Bradford's economy spans manufacturing, textiles, healthcare, education, and a growing professional services sector, and across all of these industries, paper records remain a daily reality. Microform provides document scanning services for Bradford businesses that want to digitise those records properly: securely collected, professionally scanned, and returned in a digital format that works with your existing systems. Our headquarters in nearby Wakefield means we can collect from Bradford quickly and efficiently, with no long lead times or unnecessary delays. Whether you're a manufacturer with decades of engineering drawings and supplier records, a GP practice managing patient files, or a local government department working through a backlog of archived documents, our team will design a scanning project around your specific requirements and deliver it without disruption to your day-to-day operations.
Who We Help in Bradford
Bradford's industrial heritage means many of its businesses hold significant volumes of legacy paperwork, including engineering drawings, supplier contracts, and production records, that are bulky to store, fragile with age, and increasingly difficult to access quickly. We help manufacturers and engineering firms in the Bradford area digitise these documents, making them searchable and protecting them from further deterioration. Bradford's healthcare sector, including GP practices and NHS facilities across the district, also makes up a significant part of our work, with patient records, referral letters, and administrative files handled with strict confidentiality and in line with data protection requirements. We can work with educational institutions, local colleges and universities to digitise, structure and archive paperwork. Local government departments managing large administrative archives also benefit from our services. We're also well placed to help Bradford's growing professional services firms, including solicitors, accountants, and consultancies, who need to manage client files more efficiently and free up valuable office space.
A Local Service for Bradford
Bradford sits less than ten miles from our Wakefield headquarters, which means fast collection, short turnaround times, and a team that's genuinely local to West Yorkshire. We've been working with businesses across this region for 70 years, and we understand the particular character of Bradford's business community, the mix of long-established manufacturers and newer professional services firms, the public sector organisations managing substantial archives, and the healthcare providers who need the highest levels of confidentiality. Working with Microform means working with people who understand what it means to operate in West Yorkshire, not just a generic national provider with no local presence.
/ 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 scan large format engineering drawings and technical documents?
Yes. Large format scanning is one of our specialisms. We work regularly with manufacturing and engineering businesses across Bradford and West Yorkshire who need to digitise A0, A1, A2, and A3 drawings, schematics, and technical plans. Find out more about our large format scanning services.
Do you cover Shipley, Keighley, and other areas in the Bradford district?
Yes. Our collection service covers the full Bradford metropolitan district and the surrounding area. If you have documents at multiple sites, we can arrange collections accordingly, just let us know when we speak.
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.