not image friendly?
Banks are required to store images for up to 7 years and the original is destroyed. The Bank is responsible to have a legible image with all of the required information. Transmitting millions of images is most effective with a small file size.
This sample demonstrates a colour image and a black and white cheque image. The colour image is approximately 2,000 KB while a black and white image is approximately 20 KB.
This sample demonstrates contrast issues showing a background that is too dark. The written information on the left side of the check disappears when the background is removed.
This sample demonstrates noise issues where the background drops out but leaves too much clutter. This excessive clutter would affect legibility and accuracy requiring a Bank to key in the data.
Q: What do I need in order to test if I have an Image Friendly Document?
The Image Qualifier IQX97 will test all areas of the document for the required background and foreground reflectance. It will simulate a reader sorter, provide a binary image and will test for excess clutter which could impede legibility of the information.
Q: Where can I get Check Imaging specifications?
Go to ANSI (www.ANSI.org) and get a copy of:
1.X9.27 for character dimensions of E13B font
2.TG6 technical guide for interpretation of the X9.27 Go to CPA for Canadian cheque Standards. (http://www.cdnpay.ca/rules/pdfs_rules/standard_006.pdf)
Q: How can I test document designs before I commit to printing?
RDM’s Image Design Verification Software will allow you to test image readiness of a document from an image file.
Q: What do the Banks use to test Image Readiness?
Banks use a combination of their reader sorter equipment and RDM’s Image Qualifier IQX97. The Image Qualifier IQX97 tests the document to the ANSI, CPA and APACS Standards. The Image Qualifier IQX97 also provides easy to read analysis reports to explain an image problem.
Quality Control Service & Training
Questions
- Do I need to have an RDM Product Specialist install the Image Qualifier GTX or MICR Verifier MHX?
- What are the annual costs to maintain an RDM MICR tester?
- How often do I need to calibrate the testers and can I use outdated Calibration documents?
- Can I get a demonstration of a MICR or Image tester?
- Do you provide any seminars or courses on MICR and Image quality control?
- Who do I contact to get a service issue addressed?
Answers
Q: Do I need to have an RDM Product Specialist install the Image Qualifier GTX or MICR Verifier MHX?
No, the Image Qualifier GTX and MICR Verifier MHX are easy to install and all associated software is provided on a CD with easy to follow installation instructions.
Q: What are the annual costs to maintain an RDM MICR tester?
RDM MICR testers come with a 1-year return to depot warranty. An extended 2-year warranty is available that provides for parts labor and a unit on loan while repairs are being completed to ensure that you are never without a tester. It also covers the cost of annual preventative maintenance. Other than maintenance, you will need to purchase calibration documents annually at a cost of $130.
Q: How often do I need to calibrate the testers and can I use outdated Calibration documents?
Some customers calibrate the machines daily, weekly or monthly depending on how often they use the testers. RDM recommends every two weeks unless the parameters are changing in which case you may want to calibrate more frequently.
Calibration documents have a limited life span. With repeated use, documents become worn and may begin to give erratic readings. Discard the worn or outdated documents and replace them with new ones.
Q: Can I get a demonstration of a MICR or Image tester?
Yes, online demonstrations of our Quality Control products and services are available. Please contact your RDM Quality Control Specialist for more information.
Q: Do you provide any seminars or courses on MICR and Image quality control?
Yes, RDM offers MICR education materials and online training courses including Understanding MICR 101 and Image Ready – Document Design. Please contact your RDM Quality Control Specialist for details.
Q: Who do I contact to get a service issue addressed?
Contact a Quality Control Specialist at (800) 567-6227 extension 421 or email MICR Support (support@rdmcorp.com).
If you are under warranty, all parts and labor are covered along with a free loaner* machine. However, you are responsible for shipping the equipment to RDM.
If you are not under warranty, there is a base charge to assess the problem and perform a general maintenance covering small parts that are subject to ware. If larger parts are required we will contact you for confirmation of the extra costs for these parts.
* Loaner machines are not provided to customers outside of Canada and the United States. Please contact your RDM sales representative for additional details.