Manchester is one of the UK's most dynamic business cities, a major centre for financial services, legal, media, technology, healthcare, and higher education, with a pace of growth that brings its own document management challenges. As businesses expand, merge, or relocate, paper archives that were once manageable quickly become a significant burden: costly to store, slow to access, and increasingly difficult to keep compliant with GDPR and sector-specific regulations. Microform's document scanning services are available to Manchester businesses nationwide, with secure collection arranged from your premises across Greater Manchester and your documents processed at our specialist facility. We're an established, family-run business with 70 years of experience working with organisations of all sizes, from growing SMEs to large NHS trusts and public bodies, and we'll design a scanning project around your needs, not the other way around.
Who We Help in Manchester
Manchester's financial and professional services sector, spanning the city centre and MediaCityUK, generates high volumes of regulated records: client files, compliance documentation, correspondence, and contracts that need to be retained, accessible, and managed carefully. We help firms in this sector digitise those records in a way that supports rather than complicates their compliance obligations. Manchester's legal community, concentrated around Spinningfields and the wider city centre, is another significant part of our client base, with solicitors and barristers' chambers working with us to digitise case files, deeds, and correspondence. Local government offices, NHS Trusts and other public sector organisations rely on our secure document digitisation services to free up floor space and make data retrieval fast and efficient. Universities, higher education, and the other institutions across the city could also benefit from working with us to manage research archives and student records.
Nationwide Collection, Local Expertise
Microform operates nationally, and Greater Manchester is well within our regular collection area. We arrange secure, tracked collection from your Manchester premises, transport your documents to our specialist facility, and return your digital files in your preferred format. You'll deal with a consistent team throughout, and our experience working with the full range of industries present in Manchester means we understand your sector's requirements before the conversation has even started.
/ 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 financial services and legal firms in Manchester city centre?
Yes. Financial and legal services are amongst the sectors we serve most frequently. We understand FCA compliance requirements, legal document retention obligations, and the sensitivity of client data, and our processes are designed to handle all of it securely.
Do you cover Salford, Stockport, Bolton, and other parts of Greater Manchester?
Yes. We serve the full Greater Manchester conurbation and the wider north-west region. Get in touch with your location and we'll confirm collection arrangements.
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.