Great BLOG for info on OCR Software:

OCR Software

http://feeds2.feedburner.com/EcmIndustryWatch

So, there are a number of options when you are trying to scan into sharepoint. What application do you choose?  What features are important?  Many of the software vendors label their software as capture, but in my opinion fall short of true capture functionality.

First, I think it is so important to differentiate between scanning applications and capture applications:

SharePoint Basic Scanning Software

Let’s create a definition and define a feature set for scanning applications.  A scanning applition is just a means to take paper, and quickly and easily convert it from paper to digital form.  They are well suited to environments with very basic needs, and what I call “onsie-twosie” scanning, or low volume environments.  Their feature sets provide very basic functionality, and may allow the use of basic separation, and very basic integrations with SharePoint.  The majority of scanning hardware vendors bundle these applications with their hardware, although there are vendors that have taken it to the next level, and provide enhanced scanning capabilities beyond the typical bundled software.

Examples of Basic SharePoint Scanning or Basic Imaging Software:

VizitSP (Web part scanning with a great viewer and search)

Fujitsu ScanAll (Vendor specific with basic scanning)

Dark Blue Duck Scan Enabler (Web part based scanning)

Kodak Capture (Vendor specific scanning app)

Knowledgelake Capture (Basic scanning for SharePoint with some capture features.  )

SharePoint Capture Software

Capture software can be utilized for basic scanning needs, but takes you to a whole new level from a “capture” perspective.  These applications typically have a number of ways to “slice and dice” documents, and really focus on efficiency, and minimizing the time required to scan, index and capture data.  Capture software provides numerous ways to automatically populate columns, including barcode reading, database lookups, OCR, and data extraction.  True capture applications provide integration with scanners, folders with images, SharePoint Web Dav folders, etc.  Any organization that is serious about processing paper documents, and want to do it in the most efficient, standardized manner, should look seriously at advanced capture applications:

PSIGEN PSI:Capture (Best overall SharePoint integration)

Kofax Ascent (Basic SharePoint integration, complex licensing, expensive)

It is interesting, as the true capture companies in the market have been very slow to adapt to and embrace SharePoint, probably because of their relationships/partnerships with other document management companies.

In summary, if you are planning on capturing more than a few documents a day and want to make sure the scanning process takes minimal time and can integrate into your business processes, go with Capture.

If you use RightFax or Sagem, or any other Fax Server Solution, PSIGEN has just released version 3.6 of PSI:Capture.  The new release provides enhanced auto-import functionality, and allows auto-archiving and OCR of fax images into Microsoft SharePoint, or any one of their 35 back end systems through document and data migration.  Press release below:

Fax Archiving Solution for SharePoint – TIFF, PDF, OCR

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, October 19, 2009 – PSIGEN Software, Inc., the leader in advanced capture and scanning solutions for Microsoft SharePoint, and Atalasoft, Inc., the makers of Vizit SP – the SharePoint Document Viewer today announced the release of a SharePoint Document Management bundle at the Microsoft SharePoint Conference in Las Vegas.

The partners have bundled their technologies to offer an end-to-end Document Management/Document Imaging solution for all organization sizes and types adapting easily to both Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) environments. The combination of advanced capture and viewing technology will provide an affordable, feature rich option to a market with few alternatives.

Microsoft SharePoint Server is a powerful collaboration platform currently experiencing mass adoption across the enterprise, primarily for sharing office documents, replacing network file shares, document management, and as an intranet portal. Atalasoft’s and PSIGEN’s combined solution enables these organizations to realize additional benefits of SharePoint by providing cost effective document image capture, viewing, search and more advanced document management capabilities that leverages existing SharePoint investments.

“In today’s world, being able to put together the best of breed products like Atalasoft’s Vizit SP and PSI:Capture to create a seamless solution, will provide the on ramp to SharePoint that users and IT departments have been demanding”, said Bruce Hensley, President of PSIGEN.

“This combination of advanced capture and document viewing & management with Microsoft SharePoint is the ideal ECM solution enabling businesses to easily and cost effectively automate their paper-based processes,” said William Bither, President & CEO of Atalasoft.

The package is available through both PSIGEN’s and Atalasoft’s vast and growing Reseller Network.  The partners will be presenting their bundled technology offering at Microsoft’s SharePoint Conference is Las Vegas, October 18-22.

About PSIGEN

PSIGEN Software is the innovative leader in advanced capture and document management solutions. For more than 14 years, PSIGEN has provided software to improve all the processes around the conversion of paper to digital documents. The solutions focus on cost reduction, flexibility, standardization, and improved efficiency.   PSIGEN delivers these solutions through a network of resellers and distributors in the US and abroad. For more information, visit www.psigen.com.

“PSIGEN” is a registered trademark in the US, the EU and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective owners.

CONTACT: PSIGEN Sales and Marketing: Stephen Boals, Vice President of Sales, 949-916-7700 x230.

About Atalasoft

Atalasoft builds software that improves how users interact with documents over the web through innovative image viewing, annotating, and processing technology. Products include DotImage, the leading imaging toolkit for .NET developers, and Vizit SP, the Document Image Viewer for SharePoint. Atalasoft is listed as one of Inc. Magazine’s 100 fastest-growing software companies and is a member of many industry organizations including AIIM, ARMA, and is a member of the TWAIN working group.

Founded almost a decade ago, Atalasoft’s products power over 1000 document management, ECM, and EMR applications built by ISVs, System Integrators, and Enterprises deployed to millions of end-users worldwide. Industries that Atalasoft serves include Healthcare, Financial Services, Legal, Government, Education, and Manufacturing.  For more information, visit www.vizitsp.com or www.atalasoft.com.

CONTACT: Atalasoft Sales and Marketing: John Casanova, Director of Business Development, 866-568-0129 x711 or at john.casanova@atalasoft.com.

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IRVINE, Calif., September  14, 2009 – PSIGEN Software, Inc., the leader in advanced capture and scanning solutions for Microsoft SharePoint, today announced the formation of a partnership with Neudesic, a Microsoft National Systems Integrator and Gold Certified Partner.

The partnership was created to offer customized Document Management/Document Imaging solutions for all organization sizes and types, providing a structured offering with SharePoint as the back end repository.  The combination of PSIGEN’s advanced capture technology and Neudesic’s Microsoft product expertise will be unmatched in the industry.

” We are extremely excited about this partnership, as we believe what the SharePoint market has been missing is highly functional, packaged solutions  that don’t create a never ending construction zone.” said Bruce Hensley, President of PSIGEN Software, “Together we provide expertise in diverse areas, which when put together, we believe will significantly increase the ROI on SharePoint Imaging Projects””

“PSIGEN provides a fantastic document imaging and management solution for SharePoint that aligns perfectly with our goal of delivering the most effective solutions in the shortest possible time,” said Parsa Rohani, CEO of Neudesic. “We’re excited to partner with PSIGEN and look forward to bringing our clients unmatched capability and value across a broad spectrum of SharePoint solutions.”

About PSIGEN

PSIGEN Software is the innovative leader in advanced capture and document management solutions. For more than 14 years, PSIGEN has provided software to improve all the processes around the conversion of paper to digital documents. The solutions focus on cost reduction, flexibility, standardization, and improved efficiency.   PSIGEN delivers these solutions through a network of resellers and distributors in the US and abroad. For more information, visit www.psigen.com.

“PSIGEN” is a registered trademark in the US, the EU and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective owners.

CONTACT: PSIGEN Sales and Marketing: Stephen Boals, Vice President of Sales, 949-916-7700 x230.

About Neudesic

Neudesic is a Microsoft National Systems Integrator and Gold Certified Partner with a proven track record of providing reliable, effective solutions based on Microsoft’s technology platform.  Neudesic’s technical and industry expertise empowers enterprises to enhance their technological capacity and respond to business opportunities with a greater level of efficiency.  Neudesic was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.  Neudesic offers its products and services nationwide with offices located throughout the United States, and a global presence based out of Hyderabad, India.  For more information about Neudesic’s products and services, call (800) 805-1805 or visit our website at www.neudesic.com.

CONTACT: Neudesic Marketing Director, Melissa Ward, 949-754-4524.

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One of the required attributes for any “scan to SharePoint” solution for document imaging, is the ability to structure scan data dynamically, and provide standardization to the scanning process. Implementing a scanning/imaging solution without the ability to standardize allows users to recreate their paper mess digitally. Interesting new article by CMSWire points out that the major issues with SharePoint are all focused around standardization.  Problems listed are:
-Insufficient workflow processes
-Disorganized content
-Lack of an over-arching site creation strategy

An example of a great tool for SharePoint Capture is PSI:Capture for SharePoint.   It provides the ability to standardize the structure of SharePoint through folder and file naming convention control, and makes it simple to provide a planned structure to which all users must comply.

EMC is the next up to bat in a long line of both hardware and software vendors bowing to the SharePoint Gods. Great article from CMS Wire:

SharePoint Document Management and EMC

As I talk to IT folks and SharePoint consultants, I am finding some common themes in what they require in a SharePoint Scanning Solution. Below is a list, and any additional feedback would be greatly appreciated:

• Seamless integration with MFPs and Copiers – Due to its collaborative nature, SharePoint absolutely requires the ability for any user to walk up to a copier and hit the button, and before they get back to their desk, have the document in SharePoint.
• Auto-import – To integrate with MFPs, you need to have the ability to monitor hot folders and auto-process scanned images.
• Barcode and Routing Sheet Support – Barcode cover sheets are a must, and allow automated processing.
• Granular Migration Control – When you are done capturing, the product needs to have the ability to standardize how you send documents to SharePoint.  Most of the apps out dont provide this capability, and allow users to take their paper mess and recreate it digitally in Sharepoint.  The product should allow custom file naming and folder creation based on collected index information, and also provide dynamic library and content type designation.

Obviously this list is not all  inclusive, but these are an absolute must!!