Derek Flower
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.

Note: If you own a ScanSnap iX500, CardMinder works for both Windows and Mac. If you own a previous ScanSnap model, CardMinder is a Windows-only application.

Harman Bola
Product Marketing
Fujitsu Computer Products of America

In my continuing quest to go paperless this year, I decided to finally attack my growing pile of business cards. I had known that ScanSnap has a business card scanning application for some time now – CardIris for Mac and CardMinder for PC – but frankly had been a bit intimidated about starting to use it. But when my business cards didn’t fit in my tidy business card holder anymore, and I realized that many of my valuable contacts were just sitting in a box unused, I figured it was time to test out yet another of the wonders of the ScanSnap. It was a lot easier that I expected. The actual scanning part, as usual, is a “snap.” The business card just zips in and you can choose to scan one or both sides of the card (depending on your model of ScanSnap).

But the real beauty of CardIris (and CardMinder) is that not only can you export the data from the business card into many different formats, including vCard, Address Book, Outlook, Excel and Entourage, but you can keep the original image of the card in the CardIris application as well. That way, if you are a visual person (as many of my clients are) who can remember people more easily when they are associated with particular images, you will still have their business cards to remind you of them. CardIris also lets you type in notes that you may have jotted down on the card itself. Of course, with the growing creativity of business card graphics these days, sometimes I found myself having to enter printed data that the card reader didn’t recognize. But I would say that it got the information correct more than 80 percent of the time. And it was amazing to just press “export” and find all the data go straight into my Apple Address Book without any added effort on my part. I will definitely be teaching my organizing clients who own ScanSnap scanners how to use this great application and encouraging those who don’t to get it!

Penny Catterall is a professional organizer based in the Washington DC metro area who specializes in working with women-owned small businesses, helping them to achieve greater efficiency and profitability by developing and implementing organizing systems that are tailored to their specific needs.

Derek Flower
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.

Recently our Squad member Lorene Romero reached out to share a story about a truly exceptional woman, Marie Ganister, and the team of teachers she works with. This was not your typical “I was drowning in paper, save me ScanSnap” type story but more just a short tale of a group of creative teachers trying new ways to reach their students (okay it does involve a little bit of scanning.)

We applaud the efforts of these educators for figuring out new ways to teach their students and make a lasting impact on today’s youth. In appreciation of teachers everywhere who are breaking out of the classroom norms we share this story with you and thank you for all your hard work and creativity!

Jordyn Russell
Marketing Communications Manager
Fujitsu Computer Products America

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Every year, the five teachers (History, English, Business, and Culinary Arts) at Vineyard Academy – a school within a school at Windsor High – take our 140 juniors and seniors on a field trip to Armstrong Woods, a local State Park with giant redwoods and sequoia trees, many trails, and scenic locations. Our daylong trip culminates with the activity we call: Post Secret art project.

The Post Secret art project was created by Frank Warren, and is an activity that encourages students to create a postcard-size work of art that includes a personal secret. These works of art are completely anonymous, and can be made with all types of media. The students are well prepared for this “secret” art creation and have done much personal reflection before the actual field trip.

The 140 postcard-size works of art the students produce are then scanned individually and turned into a slide show that is shared with our entire Vineyard Academy. The magic happens when the students see others’ secrets and realize the universality of so many of these topics. As students realize that they share many of these same issues and troubles, the commonality of teenage angst and problems leads to an increased tolerance towards each other and a great bonding time for our students.

Marie Ganister is the Lead teacher in this curriculum combine, and as such, she leads the planning meetings and organizes the extra curricular activities that the Academy is involved with. At this time, her program is focused on a “Go Local, Buy Local” unit of study. She is hosting a panel of local food business owners and asking them to explain to students how buying local impacts their lives, and the lives of their employees. Students will flood the town of Windsor in two weeks with students conducting a survey on the topic of their buying habits. By examining the ethical and financial implications of buying local the combine hopes that students will end this unit with a socially conscious awareness of the money they spend in their community.

Vineyard Academy is an award winning education program. It received the Jack London Program of Excellence Award from the School of Education at Sonoma State University in 2012. Marie Ganister, the culinary instructor, and lead teacher, received the Educator of the Year award in Northern Sonoma County for 2013. Culinary students regularly win awards in competitions in the area. The program’s vineyard program produces 50 to 75 cases of Old Vine Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley wine appellation, at the award winning Taft Street Winery.

Now that you’ve freed up all that clutter in your office, it’s time to utilize that extra space with new ideas that will help with your everyday life. Don’t just leave empty space around the place, take advantage of it!

1. Add in that extra monitor you’ve always wanted but never had the space for. An extra monitor will allow you to get twice as much work done without having the trouble of switching between screens.
2. Neatly organize the documents you want to scan with a designated scanning station. With the ScanSnap iX500, keep documents with you wherever you go by scanning them directly to your Smartphone or iPad. This is the ultimate convenience for scanning on the go!
3. Digitizing your paperwork eliminates the need to file each and every single document. Add a paper shredder to ensure that those documents live only on your secured computer.
4. Going paperless allows for more space around your work area. Instead of pinning photos of your loved ones around your office, put them in picture frames where you can leave on your desk.
5. Sitting in your chair for multiple hours can be detrimental to your health. Replace the old filing cabinets with a stand up workstation. You can still get your work done while stretching out your legs.
6. Don’t have enough time to exercise outside of work? The treadmill workstation will solve this problem. Work out your body and your brain at the same time.
7. Liven up your office with a fish tank. A little décor goes a long way. Having a fish tank in the office is a calm and peaceful display to help set a good mood throughout the day.
8. No more need for excess paper or already scanned documents lying around. Go green and recycle them. Recycling helps the earth save trees by reusing the same paper instead of wasting multiple resources making new ones.
9. Going out to eat every day can be expensive and unhealthy. Add a mini-refrigerator to keep packed lunches, snacks, and refreshments that are readily accessible for you or anyone that comes into your office.
10. Add a water fountain in the corner of your office. The benefits of a water fountain include acting as a natural humidifier and also as a way to relieve stress. Actually take some time out of your day to listen to the sound of the water to soothe and relax your mind.

Pam Doyle
Imaging Products Group
Fujitsu Computer Products America

Derek Flower
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.

Harman Bola
Product Marketing
Fujitsu Computer Products America

From May 1^st through June 30^th when you buy a ScanSnap S1100 you can submit our rebate form to receive a free carrying case. This online rebate is easy to redeem; simply submit a copy of your invoice along with the scanner’s serial number on the online ScanSnap Promotions Portal. You can receive up to five carrying cases per customer/household.

Visit the rebate page to claim the offer at: http://www.scansnappromotions.acbrewards.com/Authorized/Home.aspx

I became a professional organizer officially seven years ago when I opened The Joyful Organizer. Since then I have been helping clients in their homes and businesses, get organized.

However, my goal is for my clients to no longer need me. I focus on developing systems that are easily maintained and follow their natural tendencies.

Getting organized isn’t about being perfect; it is about finding a system that works with your available time, space and budget. No one’s home or office is going to look like a catalog, so it is important to make it functional.

I think organizing isn’t just about getting rid of stuff. It is about living a better life. Being organized means less stress, more time for the things you love and time and space to do the important things like cook healthy meals and be physically active.

I love being organized and I think everyone’s life can be a bit better when it is in order.

An organized home is a joyful home.

Bonnie Joy Dewkett, CPO® (@TheJoyfulOrg) is a nationally recognized organizing expert, author, motivational speaker, and internet radio personality. She began organizing as a child, and she has been organizing ever since. Her company, The Joyful Organizer®, creates and implements organizational systems for the home and office. These changes allow her Customers to create calm from chaos at work and at home.