Business Card Scanning Applications

What are Business Card Scanning Applications?

Business card scanning applications are used by businesses to scan business cards through the use of a smartphone camera. The application then automatically stores the information from the card into your phone. This is done through the use of optical character recognition (OCR) technology. These applications also help the end-user manage and keep track of the cards which then become digital contacts stored in a virtual address book.

The demand for business card scanning applications has increased over the years due to their ability to save individuals and businesses time, especially when it comes to networking. Despite most businesses going digital and connecting through social media in today's world, business cards are still heavily used. An effective app that scans business cards can gather more information in a shorter amount of time than if it were done by hand. They are also typically easy to use.

Aside from improving efficiency for a growing or an established business, these applications also provide an incredible amount of support for sales and/or marketing teams. The business cards a field sales rep might collect are potential new leads for the business to target. Business card scanning apps enable reps to quickly and effectively gather contact info off business cards. Investing in a business card scanning application means you’re interested in saving your business time and growing your potential network in a more organized and efficient manner.

Some products also allow users to input their own business card and share it with others digitally. Many vendors provide support for scanning business cards in multiple languages as well. Importantly, most business card scanning apps are cloud-based, meaning they can be accessed from anywhere with a strong internet connection.

Business Card Scanner Application Features

Many of the common features you’ll find when using business card scanning applications include:

• Digital card scanner

• Contact management

• Digital wallet sync

• Accuracy Verification

• Duplicate prevention

• Multi-device use

• Web-based application

• Desktop application

• Integration with the user’s CRM

• Contact exports

• Card analytics

One other feature to note that most of these applications have is, once scanned, having the contacts automatically stored in your iCloud which would be convenient for iPhone users.

Business Card Scanner Application Comparison

Before deciding to use a business card scanning app, consider the following key points:

• Amount of Networking: The amount of networking you plan to do with your business should be one, if not the main factor, that determines which business card scanner to use. If you find yourself collecting a lot of business cards, choose a card scanner that can scan a high volume of cards quickly and securely. Similarly, if you frequently network on social media sites like LinkedIn, look for an app that can sync contact details with these websites.

• Ease of Use: It’s important to choose a business card scanner that is easy to use and offers the most convenience. This includes being able to open it quickly in a networking situation. This may also be a preference of the format in which information is stored.

Pricing Information

The most basic versions of business card scanner applications are free. This is a great way to test out which application works best for you. In many cases, the free version may be all you need. However, free applications or plans usually place a limit on the number of cards you can scan.

Certain paid plans are customizable according to business needs. Other vendors offer plans that start at $1 a month that go up to about $60 a month for the top features and card scanning ability. Features offered on paid plans that are typically not included on free plans include:

• Conference badge scanning

• Contact export to the user’s CRM

• Custom card fields

• Card scanning analytics