OCR services: outsourcing text conversion

An OCR service converts scanned documents and image files into searchable or editable text, and can extract data such as names, dates and account numbers into a spreadsheet or database. It suits a one-time conversion of a large archive. For documents you receive every day, OCR software does the same job in house, at a fraction of the cost.

What to ask an OCR service

• Output: searchable PDF, Word or Excel, plain text, or extracted data fields.
• Accuracy: how it's measured and checked, and whether uncertain characters are verified by a person.
• Languages and handwriting: not every engine reads every language, or hand printing.
• Security: how your files are transferred, stored and deleted.

Doing OCR yourself

• SimpleIndex runs OCR on whole batches, makes them searchable PDFs, and reads index values with zone OCR. The Professional edition includes ABBYY's FineReader engine.
• ABBYY FineReader PDF converts documents to Word and Excel on a desktop.
• OCR servers convert everything that lands in a watched folder.

Not sure which way to go?

We can assess your project and refer it. Tell us how many pages you have, what they look like and how they need to be indexed, and we'll tell you whether to outsource or scan in house. If outsourcing is the better choice, we'll refer the job to a trusted scanning partner suited to its size, security needs and location. Ask for an assessment or call 865-637-8986.

Our OCR consultants can also set up an in-house OCR process for you.