Frequently Asked Questions

General

How much does InspirosScan cost?

A standard InspiroScan license is $1,699 the first year and $399 on renewal years.

An InspiroScan Multi-User license is $2,599 the first year and $699 on renewal years.

An InspiroScan SAT and ACT license is $4,598 the first year and $898 on renewal years.

The InspiroScan Form Creator website, where you create surveys, is free.

A one hour training session is included with any InspiroScan license purchase. Additional training and assistance with installation are offered via phone and/or web conference for a cost of $99 per hour. For additional pricing details please contact us.

All InspiroScan licenses include reasonable support for users who have attended a training session.

The InspiroScan Survey Campaign Tool starts at $299 per year for up to 12,000 online survey participants. This service allows you to give surveys online.

For additional pricing details please see the Cost Comparison section, the Costs section, or Contact Us.

How much do InspiroScan forms cost?

Standard InspiroScan exam forms cost $99 each.

The InspiroScan Form Creator is a free tool for creating your own simple one- and two-sided survey forms.

We can design custom exam or survey forms for $299 per side.

Forms are provided to you as PDFs, and you can print an unlimited number of copies. InspiroScan forms should be printed using a laser printer or professional printing.

How much does it cost to update an InspiroScan form?

The cost of updating a previously purchased InspiroScan form is determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, you can expect the following:

  1. Updates start at $49. This includes changes to logos, headers, and labels for zones that are not bubble zones.
  2. Updates to bubble zones (where information is collected in bubbles) start at $99. This includes changing the length of the ID number zone, changing the number of questions, changing the response range of the questions, etc.
  3. The less involved the changes are, the lower the cost.
  4. The maximum cost for updating an InspiroScan form is $299 per side. Extensive layout changers are the most likely thing to lead to a $299 per side cost.

What does my InspiroScan license include?

  1. All standard product updates
  2. Reasonable product support by phone, email, and/or web meeting

What's not included with my InspiroScan license?

The following services are available as quoted but are not included with your InspiroScan license:

  1. Product customizations
  2. Form development
  3. Data conversion
  4. Data manipulation and aggregation
  5. On-site installation and training

What is and isn't reasonable support?

Your InspiroScan subscription includes reasonable support for anyone who has received training, but what does that mean?

Included:

  1. Help understanding and using InspiroScan's features
  2. Help troubleshooting any InspiroScan warnings or errors
  3. Help troubleshooting scan quality issues to improve mark recognition

Not included:

  1. Data conversion
  2. Data manipulation and aggregation
  3. On-site installation and training

Can I schedule a one-on-one training session?

A one hour training session is included with each purchase of InspiroScan. The training is conducted live via web meeting and is tailored to how you will be using InspiroScan.

An InspiroScan specialist will take you through using the software step-by-step and you will be able to get answers to any questions you have.

Additional one-hour training sessions are available for $99.

If I have multiple licenses do I need to pay the annual subscription fee for each?

Yes, the annual subscription fee is per license.

What is the difference between a survey and exam?

In brief, an exam collects data that is scored and a survey collects data that is not scored.

In InspiroScan, an exam form is a bubble form that:

  1. Collects exam, exam, or quiz responses
  2. Has response values ranging from A through, at the most, H or 1 through 8
  3. Has multiple choice items where the student is required to pick one response per item
  4. Does not include the text of each item on the bubble form. Note, however, that because exam forms are created by Inspironix, we can include item text on your custom exam form if desired

In InspiroScan, a survey form is a bubble form that:

  1. Collects survey, class evaluation, instructor evaluation, safety evaluation, ballot responses, etc.
  2. Has Likert Scale, Multiple Choice, and/or Narrative responses
    1. Likert Scale: Has response values covering a small numeric range, with the minimum value no less than 0 and the maximum value no more than 9. Each item can have a response range that meets these rules, such as 0-4, 1-3, 5-1, or 0-9
    2. Multiple Choice: Lists several text and/or numeric options where the person selects one or more applicable responses per question. The following are examples of potential Multiple Choice questions:
      1. Gender
      2. Grade Level
      3. Job Title
      4. Major
      5. Job Shift
      6. Department
    3. Narrative: Questions where people write their response in by hand. Images of the handwritten responses can be included in InspiroScan's Excel reports
  3. Includes the text of each item on the bubble form itself. Note, however, that survey forms created by Inspironix do not need to include the question text on the survey form

Can I use the same InspiroScan license for exams and surveys?

Yes!

Can I create my own forms?

Users can create survey forms for InspiroScan through the InspiroScan Form Creator website. Currently exam forms for InspiroScan must be developed by InspiroScan staff.

Can custom reports be designed to meet my specific needs?

Yes! There is a one-time customization cost that depends on the specifics of the desired report(s). Please send us details about what you're looking for.

How do I move InspiroScan from an old computer to a new computer?

Follow the steps provided in the following InspiroScan User Guide section: Moving InspiroScan to a New Computer.

How do I upgrade InspiroScan?

Your InspiroScan license entitles you to free upgrades. Follow the steps provided in the following InspiroScan User Guide section: Upgrading Your InspiroScan Installation.

The upgrade instructions say to download the Evaluation Copy. Will installing this expire my current InspiroScan installation?

No. When you install the latest InspiroScan Evaluation Copy in the same location as your current InspiroScan installation, the Evaluation Copy will automatically be converted to a live copy using your existing InspiroScan license data.

How should InspiroScan forms be printed?

Forms can be printed from Adobe Acrobat Reader, Acrobat, or a similar program.

Double-sided forms should be printed front-to-back (duplex). All forms should be printed at Actual size or with Page scaling set to None. Avoid all options such as Fit, Shrink, Scale, etc. Do not use a toner-saving option when printing forms.

Exams

How do answer keys work with InspiroScan?

With InspiroScan you can enter Answer Keys in a password protected part of the system. You can also use Paper Answer Keys if desired.

What reports does InspiroScan include?

All reports are created as Excel workbooks. Please see our Exam Reports page for a list of reports, descriptions, and examples.

Does InspiroScan mark incorrect answers on bubble forms?

InspiroScan does not mark incorrect answers on bubble forms. InspiroScan is used on computers running Windows (Mac or PC). It uses inexpensive, off-the-shelf scanners, and results are shown in the Excel reports that can be generated for each batch, or for multiple batches together.

Surveys

Do I have to print my surveys or can I have people take them online?

Survey data can be collected online and on bubble forms.

To collect data online, sign up for our InspiroScan Survey Campaign Tool service. Then, simply create your survey in the InspiroScan Form Creator, enter your recipient email addresses, set up your campaign, then click Send. It's fast and easy. Everyone you selected for the campaign will be emailed a link to take your survey.

The InspiroScan Survey Campaign Tool starts at $299 per year for up to 12,000 online survey participants.

What reports does InspiroScan include for surveys?

All reports are created as Excel workbooks. Please see our Survey Reports page for a list of reports, descriptions, and examples.

Can I include narrative (handwritten) questions in my survey?

Yes!

How many pages can my survey be?

Your InspiroScan Form Creator surveys can be a maximum of 2 sides (1 page front and back), and 2 side surveys must be printed duplex.

Custom InspiroScan survey forms can be up to 16 sides (8 pages front and back) and must be printed duplex.

Is there a limit to the number of surveys I can create for free?

No, you can create as many surveys as you'd like.

Scanners

I already own an off-the-shelf scanner. Can I use it with InspiroScan?

Yes.

If your scanner is TWAIN compliant and you have the TWAIN driver installed, InspiroScan can directly control your scanner.

Otherwise, InspiroScan can process scans created with your existing scanning software. Just use these settings:

  1. Scan type: black and white (monochrome, not grayscale)
  2. Scan resolution: 300dpi
  3. File type: TIFF

Can I use InspiroScan with a networked scanner or multifunction machine?

Yes.

If your scanner is TWAIN compliant and you have the TWAIN driver installed, InspiroScan can directly control your scanner.

Otherwise, InspiroScan can process scans created with your existing scanning software. Just use these settings:

  1. Scan type: black and white (monochrome, not grayscale)
  2. Scan resolution: 300dpi
  3. File type: TIFF

How do I know if my scanner will work with InspiroScan?

Many dedicated scanners and multifunction machines will work with InspiroScan. Compatible scanners will:

  1. Be able to save in TIFF format
  2. Be able to scan in monochrome / black and white (grayscale may also be compatible)
  3. Be able to scan two-sided (duplex) for scanning double-sided forms
  4. Have an automatic sheet feeder so that you don't have to manually load each page
  5. Be TWAIN compliant. This is only necessary if you want InspiroScan to control the scanner directly. Read more below.

Check the technical specifications for your scanner to see if it meets these requirements.

TWAIN compliancy

InspiroScan can directly control a TWAIN complaint scanner. To see if your scanner is TWAIN complaint, check the manufacturer's website for a TWAIN driver. Whether a TWAIN driver is provided is usually specified in the technical specifications for a particular model. You can also check the driver downloads section for a particular model to see if the driver is available for download.

If your scanner doesn't have a TWAIN driver but meets the first four requirements listed above, you can still use it with InspiroScan. InspiroScan supports processing a scan file created by other software.

Not sure if your scanner is compatible? Contact us.

Using InspiroScan

Evaluation Copy Users: How do I get started?

  1. Print copies of the sample bubble form (provided as a PDF in C:\InspiroScan\Definitions\). Fill out the bubble forms with sample data. Be sure to print at Actual size (or with Page Scaling set to None).
  2. Load the sheets in your scanner. Be sure the forms are placed in the sheet feeder correctly, so that the front side of each form will be scanned.
  3. Click Scan Forms.
  4. Leave the default Answer Key option selected.
  5. In the Select Source window select the TWAIN driver for the scanner you wish to use. For Fujitsu scanners, the TWAIN driver starts with "FUJITSU". Click Select.
  6. When the scan is complete you will receive a message giving you the ability to add more sheets to the sheet feeder, or to end the scan. Click No to indicate that you're finished scanning.
  7. Your scan results will appear in the main results grid. You can double click on any row to view the details for that form.
  8. Click Reports to generate reports in Excel.

How do I view a form?

If you double-click a row in the results grid, you'll be able to view the form and edit the data for the form.

How do I zoom in on a form?

If you double-click a row in the results grid, you'll be able to view the form. To zoom in and out on the form, click the image of the form, and then roll your mouse wheel, or right click and select Zoom.

What do I do with unscannable forms?

If a form cannot be scanned, its row in the results grid will be red. You can delete a form from a batch by using the red X in the Delete column, or rescan the batch of forms. You manually enter the data by double-clicking the row and typing the response to each item. You can also check the paper form to see if there are problems with the registration marks ("T" shapes near the four corners of the form), or timing marks (black rectangles going down the sides of the form).

Troubleshooting

Why does InspiroScan say my license is expired?

Updated license file(s) are emailed after payment is received for your InspiroScan renewal. License file(s) need to be saved in your main InspiroScan folder. If we haven't received your renewal payment, the license file hasn't been saved, or hasn't been correctly saved, you will receive a license expiration message.

Call us to renew today, or follow these troubleshooting steps if you have already renewed.

Troubleshooting an expired license file

If you are receiving a license expiration message and have renewed your InspiroScan license, try the following:

  1. Find the email with your updated InspiroScan license file. The email will have been sent shortly after we received your renewal payment and will have a subject of Updated InspiroScan License File(s) or Updated InspiroScan License File(s) and Payment Receipt. Either, or both, of these two license files will be attached to the email.
    1. SCnfg.dbf
    2. LCnfg.dbf
  2. Do not try to open the license files. Your computer will likely not be able to.
  3. Save the license file(s) in your main InspiroScan folder, replacing the existing license file(s). If you don't know where your InspiroScan folder is, follow these steps:
    1. If you have InspiroScan Multi-User, skip this step. Check to see if C:\InspiroScan\ exists. This is where InspiroScan is installed by default.
    2. If there is no C:\InspiroScan\ folder, or if you have InspiroScan Multi-User, locate the InspiroScan shortcut on your desktop.
    3. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties.
    4. The location of your InspiroScan installation will be listed next to “Target”. You can also click the Open File Location button to go directly to this folder.
  4. Try running InspiroScan again.
  5. If you still receive the license expiration message, delete all license files that exist in your InspiroScan folder and in any folder(s) you save the license file(s) to prior to moving them to the InspiroScan folder, such as your Downloads folder. This includes deleting any license files that have version numbers, such as: SCnfg(1).dbf, SCnfg(2).dbf, LCnfg(1).dbf, LCnfg(2).dbf
  6. Complete steps 1–4 above after deleting all existing license files.
  7. If you still receive the license expiration message, double check that you are saving the license file(s) in the correct InspiroScan folder. Sometimes people will have more than one InspiroScan installation without realizing it. The best way to check where to save the license file is detailed in step 3 above.
  8. If you are still receiving a license expiration message, contact us.

Troubleshooting an issue that only happens with one specific batch

Are all of your batches processing well except one? We can help you figure out the issue. Please email us:

  1. The scan file for the batch.
    1. Using Scan Forms
      1. InspiroScan saves the scan file for the most recently processed batch directly in the main InspiroScan folder (typically C:\InspiroScan\. It will be called CurrentScan.tif).
      2. If you are naming the scan file on the Batch Setup screen, the relevant scan file will be under the name you entered, in the Scans subfolder of the main InspiroScan folder (typically C:\InspiroScan\Scans\).
    2. Using Process Existing Scan
      1. This is the scan file you're selecting for InspiroScan to process.
  2. The name of the Form Definition you're using.
  3. If this is a form you created using the InspiroScan Form Creator, please email the Form Definition as well. Form Definitions are saved in the Definitions subfolder of the main InspiroScan folder (typically C:\InspiroScan\Definitions\).

Troubleshooting an issue that happens with all your batches

If all of your batches are processing with the same issue, you likely have a scan quality problem. We can verify this, or see what else the issue may be.

Please email us:

  1. The scan file for one of the batches:
    1. Using Scan Forms
      1. InspiroScan saves the scan file for the most recently processed batch directly in the main InspiroScan folder (typically C:\InspiroScan\. It will be called CurrentScan.tif).
      2. If you are naming the scan file on the Batch Setup screen, the relevant scan file will be under the name you entered, in the Scans subfolder of the main InspiroScan folder (typically C:\InspiroScan\Scans\).
    2. Using Process Existing Scan
      1. One of the scan file you're selecting for InspiroScan to process.

My scanner isn't showing up in the Select Source list. What do I do?

If your scanner isn't showing in the list of scanners first check to make sure the scanner is powered on and that the cable that runs between your scanner and computer is connected. If the scanner still does not show up in the list, exit InspiroScan, install the TWAIN driver for your scanner, and then try again after rebooting your computer.

All my rows are yellow. What happened?

Yellow indicates that a form may have missing marks. To check, double-click a row in the results grid. After you double click you'll be able to view the form and see if the data for the form is missing any values. Zones with missing values will be highlighted yellow. You can edit the data for the form if desired, and click Save Changes and Exit to save your changes. If data from bubbles that are completely filled in is being missed, please see Light marks are being missed. What do I do?

Light marks are being missed. What do I do?

You can adjust the Black / White Threshold by clicking Manage System, then entering the password, admin. Once you're in the Manage System, click Scanner Settings. Then change the Black / White Threshold to a higher value. Typically, changing the value by 10 has a noticeable effect. For example, if the Black / White Threshold is 130, change it to 140. Click Exit and then Yes to save your changes.

If adjusting the Black / White Threshold doesn't resolve the issue, you can also try scanning in grayscale. In Scanner Settings, check the Scan Forms in Grayscale instead of Monochrome option. Once scanning in grayscale, you can adjust the darkness using the Grayscale Threshold.

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