HEWLETT-PACKARD APPOINTS METICULUS AS UK CERTIFIED SOLUTIONS PROVIDER FOR DIGITAL PEN AND PAPER

Meticulus Solutions has been appointed the first UK solutions provider for HPs Digital Pen and Paper, the technology used in HPs Forms Automation System.

Forms Automation is a revolutionary way of gathering and processing information from paper forms, and uses a new technology Digital Pen and Paper. This is as easy to use as a traditional pen and paper. Users fill in forms using the HP Digital Pen 200, a standard ink pen with an integrated infrared camera that captures pen strokes and puts them into the digital form. The captured information is encrypted and pen content download is password-protected for additional security.

This new system eliminates the need to scan forms and manually re-key data, not only hugely simplifying workflow, but also reducing costs. Meticulus will work with organisations to implement the system, including form design, crucial in getting the best results from the technology.

Gordon Olson, chairman, Meticulus Solutions said: "Digital Pen and Paper is entirely intuitive and natural. It is designed to increase productivity, improve quality, reduce costs and achieve greater efficiency in any organisation that uses forms to gather information. Users can still reap the benefits of traditional pen and paper, but the data can be processed in minutes rather than weeks."

Geoff Hogg, UK Commercial Marketing Manager for Imaging and Printing, HP said: "Meticulus has a strong heritage in document management systems and will be an excellent partner for HP. Digital Pen and Paper will be a huge product for us - it has so many potential applications and we are confident that Meticulus will bring it to wider prominence and use within many markets."

The Forms Automation System works in three easy steps. Pre-designed forms are printed on standard office paper using an HP LaserJet printer a dot pattern is used to uniquely identify each document and its content fields. The HP Digital Pen 200 writes on the form and saves the data. The pen is then placed in a small desktop cradle and transmits its data to the host PC or server via USB.

The digital pens cost around 100, can store up to 100 pages of A4 paper and have a battery life similar to that of a mobile phone.