Economics of image and document handling: the changing role of micrographics

The various tasks associated with image and document handling are analyzed with respect to properties of competing technologies and media, such as micrographics, video technologies and interactive computer systems with magnetic or optical data disks. It is shown how changing economic parameters modify the spectrum of advantageous applications of micrographics. The benefits of integrating micrographics components into various types of computer-aided systems are emphasized.