Many people consider documenting the scanning and imaging technologies static – after all, the outcome that needs to be accomplished hasn’t changed, has it?
This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. Scanning and imaging are ever-evolving. As new tech becomes available, the possibilities for scanning and digitization expand. Not only are image qualities improved, but new attribute implementation also becomes available to simplify and enhance the digitization process.
We’ve already discussed some of the document management and scanning trends that will be prominent. But how will imaging evolve beyond the current year? Could we expect some pronounced changes to take effect and bring scanning results to a whole new level?
Apps and Personal Use Tools Making Scanning More Approachable
PC Mag wrote about the numerous scanning and imaging apps intended for personal use.
Scanning and OCR apps have lots of the “capabilities” of professional use scanners. The only difference is that they’re intended for personal use and they don’t enable the high-volume scanning that most companies are in need of.
Through such apps, every single employee in an enterprise can partake in the digitization process. It’s very easy to point a phone toward a piece of paper and get it scanned and digitized.
While such apps aren’t the best solution for businesses (even small organizations still tend to have a high volume of paper-based documentation coming in), they’re indicative of a new trend that puts the agency in the hands of the individual user.
Potentially, smartphone apps can help reduce the overall paper clutter. The only prerequisite is for an organization to already have a document management solution in place for the purpose of standardization and optimal workflow introduction.
Intelligent Document Capture
Intelligent capture is going to be one of the most pronounced innovations in the world of document scanning and imaging.
Technologies today are created to be highly adaptive and responsive. Such a change is of tremendous importance in the realms of imaging and digitization.
Intelligent capture systems have already emerged as a replacement for old-school scanning. These technologies have the capability to “extract” important data from a document being scanned. As a result, digitization becomes easier and more intuitive.
When such technology is being used, the scanning software can be programmed to recognize data elements of importance within the respective industry. Not only will a document be scanned, but compliance and metadata creation will also be improved.
Intelligent document capture also reduces the need for human involvement in the document scanning and imaging process. Human resources could thus be shifted towards more critical aspects of the operation.
Document Scanning and Imaging with Direct Cloud Integration
How cool would it be for a document scanner to send the obtained digital copy directly to the cloud?
This isn’t a theoretical question as document scanners with such capabilities already exist.
Cloud-based document storage is already becoming the norm for many companies. The Covid-19-related lockdowns and home office changes that dominated fueled the adoption of cloud-based solutions even further.
It’s much easier for scanned documents to be sent directly to the cloud instead of being stored locally and uploaded later on. As the years go by, cloud integration and mutually-connected solutions will get to eliminate numerous steps from the digitization process.
Artificial Intelligence Taking Over
Intelligent data recognition isn’t the only big change that will transform scanning in the years to come.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning enable a range of other capabilities that will result in smarter and better digitization experiences.
AI-based scanners and software solutions use predictive modeling that allows them to become smarter and more tailored after some time of use within an organization.
Here’s a simple example – solutions already exist on the market that can make digitized documents readily available to people with visual impairments. The document scanner is so “skilled” at reading the data that new attributes and formats can be created from the original.
Artificial intelligence solutions also make documents easier to integrate and organize, they can turn static paper-based documents into editable files and they can enable/track digital signatures on contracts and other similar files.
Since AI solutions learn and evolve, they will probably offer an even bigger range of capabilities in a few years. Embracing such tech right now is absolutely essential, if you’re interested in adopting pioneering solutions and building an innovative brand.
The Scanning Landscape Is Changing Rapidly
Document scanning and imaging will probably be completely overhauled in a decade or maybe even sooner.
Chances are that the traditional, hardware-based scanner will become completely obsolete. Chances are that the process will become entirely automated, eliminating the need for any kind of human involvement. Such predictions aren’t far-fetched since today’s technologies already can accomplish some of these goals.
With the advancement of digital technologies, innovative scanning, and imaging will also become more cost-efficient. As a result, even micro-organizations will get to afford such services.