Scanners Hub
In this modern world of fast paced progress and high tech business, the most important resource is information. Today, information is power and this power can be harnessed in many ways. Technology allows us to harness this information quickly and conveniently, and in the field of business, getting information as quickly and as conveniently as possible is a big advantage.
One such useful piece of technology that’s been recently developed are business card scanners. What are business card scanners, how does they work and how can they help in the business and home setting? Here’s a brief explanation.
What are Business Card Scanners?
So what is a business card scanner? The name pretty much sums up the function of this ingenious gadget. Business card scanners are electronic devices that lets you scan data found on a business card. This greatly reduces the time needed to file or store the information to a convenient database.
Types of Business Card Scanners
There are essentially two types of business card scanners. The first type of scanner acts as a normal scanner and practically just scans the entire card as an image. You can then store this for later use or future reference. The card has been saved as a picture for storage. This version is convenient for storage purposes but it still requires you input the information on the card manually into your phone or address book. If you have a smartphone you can always opt to store the images in your photo gallery but this would require more memory due to the fact that the files stored are image files.
The other type of business card scanner is the more common type of scanner. This type of scanner doesn’t scan the whole image but instead scans for the data on the card itself. Information such as the company name, the person’s name address, job position, phone number, email and fax number will be stored into an address book format, removing the need to input the details manually onto your phone or address book. Upon scanning, the program catches the important information and then downloads it into a database file which you can then download to your phone or address book of preference.
There are different types of files for storing information into address or phone books so there may be a need to arrange the information around. This depends on the file type and individual preference. Even with minor adjustments, though, the scanner is a big time saver that makes manual entry completely obsolete.
In terms of compatibility, many business card scanners and their programs work with both Mac and Windows operating systems and will work with practically any email program. A lot of scanners will also make file formats that are compatible with mainstream sales databases and spreadsheet programs, making it infinitely easier to input data into a database or mailing list by cutting down the time needed to manually enter the details.
If you’re the type of person who isn’t good at organizing business cards or files, this is the perfect device for you. There’s no need to file anything and there’s no more need to worry about where you put an important client’s business card.
Buy the CardScan Executive Business Card Scanner
Networking Benefits
Business card scanners are a big assistance to marketing and sales people, whose line of work is collecting contacts and meeting people. This is especially useful in the following scenarios
- Making client calls
- Prospecting for new clients
- Conferences or trade shows
- During a job fair
- During random meetings with people
- General Networking
During conferences, a good salesperson will usually come back with hundreds of business cards. A business card scanner wipes out the work needed to sift through these cards simply by scanning the card right when they’re exchanged. Taking this tedious task out of the equation means more time to prospect and get in touch with these key contacts, allowing for a more productive and efficient workflow.
Other Types of Scanners
Apart from business card scanners or readers, other types of scanners are very helpful in easing the workflow. Portable scanners, for example, are useful in types of jobs where storing documents is a key part of the job description. Portable scanners can add a sense of mobility and take out the limiting factor of normal flatbed scanners. If your job requires you to be on the go while also requiring you to capture sensitive or important documents, this type of scanner is the perfect piece of equipment for you.
Flatbed scanners are larger but are able to scan larger documents as well. This is specifically good for legal documents or larger documents or collateral that need larger space. These scanners are the most commonly used type of scanner and are usually seen in most offices and homes for everyday use.
Photo scanners are higher resolution scanners which are able to capture more of the details and color contrast, creating a more vivid image that normal scanners cannot capture.
If you’re a photographer who wants to scan a specific photo instead of reprinting it or you want to scan a printed ad that you don’t have access to the raw file of, photo scanners are the ideal choice.
These scanners are usually ideal for professionals in the advertising industry but can be used for anything that needs a high resolution scan to be effective.
With all these scanners present today, things like manual entry and even fax machines are becoming obsolete. Business card scanners and other types of scanners not only save time but also potential waste from printing unneeded paper.
