Frequently Asked Questions

LQAS Imaging

What makes LQAS Imaging unique?

An imaging application is divided into three parts: Scanning, Storage, and Retrieval.

SCANNING: LQAS scans the images into the system either while the documents are tracked (automatic indexing to the document level)* or bar coded bulk scanning. Bar coded scanning allows high volume duplex scanning while indexing of the images was performed when the bar code was produced. Scanning can also be performed at the operations area or remotely at the branch or both. The bank can use any scanning device and forward the scanned images to a common folder on the server. LQAS imports all images placed in that folder in a single request.

STORAGE: Hard Drives are used for primary storage of the images and CD/DVD-ROMS are used for write once media for backup and legal purposes. This method is the fastest and surprisingly the least expensive means of storage. The hard drives used for storage are standard drives that you can purchase locally for under $100 for a two terabyte drive (26,000,000 pages). Additional drives can be purchased if the bank has more than 26 million pages online. This results in online storage of 100,000 pages for 28 cents, using the two terabyte drive. CD-ROM media with an expected life of over 100 years (Kodak Gold) is 15 cents per disk and can be recorded onto multiple copies for offsite storage at various locations. Generic DVD-Rs can be purchased for about 20 cents each and can hold over 55,000 pages.

RETRIEVAL: LQAS indexes all images at the document level. This means that the images are accessible by document instead of by Customer or by Loan. Retrieval time is greatly reduced and review time is minimized because any document is usually only one second away. Generic imaging systems could force the user to retrieve several hundred pages needlessly during the day. The retrieval speed of LQAS is the fastest in the industry. We have retrieved an image at a branch over 400 miles away in one second. If the bank settles for slower retrieval speed it is like buying ten-year-old PCs today instead of modern systems available.

Can I interface the imaging system we already have in place?
We have been able to fully customize our products for over twenty years. If we can read your image files and are supplied with the indexing information then an interface can be discussed. Retrieval speed of your existing system can be brought up to LQAS performance levels if the images are saved into our system also. The other advantage to this concept is redundancy. LQAS could retrieve images if your imaging system is down and vice versa.
What is bulk filing?

Our company has been working with imaging for over twenty five years. The question that we are always confronted with is when can I destroy my documents? Some bank clients that have destroyed documents have regretted this decision at a later date. We have developed a tracking system for the paper itself that reports the location of the paper at all times. The paper can be stored by date received, filed into boxes and stored at various remote locations. The major strength of LQAS in this area knows when to destroy the document according to a strict retention schedule. Commercial lending involves over 200 various documents to secure the portfolio. Bulk filing can’t reliably function without the individual tracking functions of our system.

What is virtual Loan Review
Virtual Loan Review enables the regulator, loan review officer, or lender to examine all aspects of a line of credit at anytime from any location. LQAS can pull all customers above a loan cut exactly like an examination. When the lines are selected each customer and note can be reviewed, including the status and image of any document. LQAS also has a fully functional loan review module that includes grading, write ups, and reserve calculations for the portfolio. This process reduces the time required for a review fivefold. This capability enables our review crew to perform a complete review from this office without ever entering the bank or pulling physical files.
What is the advantage of using an embedded imaging solution?
Embedded-imaging software can be more intelligent and fit the specific area of banking as a total solution at the departmental level. A generic imaging system can’t determine an exception, track loan loss allocations, perform a virtual loan review, or bulk file documents for safe offsite storage
Is the imaging engine that you used in LQAS widely known?

We use the SkyLine imaging engine inside LQAS. To date they have 10,000 installations worldwide including applications in numerous companies, some of which are listed below.

  • America Online
  • American Express
  • AT&T
  • American Cancer Society
  • Blockbuster Entertainment
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • General Motors
  • GTE
  • Lucent Technologies
  • Microsoft Corporation
  • Ohio State University
  • Sony
  • Ticket Master
  • US Navy
  • University of Alabama
What is indexing?
Indexing is the method that connects the images to the database. The level of detail of the connection determines the ease of retrieval. For example a note with 500 pages of images indexed to the note would require the user to possibly retrieve 500 pages (remember microfilm). LQAS indexes to the document and stores all scans individually. If you wish to retrieve the most current UCC-1 highlight the document and press F4.