slfisher45
The reason I scan to PDF instead of JPG, TIF or some other format is that PDF files can more easily contain multiple pages (although TIF files can be multiple pages rather easily). Panther Pro Bill first, then everything else, each a different page, but all contained in a single file, saved with a filename of the PRO# (actually, I save them all with my truck number and then the pro#: "truck# - pro#", 00000 - 11111.pdf).
Also, other than uncompressed TIFF files, PDF files are the easiest, by far, format to run OCR software on, or you can simply run Acrobat's native OCR on it.
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Just got of the phone with 'em, and for scanning and e-mailing, the preferred file format is PDF, TIF, or Kodak Image. One set of PRO Bill paperwork per file.
JPG files are not preferred. They didn't tell me why, but I know why. They are too flaky and printer dependent depending on the save settings, and how much they were compressed. Sometimes what looks great on the screen at 72ppi is un-scanable when printed out to be re-scanned. It's most problematic with small typefaces (tiny text), but all text can suffer to a degree when compressed as a JPG file, again, depending on the compression setting.
When something comes in via Trip Pak or Transflo scanning, it goes directly into the system, which is a misnomer, sort of, as all it is is, it's in the same database file format as their system, so it's ready to be processed and filed away. Someone takes a quick look at it to make sure it's legible, and then forwards it to payroll for processing. No OCR involved anywhere along the line.
When something is e-mailed in, like PDF, TIF or Kodak Image, instead of employing a higher class of computer geek who can convert this stuff electronically (which, I gotta tell ya, is brain-dead simple to do - if you know how, of course), they are actually printing them out, and then rescanning them directly into the system. Wow. Most scanning software lets you scan from the scanner, or actually from an already saved electronic document, like a PDF or TIF file (which is how all OCR is done, and is how all faxes from a computer is done).
If you are on paperless logs or in a van with no logs, you can scan and e-mail, or use the truck stop scanning, whichever you prefer. The only difference between the two is how fast your paperwork is processed into the system for payment.
If you use the truck stop scanning, it will be processed the day it is received. If you scan and e-mail, it will be processed as soon as they get to it, sometimes 2 or 3 days later , but it will always eventually show up as being received on the day you actually sent it in, not the day when they processed it. (send something in on Friday, it may be Tuesday before it shows up, but it will show a received date of Friday) But in any case, the pro will pay out on the day it is supposed to.
If you sign up for the Quick Pay thing (for a mere 3% of the gross) then e-mailing is not recommended, as it could (will, absolutely) delay payment on some pros. Trip Pak and Transflo scanning is the only way to ensure timely payouts under the Quick Pay program.
