For the price I've set, this is an easier question than most in this
range.  It only seems difficult at first, but what we want is simple.
we want to take bubbles on surveys and turn them into data.

The scantron corporation has made a proposal to the small graduate
institute I work for to supply an optical scanner, software license
and a service package that can turn our trimesterly surveys into data
with ease.  But it seems Scantron corp is trying to sell us too much. 
the offer is priced at 9 to 20 thousand dollars.  We do not need the
capability for expansion nor is time of the essence when deciphering
the surveys.
Here is what we need:
we need to be able to input about 1300 to 1800 sheets/surveys, each
with less than 20 multiple choice questions, per trimester.  the data
needs to be entered into our database program, 4-D, but it is
acceptable if it can be read into Excel, for conversion into 4-D. 
Time is not of the essence and we would be willing to wait a month
before receiving the results.

The question comes in two parts: 1, are there companies or
organizations that we can contract with to send out our test forms for
conversion into data at a price significantly lower than scantron's
lowest offer?  reliability is important but absolute reliability
is not necessary.  the idea of sending the surveys out and simply
receiving the data is very appealing as long it is a simple process.

2, are there companies that may sell us what we want at a significantly
lower price than scantron's offer? There are other companies online
like www.academytechnologies.com and datablocks, which offer scanners
with free software or combinations of services.  But it is difficult
to tell if they offer all of what we need and are reputable companies
with quality scanners.  the software for the former company converts
to a form that can be converted to excel--that seems bulky, since
we must then convert it to 4-D.

Pearson inc. appears to only have the capacity to print forms, yet
they have told us that they will soon make a proposal.

***We are not looking for frills and we don't need the ability to read
handwriting.  we just want a simple method of digitizing 1300 to 1800
surveys 3 times per year. ***

We want the same sort of system that i imagine many grade schools use
to import data into their databases. (though the majority probably
don't import directly into their databases.) we would be more than
willing to change the survey to any form that makes things easier.

Price and simplicity are our main concerns.  please help.
and please include as much about pricing as possible.

---

Request for Question Clarification by smudgy-ga on 19 Aug 2004 15:43 PDT

Hi presidentpete,

I'm suddenly remembering a gadget I saw at a recent math conference.
It was simply a piece of software that you used in conjunction with a
webcam and a computer. You could scan bubble sheets by placing them
under the webcam--the software would read the bumper marks on the
bubble sheet and deduce the location of the bubbles, and scan the
answers in.

I don't remember many of the details of this product--it may require
you to use its specific variety of bubble sheet formats, and you would
have to place the bubble sheets under the camera by hand, I
believe--but does it sound like something that might suit your needs?

Thanks,
smudgy.

Why not use annonymous on-line feedback system??? There are softwares
which can provide you this facility, low on cost and time.

HTH,

Jayesh

Out of curiousity, what was wrong with any of the previous offered
comments on http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=377354 ?

Respectfully, you hadn't left any comments yay or nay on the options
presented, and you let the question expire. Are you that interested in
spending your $100 on a researcher that you'll ignore the comments
completely? Admittedly, it is your choice...

Personally, I thought I had offered one of the best options. All you'd
need was a scanner, preferrably with an Automatic Document Feeder, and
$839.00 for the software. http://www.datablocks.com/productsRMof.htm

There were other valid options given as comments as well. OTOH, if you
have a specific Researcher in mind for the money, you might as well
ask by name. It'll save you both a lot of effort :).

The other options presented were res

we are not interested in an online survey.  having every student
respond is important; but they are busy and the response rate online
will be low, i am positive; so that is out of the question.

to crythias-ga: i already knew about datablocks--I mentioned them in
the question--datablocks sells software and no scanning system, though
they advertise any tray feeder will work.  We are looking into
Datablocks but we want to look into others as well.  I am wary of
complicated software since i don't want to train my staff to have to
do new tricks.  Also we use macs and i'm not sure the software is
compatible.
Regarding researchdata.com, we have been in contact with them but they
specialize in custom and more expensive survey work than we need.
The comments were good.  we already pay temps for manual entry of data
and the cost is higher than imagined by a previous commenter.
What i really wanted was someone who could tell me what the simplest,
least expensive alternatives were, in both of the areas I am
examining.  Finding an outsourcing company is good advice but i've
already been trying to find a cheap one.  i was hoping for a name.
Perhaps a clarification is required: an outsourcing/service bureau
would have to charge less than $1600 per year to lure us.
Simplicity and no-frills; it has to exist out there.

Stand Alone Optical Mark Readers on ebay: http://shorterlink.com/?Q2UQP3

Hi would you want to consider outsourcing your services offshore, let
me know I may be able to give you some feedback and comments if you
wish to offshore!

TR