A scanner is a peripheral device which is used to digitize the paper documents. Some scanners are capable of scanning any type of document. Scanners need to be selected according to the type of user such as the beginner, intermediate and advanced. If you need your scanner to just do filing of text or graphic documents, then you can go for any flat bed scanner. Any document in colour or black and white can be scanned. A flat bed scanner with an optical resolution of 600dpi may be used for this purpose. You can go for a flat bed scanner that has 24 bits depth sampling if you require a detailed scanning procedure. If your job is confined to scanning documents and storing sensitive files, then you can for an advanced type of scanner.

Different types of scanners are sheet fed scanners, flatbed scanner and film scanner. Sheetfed scanner requires the user to put sheet by sheet in to the feeder for it to appear on the computer screen. The most common type of scanners is flat bed scanners. Flat bed scanners or desk top scanners can digitize almost all types of documents of any size. Transparencies and negatives can also be digitized easily with this type of scanners. It is required to place the document against the screen. Film scanners are used mainly by the professionals. 

Care should be taken while installing new scanners. You must place the scanner on a flat surface near your computer. It would be convenient if the power supply is near the scanner. Next you need to install the software from the CD-ROM that comes along with the scanner. In case of any inconvenience, you can get instructions either from the CD-ROM or from the instruction manual.