Question I Need Business Card Scanning Software - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009

Hi Girls & Guys,

Having really got into networking, I have a whole pile of business cards, that I need to input into Outlook. I know that you can buy hardware card scanners to do this job. But I already have a flatbed scanner and so I don't want to go out and buy more hardware if I don't need to.

I was just wondering if anyone knew of any business card scanning software that will run with a standard flatbed scanner. I'd especially be interested in any Open Source or FreeWare software in this vein. I've already looked on download.com but couldn't find any software that was suitable. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jason

#2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

I don't know of any software but one of the things that you have to remember if you decide to go this route is that those are not always accurate. They may scan everything in but there may be errors as well and then you have to go back through and fix the errors so in reality it is taking you longer than it would to just type them back in.

Just thought I would throw this out there for you to consider.

Tracy

#3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009

I have to agree with Tracy - you'd have to use an OCR software to get at the scanned text, a dicey procedure at best. May as well type the info in - or outsource the task!

#4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009

Originally Posted by tcollins

I don't know of any software but one of the things that you have to remember if you decide to go this route is that those are not always accurate. They may scan everything in but there may be errors as well and then you have to go back through and fix the errors so in reality it is taking you longer than it would to just type them back in.

Just thought I would throw this out there for you to consider.

Tracy

I agree, I have seen software that says it will turn business cards into a .txt document and that in turn can be uploaded to Outlook or Gmail, etc.. but how much time would it take to make sure it is correct? I would suggest scanning them all and FTP that to a VA or put them all in a FedEx box and send them out to have it done.

#5 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009

I'm coming into this thread a little late but may be able to help.

I recently purchased a small card scanner from PC World (In the UK) but it is available online here: http://worldcard.penpowerinc.com/worldcard-duet.html.

It 'takes a picture' of the card and then uses OCR to put the info into an editable file. The scanned dar info can then be saved into a category within the WorldCard folder but can also be exported to a number of other software programs inclusing Outlook Act etc.

It does need to be checked and slight amendments made but it has cut down the length of time it takes to input the info from those business cards.

Dawn

#6 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009

I use Cardscan it works great for me. Yes, sometimes it does not pick everything up but for the most part I may have to edit 1 or 2 cards out of 30 cards that I scan.

Good Luck~

#7 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009

I use Neatco who makes a scanner and software for scanning documents, receipts and business cards which is also compatible with Quickbooks. I love it.

Check out the demos available on the company website: www.neatco.com

Judy

#8 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009

Hi Girls & Guys!

Thanks for all the advice & info.

I ended up typing my cards in. However, I want to offer this as a VA service to my clients. Therefore, if I have the facility to scan cards in, then it'll save me a whole bunch of time.

Thanks to Dawn for your tip on getting a card scanner from PC World. I have one of them just up the road from me, so I'll pop in and see what they have available.

Kindest Regards,

Jason

#9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009

I would just type them in. .

#10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009

After many years in business, I had a huge stack of cards.
I treated myself to a card scanner and SCAN2 Contacts.
http://www.ambir.com/

Took me two days to get them all into outlook, but I finally have a nice contact list.
I then set up my Ipod to include my outlook contacts and I then have the whole list in my car or purse!