IBM document processors
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Document processing, Financial technology |
| Founded | 1934 |
| Founder | IBM |
| Defunct | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Poughkeepsie , United States |
Area served | Global (notably United States, United Kingdom, Europe) |
Key people | Not specified |
| Products | Proof machines, inscribers, document reader/sorters (e.g., IBM 801, IBM 802, IBM 1255, IBM 1270) |
| Owner | IBM |
| Parent | IBM |
IBM produced and marketed document processing devices—including proof machines, inscribers, and document reader/sorters—targeted at financial institutions from 1934 until 2005.
IBM and document processing
Prior to the advent of computers, cheque handling was performed manually. Recognizing the potential for automation, IBM introduced the IBM 801 Bank Proof machine in 1934, which replaced handwritten ledger entries and streamlined teller functions.
By the mid-1950s, banks were experiencing a surge in cheque transactions; for instance, Bank of America’s checking accounts grew by 23,000 per month, leading to early branch closures. In the United Kingdom, cheque clearing volumes escalated from 250 million in 1938 to more than 500 million by 1964.
Technological advancements emerged from firms such as EMI in the UK and Bull in France, which developed methods to render cheques machine-readable through pre-printed or inscribed characters. IBM’s research facility in Poughkeepsie engineered mechanical feeding mechanisms utilizing friction wheels and belts to manage paper cheques—tasks that punched card technology could not handle. Concurrently, IBM partnered on a magnetic ink barcode system demonstrated to Barclays Bank in 1957. Nevertheless, the American Bankers Association (ABA) selected General Electric’s E-13B MICR font as the US standard in 1958 due to concerns over cost and visual appeal associated with IBM’s approach. Following this, IBM created a multi-track MICR read head and launched the IBM 1210 model in 1959. Additionally, IBM Supplies expanded into selling pre-printed paper cheques.
In 1959, IBM’s principal competitors included Burroughs with its B101 Reader/Sorter and NCR, which offered a sorter co-developed with Pitney-Bowes incorporating GE components.
By 1963, ANSI formalized the ABA’s MICR specifications as the American Standard; subsequently, other nations such as the UK, Canada, and Australia adopted similar standards. The French CMC-7 standard was ratified in 1964 and gained widespread acceptance throughout Europe and South America.
The deployment of sorters generally coincided with the installation of computer systems. For example, Barclays initially leased an IBM 1210 in 1960 for offline operations before procuring an IBM 1419 connected to an IBM 1401 computer in 1963. Likewise, Martins Bank received an IBM 1412 unit in 1961 but did not fully implement it until April 1963.
Document processing entailed loading papers into a proof machine hopper and sequentially feeding them through several stages:
- Reading: Operators manually entered document amounts; machines maintained totals and generated reports.
- Inscribing: Printing values on documents allowed electrical reading by proof machines or reader/sorters.
- Endorsing: Applying stamps on one or both sides of documents.
- Sorting: Proof machines organized documents into designated pockets.
For instance, the IBM 4723 processed items through these steps: Hopper → View → Slot → Read → Front Stamp (Endorse) → Audit Trail Print → Inscribe → Back Stamp (Endorse) → Sorting into pockets.
Once proofing was complete, documents proceeded to reader/sorters for data extraction and final sorting tasks. These sorters could also endorse documents, print sequence numbers, capture microfilm images, or later incorporate document imaging technology.
IBM 801
Introduced in 1934, the IBM 801 was capable of listing checks, separating them, endorsing them, and tallying totals. It was discontinued on January 18, 1956. This model is distinct from the later IBM 801 processor.
IBM 802
Introduced in July 1949, the IBM 802 proofing device was capable of sorting, listing, proving, endorsing checks, and distributing them into 24 separate pockets. It was officially discontinued on June 28, 1965.
IBM 803
Also launched in July 1949, the IBM 803 proofing machine offered similar functionalities to the 802 but sorted checks into 32 pockets instead. This model remained listed in the IBM Sales Manual until December 18, 1981.
IBM 1201
The IBM 1201 proof inscriber, which bore resemblance to the IBM 803, introduced the additional feature of document inscribing. It was available in ten different models with options that included up to 32 pockets and optional document endorsing capabilities. Production commenced at IBM Rochester in August 1961. In 1963, IBM Supplies released an improved endorsing roll for the 1201, capable of performing up to 375,000 endorsements. The model was withdrawn from service on November 22, 1978.
IBM 1202
The IBM 1202 Utility Inscriber functioned as an electric typewriter designed specifically for inscribing documents prior to sorting. It was announced on January 12, 1959, and withdrawn on April 26, 1966.
IBM 1203
Manufactured by IBM Rochester and announced on March 8, 1961, the IBM 1203 unit inscriber printed numerals and special characters on documents using magnetic ink and also operated as an adding machine. This model was retired on November 22, 1978.
IBM 1206
Known as a coder or encoder, the IBM 1206 was a CMC-7 inscriber. In 1970, the Belgian GIRO Administration utilized twenty-six units connected to Olympia adding machines.
IBM 1260
The IBM 1260 Electronic Inscriber was a proofing machine equipped with eight stackers for document inscribing and optional endorsing. Additional external stackers could be attached as needed. Produced by IBM Rochester until September 1971, it continued to be available for rental for several years afterward. The unit measured approximately . Officially announced on July 1, 1965, it was withdrawn on December 18, 1981.
IBM 4723
Introduced in May 1982, the IBM 4723 Finance Communication Document Processor was a compact desktop reader and inscriber designed to connect with IBM 3600 or IBM 4700 Banking controllers via B-Loop. Developed at the IBM Nordic Laboratory in Lidingoe, Sweden, it was manufactured in Greenock, United Kingdom.
Reader/Sorters
IBM's range of sorter products included various families such as the OEM IBM 1259 capable of processing up to 600 documents per minute; smaller models like the 1255 and 1270 with speeds ranging from 500 to 750 documents per minute; and higher capacity models including the 1210, 1412, 1419, and 1275 handling between 900 and 1600 documents per minute. Mid-tier sorters comprised models like the 3892 and the more compact 3891. The high-speed category was led by the IBM 3890 with throughput reaching up to 2400 documents per minute.
IBM 1255 / IBM 1270
The IBM 1255 is a MICR reader/sorter whereas the IBM 1270 is an OCR reader/sorter that utilizes the same sorting mechanism but incorporates enhanced processing hardware. Versions equipped with CMC-7 were not marketed within the United States.
Documents are fed into an input hopper that holds a stack up to five and a half inches tall through gravity feed; each output stacker pocket can accommodate up to two and a half inches of documents.
Sorting operations generally occur in two stages when using a six-stacker sorter: during the first phase, even digits are distributed into five stackers while odd digits are rejected; in the second phase, odd digits are sorted accordingly. Operators have the option to leave output from phase one undisturbed for phase two processing. A twelve-stacker sorter allows single-phase sorting using ten stackers for sorting purposes and two dedicated to rejects and special categories.
Both models interface with IBM System/3, System/32, System/34, or System/36 through serial I/O channel adapters and support connectivity to System/360 or System/370 parallel channels.
IBM 1255
The IBM 1255 series includes six variants distinguished by their maximum processing speed, number of stacker pockets, and MICR format (either E-13B or CMC-7). Models 1, 2, and 3 utilize the E-13B MICR standard, while models 21, 22, and 23 employ CMC-7. Among these, models 1, 2, 21, and 22 feature six stacker pockets, whereas models 3 and 23 are equipped with twelve.
| Model | MICR Type | Announced | Withdrawn | Documents
per minute |
Stacker
pockets |
Length | Width | Height | Weight | Heat output/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1255-1 | E-13B | Oct 20, 1970 | Oct 1, 1985 | 500 | 6 | 99 cm (39 in) | 75 cm (30 in) | 140 cm (55 in) | 255 kg (562 lb) | 2,600 BTU (660 kcal) |
| 1255-2 | E-13B | Oct 20, 1970 | Oct 1, 1985 | 750 | 6 | 99 cm (39 in) | 75 cm (30 in) | 140 cm (55 in) | 255 kg (562 lb) | 2,600 BTU (660 kcal) |
| 1255-3 | E-13B | Oct 20, 1970 | Nov 3, 1987 | 750 | 12 | 149 cm (59 in) | 75 cm (30 in) | 140 cm (55 in) | 320 kg (710 lb) | 2,600 BTU (660 kcal) |
| 1255-21 | CMC-7 | 500 | 6 | 99 cm (39 in) | 75 cm (30 in) | cm}} | {{Cvt{255}|kg}|lb}} | {{Cvt{2600}|btu}|kcal}} | ||
| 1255-22 | CMC-7 | 750 | 6 | {{Cvt{99}|cm}} | {{Cvt{75}|cm}} | {{Cvt{140}|cm}} | {{Cvt{255}|kg}|lb}} | {{Cvt{2600}|btu}|kcal}} | ||
| 1255-23 | CMC-7 | 750 | 12 | {{Cvt{149}|cm}} | {{Cvt{75}|cm}} | {{Cvt{140}|cm}} | {{Cvt{320}|kg}|lb}} | {{Cvt{2600}|btu}|kcal}} | ||
| 1270-1/3 | OCR | 6 | {{Cvt{198}|cm}} | {{Cvt{75}|cm}} | {{Cvt{140}|cm}} | {{Cvt{650}|kg}|lb}} | {{Cvt{8000}|btu}|kcal}} | |||
| 1270-2/4 | OCR | 12 | {{Cvt{198}|cm}} | {{Cvt{75}|cm}} | {{Cvt{140}|cm}} | {{Cvt{650}|kg}|lb}} | {{Cvt{8000}|btu}|kcal}} |
IBM 1270
The IBM 1270 line comprises four variants that differ primarily in the number of stacker pockets: Models 1 and 3 contain six pockets each, while Models 2 and 4 are outfitted with twelve. Compared to the IBM 1255 series, the IBM 1270 units are both larger in size and heavier. Notably, much of the hardware required for the additional pockets found in Models 2 and 4 is already present within Models 1 and 3.
IBM 1259
Introduced on September 20, 1967, the IBM 1259 was designed to operate alongside IBM System/360 Models 20, 30, and 40. It was capable of reading and sorting cheques at speeds reaching up to 600 documents per minute into eleven stacker pockets. Production ceased on July 16, 1973. This equipment was manufactured by Lundy Electronics & Systems located in Glen Head, New York, with initial deliveries commencing in the third quarter of 1968.
The model range included numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 31, 33, and 34. The specifications listed below correspond to Model 2.
September 20, 1967 | July 16, 1973 |600 |11 | 78 in (200 cm) | 29+1⁄4 in (74 cm) | 61+5⁄8 in (157 cm) | 1,250 lb (570 kg) | 5,000 BTU (1,300 kcal)| Announced !Withdrawn !Documents per minute !Stacker pockets !Length !Width !Height !Weight !Heat output/hr |
|---|
IBM 1210
Launched on January 1, 1959, the IBM 1210 was capable of reading and sorting E-13B cheques at a rate of up to nine hundred per minute. A Model 4 variant of the IBM 1210 Sorter-Reader could be connected directly to an IBM 1401. The Model 4 was discontinued from sales on September 16, 1960; meanwhile, Models 1 through 3 were withdrawn on April 26, 1966. In addition to direct sales, the Service Bureau Corporation provided document sorting services utilizing the IBM 1210 as early as 1961. For example, the Pacific State Bank located in Hawthorne, California processed approximately eleven thousand checks daily through SBC’s service which returned sorted documents by the following morning.
IBM 1219
Introduced on August 24, 1961—the identical date as the IBM 1419—the IBM 1219 was designed to sort documents printed or marked magnetically. It remained in service until its discontinuation on February 2, 1971.
IBM 1275 Optical Reader Sorter
The IBM 1275 Recognition System functions as a check reader sorter that interprets OCR fonts rather than MICR fonts. It incorporates the same sorting mechanism found in the IBM 1419 (and IBM 1218/1228), augmented with a character recognition unit to accommodate a transport velocity of 6.7 meters per second, necessitating accelerated recognition processing. Developed at IBM’s Uithoorn facility in The Netherlands, with collaboration from IBM locations in Rochester and Endicott, the system uses a vertical array of 82 photodiodes to detect light reflected from tungsten filament lamps. Seventy-two photodiodes scan a 9.1 mm band to identify OCR characters, while five photodiodes positioned above and below detect cancellation marks and anomalies. Operating near the infrared range, this technology is based on instrumentation originally created for the IBM 1975 Optical Page Reader.
The IBM 1275 is capable of recognizing numeric digits along with four special symbols from both the OCR-A and OCR-B font sets.
| Model | Announced | Withdrawn | Documents per minute | Stacker pockets | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Heat output/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or 4 | 13 | 160 in (410 cm) | 41+1⁄2 in (105 cm) | 60+1⁄2 in (154 cm) | 3,465 lb (1,572 kg) | 17,000 BTU (4,300 kcal) |
The system is delivered in three separate frames:
| Frame | Function | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Control unit | 48+1⁄2 in (123 cm) | 660 lb (300 kg) |
| 2 | Stacker assembly | 71+1⁄2 in (182 cm) | 1,805 lb (819 kg) |
| 3 | Feeder section | 40 in (100 cm) | 1,000 lb (450 kg) |
IBM 1412
Capable of processing up to 950 documents per minute using the E-13B character set, the IBM 1412 sorts inputs into thirteen pockets. Its operational capabilities closely resemble those of the subsequent IBM 1419 model. A single IBM 1412 Magnetic Character Reader can be linked to an IBM 1401 system through a 7080 Serial Input-Output Adapter. The feed hopper holds approximately twelve inches of documents, accommodating between 600 and 1,200 sheets, while each output pocket can hold a stack measuring up to 4.5 inches.
| Announced | Withdrawn | Documents per minute | Stacker pockets | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Heat output/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16, 1960 | February 2, 1971 | 950 | 13 | 112 in (280 cm) | 41+1⁄4 in (105 cm) | 60+1⁄4 in (153 cm) | 2,475 lb (1,123 kg) | 6,300 BTU (1,600 kcal) |
IBM 1419
The IBM 1419 was engineered to handle up to 1,600 documents per minute using the E-13B font, distributing them into thirteen pockets. According to IBM, this sorter could achieve a maximum throughput of approximately 96,000 documents per hour. Initial deliveries began in November of 1962.
| Announced | Withdrawn | Documents per minute | Stacker pockets | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Heat output/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 24, 1961 | October 1, 1985 | 1600 | 13 | 112 in (280 cm) | 41+1⁄2 in (105 cm) | 60+1⁄4 in (153 cm) | 2,675 lb (1,213 kg) | 8,500 BTU (2,100 kcal) |
Documents were introduced from the right side and propelled by a pneumatic arm toward the picker mechanism. The feed hopper could hold between six hundred and twelve hundred documents stacked twelve inches high, sorting them into thirteen pockets each capable of holding a stack up to four and a half inches tall. Operators had access to a foot pedal that allowed pausing document feeding during pocket emptying or troubleshooting.
In the year 1970, two IBM 1419 units were utilized by the Belgian GIRO Administration for reading documents encoded with CMC-7 characters.
IBM 2956
The IBM 2956 Model 5 (2956-5) is a specialized multi-pocket reader sorter produced under RPQ W19976. Visually, it resembles two IBM 1419 units joined end-to-end; however, only the right segment features a running board for trays, while the left feed hopper is secured behind doors. Although physically equipped with 26 pockets, secondhand vendors have noted it as having 25.
The earliest mention of this model dates back to January 1968, and RPQ W19976 was officially discontinued on March 9, 1981.
| Announced | Withdrawn | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Heat output/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 9, 1981 | 222+1⁄2 in (565 cm) | 41+1⁄2 in (105 cm) | 60+1⁄4 in (153 cm) | 5,350 lb (2,430 kg) | 21,500 BTU (5,400 kcal) |
The unit is delivered in four separate frames:
| Frame | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 in (180 cm) | 1,645 lb (746 kg) |
| 2 | 43 in (110 cm) | 1,030 lb (470 kg) |
| 3 | 71+1⁄2 in (182 cm) | 1,645 lb (746 kg) |
| 4 | 40 in (100 cm) | 1,030 lb (470 kg) |
It is important to note that the IBM 2956 Model 2 and Model 3 optical mark/hole readers are separate products that share the same machine type designation, which may lead to confusion.
IBM 3890
Introduced by IBM in June 1973, the 3890 High Speed Document Processor began shipping in late 1974. Designed and developed at IBM Charlotte and manufactured at IBM Endicott, this equipment caters primarily to financial institutions by sorting and tallying cheques, utility bills, and gift certificates on a daily basis. It reads documents encoded with magnetic ink characters (MICR) and/or optical characters (OCR), capable of processing up to 2400 six-inch cheques per minute.
Significant enhancements compared to earlier models (1419 and 2956-5) include:
- Doubling document processing speed to 100,000 items per hour per unit
- Expanding sorting capacity to up to 36 pockets (compared to previous limits of 13 or 26)
- Lowering reject rates to as little as 1.3%
- Incorporating an item numbering function that prints sequential numbers on each document
- Integrating a jogger that almost entirely prevents double feeds or overlapping documents
Operating under the Check Processing Control System (CPCS) application on a mainframe, the system captures cheque details such as bank number, branch number, account number, amount, and internal transaction codes. Additionally, the 3890 supports offline functionality through an SCI (Stacker Control Instruction) program.
The machine is composed of several modules:
- Control Unit:* Positioned at the far left end, it oversees sort control programming, character recognition tasks, and host system connectivity via an IBM PC server in the 3890/XP model. Earlier versions utilized an IBM System/360 Model 25 processor equipped with magnetic core memory.
- Left Feed Module:* Responsible for drawing cheques into the transport mechanism, magnetizing and reading the MICR line, and transmitting data back to the control unit. This module can also introduce tracking documents into the processing stream. Models A through F featured the item numbering feature (INF), which printed a unique eight-digit sequence on each cheque's reverse side.
Key components visible from the front include:
- The input hopper located in the right feed module with stabilizing arms keeping cheques upright on wooden jogger plates.
- The input throat where cheques enter the transport path.
- A hopper dedicated to separator documents fed into the stream under software control.
- A write head that magnetizes the MICR line.
- A read head that scans the MICR line.
- The Item Numbering Feature (INF) which prints sequence numbers; this was superseded by PINE in XP models.
- Right Feed Module:* Functions as an input holding area capable of accommodating up to 4800 cheques. These are jogged for proper alignment before being fed into the left feed module. This module also contains the Programmable Endorsing and Item Numbering system introduced with model XP1—a high-speed inkjet printer that applies tracking numbers and endorsement stamps indicating the institution handling each item.
Additional optional modules address American Banking Association compliance:
- *Microfilm Module:* Employs high-speed strobe lighting and cameras to archive front and back images along with item numbers onto film for long-term preservation—a requirement until October 2003.
- *Image Capture Processor (ICP):* Utilizes high-speed digital scanners connected to multiple PCs for capturing cheque images, consolidating data for host systems. Digital images are stored on hard drives and backed up on magnetic tapes. Since October 2003, these digital images have legally replaced physical cheques for exchange purposes.
- Stacker Modules:* Each stacker includes six pockets; up to six stackers can be combined for a total of 36 pockets. The sort control program directs documents based on criteria such as institution or account number. Each pocket holds between 800 and 1,000 documents; operators can remove all but the final few hundred without interrupting processing. Warning indicators alert when pockets near capacity; notably, the first pocket in stacker one serves as a reject pocket for documents that fail processing checks.
Programming
The 3890 supports two programming approaches. The initial method, known as SCI (Stacker Control Instructions), operates directly on the S/360 for models A through F and is emulated by the PC in the 3890/XP variant. The 3890/XP introduced a Native programming option, allowing programs developed on the PC to make sorting decisions via the SPXSERV API.
3890 Models
There were seven distinct 3890 models designated A through F, plus XP1. For models A to F, the model number corresponded to the quantity of stacker modules included (for example, A02 features two stackers with a total of 12 pockets; B04 has four stackers totaling 24 pockets).
Models E and F, unveiled at the 1982 American Banking Association conference, were designed for medium-sized financial institutions with lower throughput and speed—operating at approximately 70% of the speed of models A and B—with deliveries beginning in early 1983.
In the case of the XP1 model, stacker quantities were assigned through feature codes, commonly shipping with two stacker modules.
| Model | Sorter type | Speed (6" documents) | Control Unit | User Memory | Microfilming module | Announced | Withdrawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 to A06 | MICR | 2400 documents/min | IBM System 360/25 | 13,312 bytes | Optional | 1973/5/22 | 1988/11/15 |
| B01 to B06 | MICR | 2400 documents/min | IBM System 360/25 | 29,969 bytes | Optional | 1975/1/27 | 1988/11/15 |
| C01 to C06 | OCR | IBM System 360/25 | |||||
| D01 to D06 | OCR | IBM System 360/25 | |||||
| E02 to E06 | MICR | 1680 documents/min | IBM System 360/25 | 13,312 bytes | Standard | 1982/6/11 (E03-E06 & F03-F06), 1984/7/17 (E02 & F02) | 1988/11/15 |
| F02 to F06 | MICR | 1680 documents/min | IBM System 360/25 | 29,969 bytes | Standard | 1982/6/11 | 1988/11/15 |
| XP1 | MICR or OCR | 2400 documents/min | IBM PS/2 Model 80 | 3 million bytes | Optional | 1988/11/15 | 2005/9/27 |
Each sorter’s MICR configuration (either E-13B or CMC-7) was determined at the factory and identified by a feature code.
IBM 3897: Image capture system
The IBM 3897 Image Capture System was designed to scan cheque images using a dedicated module. It provided options for capturing images either on the front side only (Basic Image System) or both front and back sides (Full Image System).
Distinct from the 3890, the IBM 3898 Image Processor handled image processing for data obtained by the 3897. It was capable of recognizing both printed and handwritten amounts, thereby easing clerical efforts.
Both the IBM 3897 and IBM 3898 were officially announced on March 20, 1990.
Withdrawal
The IBM 3890 product line was available from its initial release in 1973 until its final discontinuation in 2005. The enactment of the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21) on October 28, 2004, significantly reduced demand for large-scale reader/sorter machines like the 3890 by removing requirements for physical check transportation and centralized sorting.
Important withdrawal dates include:
- May 28, 1996: IBM ended shipments of the 3890/XP1 with CMC-7 recognition capability
- November 29, 1996: Shipments of both the IBM 3897 and IBM 3898 ceased
- October 30, 1998: IBM stopped shipping the OCR-enabled version of the 3890/XP1; only E-13B MICR versions remained available thereafter
- September 27, 2005: Final discontinuation of all IBM 3890/XP1 units
IBM 3891
The IBM 3891 was a high-speed document processor designed to sort as many as 1,700 documents per minute into up to 36 separate pockets. Introduced on November 21, 1989, it was available exclusively as the 3891 XP1 model. IBM discontinued this product on November 7, 1995.
IBM 3892
The IBM 3892 document processor could handle sorting tasks at a rate of up to 1,000 documents per minute across 36 pockets. Released on November 3, 1987, this model came in two variants: 001 and XP1. The product was phased out on November 7, 1995.
Hybrid document processors
IBM engineered hybrid devices that integrated multiple functions such as proofing, inscribing, data capture, and sorting within a single system.
IBM 3694
Developed by IBM System Products Division in Charlotte, North Carolina, the IBM 3694 document processor was announced on July 28, 1980, with deliveries commencing in the third quarter of 1981. Aimed primarily at bank branches, financial service bureaus, smaller banking institutions, and other financial organizations, this unit processed up to 400 documents per minute. IBM marketed the 3694 as a comprehensive solution to minimize manual handling by combining capabilities such as proofing, inscribing, data capture, endorsing, numbering, microfilming, sorting, and report generation.
Connectivity features included modem support and the ability to link up to eighteen processors via an IBM 3602 financial communication controller. One processor could function as a control unit managing up to four attached units. In May 1981, IBM introduced optional microfilm and "Paid" stamp functionalities.
Pricing for the system ranged between $46,000 and $67,500 per unit. Leasing options with two-year terms were available from $1,020 to $1,505 monthly; rental rates varied from $1,200 to $1,770 per month.
The eight available models were:
| Model | Number of Stacker Modules | Number of Pockets |
|---|---|---|
| A01/A02 | 1 | 6 |
| B01/B02 | 2 | 12 |
| C01/C02 | 3 | 18 |
| D01/D02 | 4 | 24 |
Key users included Citizens National Bank (Somerset, KY), Federal Employees Credit Union (FECU), First National Bank of Warsaw (IN), and The National Bank of Coxsackie (NY), many of which integrated the 3694 with systems such as the IBM 4341 and System/34.
Endorsement printing challenge
On September 1, 1988, IBM deployed a federally mandated software update for the IBM 3694 that ensured endorsements were printed within a designated zone on the reverse side of documents. This modification eliminated printing tracking numbers on checks but led to substantially longer audit times. IBM committed to addressing these concerns by early 1989.
The IBM 3694 was officially withdrawn from the market on April 23, 1990.
IBM 3895
Introduced on April 5, 1977, the IBM 3895 was a document reader and inscriber developed in Charlotte and manufactured at IBM Endicott. It utilized optical character recognition to read handwritten dollar and cent amounts on documents and then inscribed these values directly onto them while sorting at speeds reaching up to 525 documents per minute into either six or twelve pockets. Marketed as a system capable of processing over 100,000 documents daily with reduced reliance on manual proof operators, it nonetheless faced challenges; Mellon Bank reported a rejection rate of approximately 50% in 1981 due to persistent manual intervention needs. The product was discontinued on July 25, 1980.
Mechanical jogger
While IBM did not manufacture mechanical joggers, these devices were crucial for all document sorters to properly align papers through vibration. In photographs of the IBM 3890, the jogger can be seen positioned behind the operator.
Cheque vs Check vs Document
IBM referred to the 3890 as a Document Processor, though it is frequently identified as a cheque sorter or check sorter. In the UK and Australia, a bank-issued, payable-on-demand instrument is called a "cheque," whereas in the United States, it is known as a "check." Because the 3890 was capable of sorting documents using both OCR and MICR lines (E-13B or CMC-7), IBM officially categorized it as a Document Processor.