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+852 2121 0868
Frequently Asked Questions
OMR, Optical Mark Read are recognised by a location marker (mark). ICR, Intelligent Character Recognition is identified by specific handwritten images of letters into editable text. OCR, Optical Character Recognition is identified by printed text into editable text. Imaging contains ICR, OCR, and Mark-Sense feature which recognize handwriting and marks. The table below lists the main differences between Imaging and OMR.
| Imaging | OMR | |
| Handprint Recognition | Y - ICR | N |
| Machineprint Recognition | Y - OCR | N |
| Recognition of bubble marks | Y | Y |
| Recognition of checks and “X”s | Y | N |
| Recognition of barcode | Y | Y |
| Requires Timing Tracks/Form IDs | N | Y |
| Accuracy | Up to 98% with caveats | Consistently 99.9+% |
| Electronic Storage and Retrieval | Y | N |
| FAX Input | Y | N |
| Speed |
Unlimited - Network configuration allows for unlimited processing power (1, 200/hr/scanner) |
1500 -10000/hr per scanner |
| Source : NCS Pearson Ltd | ||
TestAnyTime can be used with most common document scanners that support Twain Driver, e.g. Fujitsu, Canon, Kodak, Ricoh, Avision, Bell & Howell, etc.
Most manufacturers produce scanners that are in line with the twins format, built-in ADF, Auto Document Feeder. Most scanners automatically feed 15 to 500 sheets of paper, with speed per minute in the 10 to 90 range. Accepted paper size depends on the scanner setting, however common sizes are A6, A5, A4, F4, A3. The paper can be scanned single sided or double sided and be processed in pure black and white, grayscale and color images.
There are no limitation or size requirements from the software regarding the design of the form. However do check limitations of the type of scanner you are using. There are also no strict specified requirements for the size of the OMR cell. We do suggest however that the form you are designing has a triangle black shape located in the 4 corners. This triangle is called a ‘Registration Mark’. Using these 4 triangles, our software will automatically adjust the form from any offset from scanning, photocopies and even printing.
Nearly all copier or printer, producing copies of the original form approximately for every 10 or so copy may have an offset problem. If you are producing double sided copies, the offset problem can be even worse. This can be result of several factors such as: poorly fed paper, manual adjustments, scanner settings, scanning vibrations etc.
Registration mark is the simple and practical solution to this offset problem. Due to our software’s auto adjustment function, the triangles on the corners of the form can be aligned correctly, thus scanning images will be correctly positioned and the data accurately captured.
Yes, the question bank feature can be added into you form design layout within the TestAnyTime software. The process is very simple and there are a wide range of questions to choose from.
Yes, in fact the percentage accuracy can reach 100%. However this involves ensuring that forms are consistently printed the same and that scan settings are fixed. In addition what imaging’s advantage over OMR is that there is no need for timing marks, meaning that users will have more flexibility and room to design. This in turn along with use of registration marks, makes TestAnyTime a attractive solution for low cost printing without losing the advantage of high recognition.
Yes, often when ‘drop out’ colors are used the scanner and software is able to remove the color (drop out) leaving only black marks to be recognized. This can be useful as the color being dropped could be used for headings, questions and other informative information.
Drop out in relation to OMR technology involves 3 primary colors, red, blue and green; similar to how the visually impaired see the colors. How it works is that these primary colors are removed from a form, leaving behind the filled in ‘marks’ for recognition. Often you see that one of the primary colors is used as the color for the OMR Form. For imaging technology there is no different as the software will be able to distinguish where the marks are made.
Yes, we have own system development, document processing and offset printing departments. Our outsourcing services receive more than 3 million forms a year. We have more than 12 years’ experience in providing high quality outsourcing services.
Yes, currently TestAnyTime has been linked with many tertiary sector institutions existing reports and systems. In addition some of customers have requested us to create tailor made reports for them, if you wish to have a custom made report – please contact us for more details.
Yes, TestAnyTime can be connected to different external database formats. When forms are scanned, the software checks the specified data value. This means that candidate numbers can be linked to candidate’s real names. Validations and data checks can be also set, to see if the external database has changed.
Our software captures marks as areas of data. Often data may not be recognized due to a number of reasons, such as the form is dirty, the marks are poorly filled in, poorly designed forms, etc. Handwriting or comments will be captured as an image clipping or data zone, where the user can type back the information or export as a comment report.
TestAnyTime exports data to over 30 different formats, e.g. ASCII, Rich Text, MS Excel, Ms Access, MS FoxPro, CSV, XML, ODBC, etc.
Yes, TestAnyTime has a question bank feature which consists of hundreds of questions for different topics. These topics can be freely edited. In addition you can set your own scores, change questions and even assign images.
Yes, the network version can be used to support collaboration on the web, and can work with organization’s server system networks (e.g. workgroups and shared printers)
The database in based on Microsoft Access, and should be enough to meet most user’s needs. However if you require a larger database, you may wish to purchase Microsoft SQL Server Module, you can upgrade and utilize a large and stable database.
No, as long as the paper you are using is clean and the quality of printing is good then the process of data capture should be fine. However please note that the settings used by your printer or file created for the form can result in errors or missing data. This is why we strong suggest that all copies produced for your form are set to the same printer settings, to keep a level of consistency when scanning.
The learning curve for TestAnyTime depends on if the user has use similar form processing solutions in the past, in addition to their computer skills. When you purchase our TestAnyTime software, we will provide a 2hour on-site training, which involves setting up a form, defining image zones, scanning and exporting data. In addition, we have a range of easy to follow tutorial videos on YouTube to guide you through the software features, features and also tips to do things more efficiently. Furthermore we offer great off-site support to our customers.
TestAnyTime has a multi-language interface and works under different Windows OS. Current we support English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese. Overseas distributors may contact us to discuss adding a regional language to the software.
Yes, the printer quality can have an effect on the form design, printing quality and scanned image quality, which in turn can have an effect on the recognition accuracy. Advantage of many high quality scanners in the market today is that they produce high quality scanned images even if the original document is poor, and there is also a lower chance of paper jam.
Define Image Zone indicates the assigned area of the form where the data will be captured. Define Image Zone can be freely drawn by the user on TestAnyTime, by dragging boxes around the selected OMR areas where you want data to be collected. Define Image Zones consists of several different zone types:
- Optical Mark Zone
- Group Zone
- Registration Zone
- Identification Zone
- Barcode Zone
- Data Zone
TestAnyTime has a range of built in reports ready to be used:
- Summary Distribution
- Ranking
- Table Analysis
- Comments Listing
- Pie Chart
- Bar Chart
- Line Chart
- Question Summary By Free Text
- Revision Comparison
- Multiple Answer Summary
- Test Result
- Test Question Analysis
- Test Results of Candidates
- Ranking Report with Passing Mark
- Test Ranking Analysis
- Test Questions Statistic
- Test Score Listing
- Revision comparison report
Most reports have added options and filters to display specific data. E.g a particular class or batch. Reports can be exported to MS Word, MS Excel and other commonly used programs.
All reports and data can be exported to MS Excel, so you can customize data further.
TestAnyTime has two types of export data features
1. Export Data – you can choose different export filters; data display modes and even specify particular ranges of data.
2. Report Generator – you can select and filter the data to create specific reports.
We offer two types of service, off-site and on-site support. Off-site support consists of telephone, email, fax and remote support from our office. Most issues or problems with our software can be solved by off-site support. On-Site support depends on a case by case service. Usually it involves hardware more than software issues. However in some cases some users may require additional training or further support then a fee will be charged.
We are more than happy to answer any further questions. Please feel free to call us, during office hours at (+852)21210868, Fax (+852)21210735 or email: enquiry@datacap.com.hk.