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Hands-On Test Report, Videos and Photo Gallery: Brother’s ImageCenter ADS-2500We Document Scanner

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Management and Security
The ADS-2500We can be managed via its EWS (Embedded Web Server) and the Remote Configuration Utility. It is also compatible with Brother BRAdmin Professional/Light fleet-management solutions. Security is provided via Secure Function Lock (users must log-in and can be locked out from using selected functions). For security, there’s also network user-authentication and LDAP (corporate email-address look-up via Active Directory).

Cost Per Scan and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Unlike printers, the ADS-2500We has minimal consumables.  The pickup roller PUR-A0001 costs $25.99 and is good for 50,000 scans. The SP-A0001 separation pad costs $19.99 and also yields 50,000 scans. With its 2.0-watt power consumption in Deep Sleep mode and its  20-watt maximum power consumption while scanning, the ADS-2500We consumes a minimal amount of energy.  That said, the TCO for the ADS-2500We when used for five years at the recommended monthly volume of 1,500 scans (not including energy costs) works out to:

Total Cost of Ownership – ($699.99 [MSRP] +$82.76 [Consumables]) = $782.75
Cost Per Scan – 0.87¢

Value
This is a highly customizable business scanner with minimal operating costs, and its value is competitive with that of other business scanners in this class.

Recommendation
Not all scanners are created equal. Some are designed for authenticated and advanced workflows in vertical markets and enterprises, while others are catch-all systems that are built-into MFPs and All-in-Ones. Still others are designed for the scanning and distribution of photos and slides. Brother’s ImageCenter ADS-2500We provides another alternative: it’s designed for and performs well as a scanner (or digital on-ramp) for offices and companies that find their MFP or All-in-One’s scanner system is either under-featured, confusing to manage and/or use, or unable to withstand the volume of scans that their workflows and office-communications applications demand. Finally, others may find that the time that users spend scanning documents with the company’s MFP or All-in-One impedes its use by others who may want to print, copy, or fax with the unit.

In testing, we found that the Brother ImageScan ADS-2500W performed very well and was very easy to manage and use. On the downside, software installation and setup is lengthy and can be somewhat complex, especially if performed by novices or for advanced workflows. Nonetheless, we feel that it displayed Outstanding Performance and is an excellent value for any office or company that requires a manageable digital on-ramp for communication  and authenticated and/or customized workflows that exceed the capabilities provided by most desktop MFPs and All-in-Ones.

Additional Resources

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