Do you have boxes of papers that you’d like to scan so you can empty your closet or storage area then easily access them on your Mac laptop when you travel?

Do you have some large blueprints or drawings that don’t fit on your office scanner? Do you want to convert microfilm to be read on your Mac?

In any of these cases, you should check out US Archive and Imaging Services (USArchive). They are an Issaquah-based company that can help you with your scanning, document management and shredding needs while using their standard and large-format, high-speed scanners to scan any documents. They prep your documents first by removing staples, sticky notes and even paperclips, then they turn your documents into searchable PDFs or any other file type you desire. US Archive offers cloud-based and on-premise document access as well as storage solutions.  Once the scanning is finished you have some choices. They will return your documents in the exact order that you gave them to them, or if you’d like they can securely destroy (shred) the documents.

There are several factors that affect the cost of your job, but in general a rough cost would be around 9 cents per page (this including prep, scanning and indexing.) Note, a standard records box holds about 2,200 sheets of paper. I recently had them scan a box of my records and found them to be very responsive and friendly. If you’d like to learn more about US Archive and their services, check out their Frequently Asked Questions web page.  Another interesting note is that US Archive has partnered with AtWork. AtWork is a 50 year old local non-profit which focuses on finding work for people with disabilities. Hiring US Archive supports AtWork’s efforts to help teach new skills to these individuals and help them to get meaningful employment.

Do you have occasional shredding needs that are too much for the shredder that you have in your office or at home? If so, you might like to know about Datasite’s residential shredding services This is an excellent service for Puget Sound small office and home office customers.

[Update May 2012: US Archive and Imaging offers shredding services. Their drop-off center is in Issaquah.]

[Update Jan 2011: I recently learned that most OfficeMax stores offer a drop off shredding service. A press release shows that OfficeMax teamed up with Shred-It to offer this service about a year ago. In my local OfficeMax store I was told that they charge $.59 per pound of paper. You can drop off paper and they'll store it in a secure storage bin. A truck visits their store weekly to pick up the contents of the storage box and hauls it to Shred-It's shredding facility. For small shredding jobs this is the best value I've found. For larger shredding jobs DataSite's drop-off residential shredding service is an even better value.]

[Update Nov 2010: Sip & Ship offers a drop off shredding service. They charge $1 per pound of paper or $10 per bankers box. You can drop off paper at either their Ballard or Greenwood location. The shredding is done at their Greenwood location. I've been a long-time user of Sip & Ship's services which I discuss in this Tech Tip.]

Below are some excerpts from their web site that were current as of early 2010:

DataSite’s Residential Shredding Service meets the needs of the self-employed as well as serving the occasional shredding needs of any resident of the King – Snohomish County area. We recommend shredding your unnecessary bank statements, invoices, utility bills and miscellaneous private information. Clients collect information in a container either provided by DataSite or one of their own choosing.

Our customers may either drop off the collected material at one of two DataSite facilities, or schedule an on-site shredding appointment.

How much does it cost?

For drop-off service there is a minimum charge of $30.00. This is for up to 7 standard letter legal size records boxes (about the size of a copier paper box) or the equivalent.  Additional boxes are charged at $4.00 per box with additional discounts applied for larger volumes.

Document Destruction Boxes DataSite’s new Document Destruction Boxes may be purchased 3 for $25.00.  This includes the shredding once the containers are full.

Once they’re filled simply drop them off at DataSite for shredding.

On-site shredding is available with a minimum service charge of $75.00.

Where are you located?

DataSite has two convenient drop-off locations

Seattle: 9401 Aurora Ave North

Bellevue: 12000 N.E. 8th, Lower Level

How does it work?

Simply bring your sensitive materials to a DataSite facility and come into the office.  A DataSite staff member will bring a mobile locking tote to your vehicle or for larger volumes a pallet.  We do all the heavy lifting.  These materials are staged for shredding later in the day.  You will be issued a Certificate of Destruction for your records.

Do I have to remove staples and paper clips?  Can you destroy computer media?

No – our state of the art shredding equipment handles staples and paper clips with ease.  Report covers, hard bound books and even x-rays are no problem.