Birmingham is the UK's second city in more than just size, a genuine national centre for manufacturing, financial services, legal, healthcare, and public sector activity, with a business community as diverse as any in the country. That diversity means a wide range of document management challenges: technical archives in engineering businesses, regulated records in financial and legal firms, clinical documentation in one of the busiest NHS regions in England, and decades of accumulated administrative files in local government and public bodies. Microform's document scanning services are available to Birmingham businesses nationwide, with secure collection from your West Midlands premises and processing at our specialist facility. We've been working with organisations of all sizes across all sectors for 70 years, and we bring that experience and reliability to every project.
Who We Help in Birmingham
Birmingham's manufacturing and engineering sector, from the legacy automotive supply chain around the West Midlands to newer advanced manufacturing businesses, holds significant technical archives that we help digitise and make accessible. Legal and financial services firms in Birmingham city centre and Brindleyplace work with us to manage client records and compliance documentation in line with their regulatory obligations. NHS Trusts, and healthcare providers across the West Midlands would benefit from working with us for the secure digitisation of patient records and clinical documentation. Local councils and the network of associated public bodies generate a volume of records that requires systematic, professionally managed digitisation; we work with public sector organisations of exactly this scale. Universities, schools and colleges also work with us on research and student record archives.
Nationwide Collection, Local Expertise
Microform operates across the UK, and Birmingham is well served by our national collection network. We arrange secure, tracked collection from your West Midlands premises, handle your documents at our specialist facility, and deliver your digital files in your preferred format. Our experience across the full range of sectors present in Birmingham means we arrive already understanding your industry's requirements.
/ The Benefits
Facilitate flexible working
Remote document access allows hybrid workers to work efficiently and productively away from a traditional office setting.
Utilise office space
Removing physical documents frees up valuable office space that could be used for business growth, improving working conditions or making way for new equipment.
Find information faster
With the function to search, retrieve and access documents within seconds, a significant amount of time and money is saved from digitally converting documents.
Comply with industry regulations
Managing and organising documents digitally makes it easier to securely access and correctly store confidential data to ensure full compliance with key regulations such as GDPR.
Protect important documents
Unlike physical formats, documents saved in a digital format are protected from potential damage, loss, theft and deterioration.
Improve environmental credentials
Going digital can result in a paperless office, which in turn will make way for a more sustainable way of working.
/ How It Works
1 / Consult
Based on an honest and expert assessment of your document scanning requirements, you will receive a customised solution and quote to review.
2 / Collect
Your documents are collected from your preferred location within the UK and safely transported to our secure facilities using a tracked, unmarked van.
3 / Prepare and scan
Upon arrival, your documents are carefully logged and manually prepared for fast, efficient and accurate scanning.
4 / Deliver
Your files are sent to you in your chosen digital format and your original documents returned. If the original documents are no longer required, we can arrange for them to be securely destroyed.
/ Why choose Us?
It’s a family affair
We’re proud to fly the flag for family-run businesses, and although our team has grown significantly over the last 60 years, we still bring a personal touch to everything we do.
Credible document protection
To keep your documents safe in our care, we implement strict security measures and undergo regular disaster recovery and business continuity risk assessments. You can read more about our processes, standards and accreditations here.
Individual design
Our bespoke document management and cloud management systems are tailored to support your business or organisation with its own unique challenges.
Respect for privacy
80% of the materials we work with contain sensitive information that you can trust us to handle in the strictest confidence. At your request, we’re happy to comply with non-disclosure agreements too.
We’ve got you covered
We work with a team of document management specialists, leading industry partners and state-of-the-art technology to provide one of the UK’s most comprehensive range of document management services.
Integrity guaranteed
Taking into consideration format, age and condition, your documents are treated with the greatest respect by our skilled, knowledgeable and experienced handlers.
/ Frequently asked questions
Do you work with Birmingham City Council and other West Midlands public sector bodies?
Yes. We have extensive experience working with local authorities and public sector organisations on large-scale archive digitisation projects. We understand the particular requirements of public records, including retention schedules, access controls, and FOIA considerations, and can manage projects of significant volume and complexity.
Do you cover Wolverhampton, Coventry, and the wider West Midlands region?
Yes. Our collection service covers the full West Midlands region and beyond. Get in touch with your location and project details and we'll confirm coverage.
Can you use Optical Character Recognition during my document scans?
Yes. Any typed documents we scan can undergo Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Of course, if a document is presented in poor condition, this may hamper the quality of the scan. We do, however, supply experienced proofreaders to amend mistakes as part of an extra service.
Do you scan confidential material?
Yes. Up to 80% of the materials we scan at Microform are confidential. From invoice statements through to medical records, we ensure a fully secure and confidential service that puts the privacy of our clients at the centre of everything that we do. Confidentiality agreements can also be signed to ensure the tightest possible controls.
How are the digital files returned?
Files can be sent in a number of ways, whether digitally, using a cloud sharing platform, or hand-delivered, in a hard-drive or USB stick. Preferred methods are usually either: an encrypted HDD delivered securely to the customer, a digital download link, an SFTP transfer, or DVD/CD (for smaller jobs). We can integrate with your current workflows or provide cloud storage to facilitate the delivery of files.
What formats do you offer scanned files?
We will work with you to decide on the best format to suit your requirements. These include:
TIFF
JPG
HTML
PDF
Searchable PDF
Microsoft Word
Can the images be transferred to a cloud management system?
Yes. Another service we offer is the installation of bespoke cloud management systems that are designed to meet the needs and requirements of our clients. Find out more about our cloud management services.
Will I need to keep the original documents?
Not necessarily. We can securely shred unwanted documents or place them in secure storage for as long as you need for regulatory, compliance or legal reasons.
Which locations do you serve?
We operate nationwide working closely with businesses and organisations throughout the UK.
Do you provide bespoke solutions?
Yes. Our services are fully flexible and customisable to a range of heritage materials and requirements.
How do I get my materials to you?
We have two options. You can deliver your materials to our premises, or, we can arrange collection using our track, unmarked vans from your preferred location.
Do you scan large format sheets?
Yes, we work with a range of businesses that use A0, A1, A2, and A3 formats as our specialised scanners cater to almost any common size of paper. Find out more about our large format scanning services.
How do I get started?
Get in touch for a friendly chat to discuss your project's requirements. We can provide a digitised sample of your aperture cards free of charge to ensure it meets your satisfaction.