Scan-Optics Announces New Strategy, Workforce Reduction

Scan-Optics (Manchester, CT) has reaffirmed its stance on its shift in focus from hardware manufacturing to software and professional services. To this end, Scan-Optics will axe 33 employees in its hardware and manufacturing divisions. Nonetheless, the company expects to increase its software and professional services organization by more than 25% in 1998, and will add resources to its customer service and sales and marketing divisions. Overall, the shift in focus is expected to result in a 10% reduction in the company's workforce. "Although our imaging, OCR and paper handling hardware scanners remain pivotal to this strategy," said chairman, president and CEO James Mavel, "surrounding this capability with software and services is critical to the markets we serve."