Avision AN230W — Features, specifications, performance and business use

The Avision AN230W is a compact, network-capable duplex ADF scanner aimed squarely at small offices, branch sites and frontline departments that need reliable, mixed-batch capture without the footprint or price tag of a production device. It blends an 80-sheet automatic document feeder, up to 30–40 pages-per-minute duplex throughput (depending on the published region/spec), legal-length support, and wired/wireless network scanning into a small, easy-to-deploy package — making it a sensible choice where speed, flexibility and simple network integration matter.

Below is a procurement-style, in-depth look at the AN230W: what it does, how it’s specified, how it performs in the real world, where it fits in business workflows and practical tips for deployment.

Design and hardware overview

Physically the AN230W is compact and lightweight for a duplex ADF scanner. It ships with a fold-out ADF tray (nominal capacity about 80 sheets, 80 g/m²) and a small output tray so it can live on a desk or a shared scan station. Its imaging system uses CIS (contact image sensor) technology with LED illumination and provides optical resolution up to 600 × 600 dpi, suitable for OCR, forms capture and general archival needs. The unit’s modest footprint and low weight make installation and relocation trivial compared with larger departmental scanners.

The AN230W is offered as a network scanner: it includes Ethernet and wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) connectivity for direct scanning to email, FTP and SMB/CIFS network folders, plus mobile-app support for scan-to-phone/tablet workflows. That network focus removes the need for a permanently attached PC for basic scan destinations, which is handy for receptionist desks and distributed teams. 

Key features — what stands out

• Duplex ADF with fast throughput: Avision rates the AN230W at roughly 30 ppm / 60 ipm (some regional pages list up to 40 ppm / 80 ipm) for duplex scanning at common office resolutions — fast enough for typical departmental batch jobs. 

• Legal-length and mixed-size support: The feed path and ADF accommodate longer forms (up to roughly 242 × 356 mm / 9.5 × 14 in. on many listings) and mixed batches (receipts, business cards, invoices), which reduces pre-sorting time. 

• Robust feeding with reverse roller tech: Avision’s feeding design (reverse roller / advanced paper feed) improves reliability across different paper weights and finishes — helpful when you scan plastic ID cards, thin receipts or thicker stock in the same batch. 

• Network-first workflows: Built-in support for scan-to-email, scan-to-SMB/FTP, and mobile app scanning lets the device act as a standalone network scan center without a PC tether. IT staff can also export/import device settings to replicate configurations across multiple units. 

• Industry-standard drivers and output: TWAIN/ISIS compatibility, 48-bit color input, 24-bit color output and 16-bit greyscale input provide flexibility for integration with capture software and accurate, OCR-friendly files. 

Technical specifications (practical summary)

Below are the headline specs you’ll need when evaluating the AN230W in procurement or IT planning:

• Model: Avision AN230W (network/Wi-Fi variant). 

• Scan speed: Typically 30 ppm / 60 ipm duplex in color/greyscale/BW (some regional listings claim up to 40 ppm / 80 ipm). Test speed will vary by resolution and network mode. 

• ADF capacity: 80 sheets (A4 @ 80 g/m²). 

• Optical resolution: 600 × 600 dpi (hardware). 

• Color depth: 48-bit input / 24-bit output; grayscale 16-bit input / 8-bit output. 

• Maximum document size: Support for longer documents (approx. 242 × 356 mm / 9.5 × 14 in. in many regions).

• Daily duty cycle: Around 6,000 pages/day in common reseller specs (recommendation for heavy usage scenarios). 

• Interfaces: USB 2.0, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, Wireless LAN (802.11 b/g/n) depending on SKU. 

• Drivers / formats: TWAIN, WIA, ISIS; output to PDF/TIFF/JPEG and searchable PDF via bundled OCR tools.

• Physical: Compact footprint; approximate weight ~4.1 kg and operation power < 28 W in typical lists.

(If you require exact numbers for your country — e.g., whether the spec sheet says 30 ppm or 40 ppm — verify the regional datasheet or serial number; Avision has published slightly different claims across markets.) 

Real-world performance and image quality

In practical office use the AN230W behaves like a fast, reliable departmental ADF scanner:

• Throughput & reliability: For standard office paper at 200–300 dpi, the device commonly achieves the published 30 ppm / 60 ipm duplex rates. The combination of reverse-roller feed design and ultrasonic double-feed detection reduces misfeeds and keeps throughput steady across mixed batches. Expect modest pauses when scanning at maximal optics (600 dpi) or when sending large color files over Wi-Fi. 

• Image quality: The 600 dpi optical resolution and Avision’s image processing (auto deskew, autocrop, blank-page removal, color/greyscale optimization) produce crisp OCRable text, clean business graphics and acceptable color for internal documents and client handouts. For color-critical marketing proofs or high-end photo scanning, a flatbed or production scanner remains preferable. 

• Mixed media: The scanner handles plastic cards, business cards and mixed thicknesses well in small batches. Thin thermal receipts or heavily stapled stacks still benefit from minimal pre-prep, but the AN230W tolerates a broader range of media than many consumer-grade units.

Software, workflow integration and administration

Avision supplies a network-oriented feature set that simplifies deployment in distributed or BYOD environments. Key workflow and admin touches include:

• Network scan destinations: Direct scanning to email, network folders (CIFS/SMB), FTP servers and SMB share destinations without a host PC. Mobile scanning via Avision’s app supports quick capture to phones/tablets. 

• One-touch profiles & address book: The AN230W allows admins to configure and export/import address books and scanning profiles — helpful when you deploy several units and want standardized scanning profiles across sites. 

• Driver support & capture software: TWAIN/ISIS/WIA drivers and bundled scanning utilities (including OCR) integrate the scanner with document management systems, RPA workflows, and capture suites. That compatibility is important for finance and records teams that rely on automated indexing. 

Typical business use cases

The AN230W fits several common office and departmental roles:

• Reception & branch offices: Standalone network scanning, wireless connectivity and simple one-touch buttons make it a natural fit for front desks that capture IDs, signed forms and visitor paperwork. 

• Accounts payable / AP automation: Mixed-batch capture of invoices, remittance slips and receipts (including cards) — combined with OCR output to searchable PDFs — speeds AP workflows and reduces manual data entry.

• Human Resources / records teams: Legal-length forms, ID scanning and searchable PDFs help with onboarding and records retention projects where mixed media capture and reliability matter. 

• Mobile workers & satellite teams: The small footprint, Wi-Fi support and mobile app allow traveling staff or small satellite branches to scan directly to cloud or email without complex infrastructure.

Limitations and things to watch

No product is perfect for every workflow. Consider these practical caveats:

• Clarify the published speed for your SKU. Avision’s regional pages sometimes list 30 ppm while some reseller pages advertise 40 ppm. For procurement accuracy, confirm the exact regional datasheet and test with your typical document mix. 

• Network throughput vs. USB: Wi-Fi scanning to heavy color/PDF jobs will be slower than USB or wired Ethernet; for large daily color capture workflows prefer wired network connection. 

• Not a production scanner: While the daily duty cycle (~6,000 pages/day in some specs) suits many departments, high-volume production shops should evaluate production-class devices with larger feeders and advanced image controls. 

Deployment tips and maintenance

• Test with your real documents during procurement trials — mixed batches (cards + receipts + legal forms) reveal feed issues earlier than single-type tests.

• Use Ethernet for steady large jobs where possible — Wi-Fi is great for convenience but wired is more predictable for volume. 

• Schedule routine maintenance (roller and separation pad replacements) per the manual to sustain feed reliability — replacement parts and instructions are documented in Avision’s user manual. 

Final thoughts

The Avision AN230W occupies a useful sweet spot: a compact, network-capable duplex ADF scanner that handles mixed documents, cards and legal-length pages without demanding a large footprint or complex setup. For reception desks, AP hubs, HR teams and small branch offices that need reliable, OCR-friendly capture and direct network destinations, the AN230W is a practical, cost-effective pick — provided you confirm the exact regional spec (throughput and daily duty cycle) and choose wired networking for sustained high-volume color jobs. If you’d like, I can convert this into a one-page procurement spec sheet with the exact numbers for your country/SKU, or produce a side-by-side comparison against two similar A4 network scanners (Brother, Fujitsu) including cost-per-scan estimates.