More than you might want to know...
We make mostly test targets; i.e., patterns assembled into a group that meets one or another industry standard. We manufacture an equivalent to the NBS 1010a/ISO#2 (Now called the AIIM/ANSI 1010a/ISO#2) microcopy chart in positive, reflective material (our code PM-l).

A word about A&P.
We have been manufacturing targets for microfilm for 25 years and more recently for the scanner industry. Rest assured our PM Series of photographic targets all meet the various standards quoted, which is why we give only the PM Series A&P's Certificate of Compliance. We also make convenience targets that are paper printed, for those users who understand the difference between standards equivalency/compliance and convenience.

Convenience targets generally are of higher quantity and less expensive as noted with each item. We are careful not to mislead people. Convenience targets are that per se. They are not 'Cheap printed targets!' They are not cheap at all! We reduce the number of line pairs per mm to match the capability of a printing press, sometimes to 4.0, sometimes to 8.0 and other times to 10.0, depending upon the wishes of our customers who would go broke unnecessarily using more expensive photographic targets. We private brand both photographic and press printed targets to major corporations in our industry under their logo.

Quack, Quack (our computer clock sound which is better than Toot, Toot!)

We have been trade members of the Association for Information & Image Management (AIIM International) for ten years and to have served on standards committees, helping to write microfilm standards. You'll see our name as progenitor in the credits of a dozen or so AIIM Standards. In 1996, A&P received the inaugural AIIM Standards Excellence Award for our contributions over the last decade and achievement above and beyond. A bona fide honor! We also are a member of AIIM/FBIA.

I, personally, as an American Records Management (ARMA) member, ensure that 'A&P subscribes to and supports the policies of ARMA International'. (We say it that way because individuals, not companies are members of the association)

Quo Certified & Standard?
For a number of years we have been trying to get our government: the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to understand our position as a manufacturer. We make targets which are equivalent to the ones these groups sometimes specify. Only sometimes they specify the use of CERTIFIED targets; i.e., those which have been 'looked at' by the government (NIST) who provides a certificate to that end and adds about five dollars per target for their effort! The government does not make the targets; manufacturers like A&P make them.

Some say our targets must be 'traceable to NIST', and they are. Here's why: Targets we manufacture are to made a Standard and are equivalent to that industry standard recommendation; i.e., The AIIM/ANSI 1010a, ISO #2 Microcopy test chart. It is to that standard (not the government) that we must comply. And that is the essence of our argument. Our contention is that government is restraining trade and is doubtfully legal by specifying that certified targets be used in microfilming their work. They are forcing microfilmers to buy a more expensive product that really is no different from the one(s) you can buy from a manufacturer for less: A '$5 eyeball' is mindful of the $100 toilet seat!

We did get the GPO to rewrite their contract specs to say that targets must 'comply with' the above mentioned target. (See copy of GPO letter) Now we're working with John W. Carlin, Archivist of the United States, who promises to review wording in NARA micrographic records management regulations (36 CFR Part 1230) at next review.

We'd appreciate a call if you ever are 'forced' to buy 'Certified' targets or want to chew on this old bone. All government contract microfilm inspectors by now should be clued into 'EQUIVALENCY' and 'COMPLY WITH'.

Thanks for sticking with us thus far! Now scroll on to why we hope you're visiting here in the first place!

Paul G. Montgomery,
President

[Home] - [Scanner Targets] - [Microfilm Targets]
[Microscopes & Lupes] - [Density Scales] - [Other Microfilm Supplies]
ã A & P International 2008