OCR Software

SimpleIndex is designed to allow a single user or unattended workstation to quickly process multiple documents in batches. It has complex zone OCR with pattern matching algorithms to let you file documents automatically based on keywords it finds in the content.

SimpleIndex also has the ability to perform full-page OCR to MS Word, HTML or PDF with hidden text. SimpleIndex does not have extensive document layout reconstruction capabilities, and is not designed to be configured by novice users.

If you are looking for a desktop OCR Software to convert a few scanned documents to MS Word or PDF, please visit the OCR Software page at ScanStore or download our freeware OCR Software, SimpleOCR.

Once configured, SimpleIndex is the easiest scanning solution available.  It can scan documents, OCR them, read key values from the text and automatically file the documents on your network and/or database with a single click.  It is designed for organizations that need to scan many documents on an ongoing basis.

OCR Software Comparison Guide

There are several OCR Software solutions available to convert scanned images to text, Word, HTML or searchable PDF.  The differences between them can often be obscure, leaving many to wonder why some OCR Software cost about $100 while others cost $500.

The main features that differentiate OCR Software are:

• Character recognition accuracy
• Page layout reconstruction accuracy
• Multi-engine voting technology
• Support for languages
• Support for searchable PDF output
• Speed
• User interface

We have tested the latest versions of FineReader, OmniPage, ReadIRIS, TextBridge and SimpleOCR and have determined that ABBYY FineReader 9 is the best overall value for business users, while ReadIRIS is the best OCR Software for under $150.  The key deciding factors were:

• User interface design
• Page layout reconstruction capabilities
• Extensive language support
• Stability of the engine when processing large documents
• Helpful (and free!) technical support staff

Though other testing labs have ranked OmniPage's overall accuracy slightly higher, we find the difference is pretty negligible.  All modern OCR Software have very good accuracy, so we recommend going with the one that has particular special features like IRIS's Arabic and Hebrew and Asian Language versions.

Because of the infinite combinations of document types, OCR engines and settings, it may be possible that one engine may perform better with your particular documents than another.  For this reason, ScanStore provides demo downloads for all its OCR Software with your ScanStore User Account.  Because of this variability and the subjectivity of user interface preferences, we recommend using the demos to see which performs best with your documents.

OCR Software
ABBYY FineReader 9 Professional - FineReader Professional is a highly accurate and easy to use OCR Software that includes host of features including digital camera OCR, intelligent document layouts, image enhancement, barcode recognition and command line integration.  FineReader 9 is our pick for OCR Software because its document layout retention will save you much time in reformatting documents you convert for editing. ABBYY FineReader 9 Corporate - FineReader Corporate Edition offers unique concurrent licensing that makes it possible for many users who need occasional use of OCR to share a small pool of active licenses.  With accuracy comparable to OmniPage, superior technical support services and a user interface that many users find preferable, we think FineReader Corporate is the best choice of OCR Software for business.	IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 - Affordable OCR solution for business and home users.  ReadIRIS Pro provides a extremely accurate OCR recognition rate at a low cost, but still has some of the advanced features that higher priced professional OCR Software includes. IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 - Adds support for files over 50 pages, business card recognition, as well as automatic processing of hot folders. Nuance OmniPage Pro 16 - OmniPage is widely considered the fastest, most accurate and fully featured OCR application.  OmniPage 16 Professional has a unique new feature that lets you convert any type of document to searchable PDF or Word. OmniPage does not have a downloadable demo. Nuance also does not provide free technical support after the first call.  For these reasons we recommend the ABBYY and IRIS products instead.
Apple Macintosh OCR Software
Nuance OmniPage X for MAC - OmniPage OCR Software for Macintosh users.  This version does not use the latest OmniPage engine, but provides good accuracy nonetheless.  Once again, Nuance does not make a demo download available.	IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 for MAC - Affordable OCR Software for Macintosh users using the latest version of the IRIS OCR engine. IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 for MAC - Adds support for files over 50 pages, business card recognition, as well as automatic processing of hot folders.
Server-Based OCR Software
ABBYY Recognition Server - Innovative server-based OCR Software for performing centralized enterprise-wide OCR processing.  Processor license allows anyone on the network to submit files for OCR.  Complex XML job specifications can be submitted to control output.  Support available for Arabic and Asian languages.	IRISPdf Server - IRISPdf  is a lower cost solution compared to recognition server, but lacks some of the more advanced features and has slightly lower accuracy. Several versions are available with varying monthly page processing limitations, letting you scale your solution to meet your budget requirements. Asian, Arabic and Hebrew language packs are also available.
Chinese, Japanese, Korean & Thai OCR Software	Arabic, Farsi & Hebrew OCR Software
ABBYY FineReader 9 Professional - FineReader Professional 9 now includes Chinese, Japanese and Thai languages in their base package. No special version or add-on is required. ABBYY FineReader 9 Corporate - FineReader Corporate 9 also includes Chinese, Japanese and Thai character recognition. IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 Asian OCR software with support for Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Korean characters. IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 Asian Adds the ability to recognize files over 50 pages, business cards and monitor a hot folder to automatically process images in the background. IRISPdf Server Asian Language Pack Enables Chinese, Japanese and Korean character recognition in a server-based solution. ABBYY Recognition Server Add 30% to the cost of the Recognition Server license to add Chinese, Japanese & Korean (CJK) language support.  Thai character recognition language pack is also available, but is sold separately from CJK.	IRIS ReadIRIS Pro 11 Middle East OCR Software with support for Arabic, Farsi and Hebrew character recognition. IRIS ReadIRIS Corporate 11 Middle East Adds the ability to recognize files over 50 pages, business cards and monitor a hot folder to automatically process images in the background. IRISPdf Arabic Language Pack Enables Arabic and Farsi character recognition in a server-based OCR software. ABBYY FineReader 9 Professional - FineReader Professional 9 supports Hebrew OCR, but does not include Arabic or Farsi support. ABBYY FineReader 9 Corporate - FineReader Corporate 9 also includes Hebrew character recognition. ABBYY Recognition Server Add 30% to the cost of the Recognition Server license to add Hebrew language character recognition support.
Personal OCR Software
Nuance TextBridge - The classic TextBridge engine is still available as an affordable alternative to high priced engines.  It gives you an ultra-low cost, yet still accurate OCR Software with out all the extra features.  Allows you to output to web pages, Word documents and more while retaining the layout of the page, but does not include PDF output. **NOT Compatible with Windows Vista**	SimpleOCR - Our own freeware OCR application provides acceptable accuracy for those who just need to convert a few pages and can't justify the cost of commercial OCR Software.  Developers can use the command-line and SDK versions to integrate SimpleOCR with their custom applications.

SimpleIndex is the easy, affordable solution for OCR Software!

How many clicks does it take to scan your documents?  This is an important question to ask when evaluating scanning solutions.  Every click of the mouse and stroke of the keyboard takes time and training.

The best overall value comes from balancing price, integration time, training time, support costs and time spent scanning and indexing.  SimpleIndex gives you this value by combining powerful automation features with a one-click user interface and aggressive pricing.

How many clicks does it take to scan with SimpleIndex?  Let's find out!  PDF - Video

We invite you to learn more about SimpleIndex's automation features. Check out our Getting Started Guide and Feature Index, watch our Video Demos, Online Training Courses, Download the Free 30-Day Trial or follow these links to find out more:

• TWAIN Scanning & ISIS scanning

• Barcode recognition to automate indexing with printed barcodes

• Zone OCR reads index values from text on the page

• Full-page OCR to MS Word, HTML, Text or PDF

• Dynamic OCR using pattern matching to find keywords anywhere on the page

• Automatically organize electronic files as well as scanned images

• No monthly page limit on processing

• Streamlined document capture workflow

• Automatically populate index fields with existing data from your database

• Many low-cost document retrieval options available

• Command-line interface for easiest application integration

• Custom database integration

• Required documents auditing feature

• Software Bates Numbering and virtual imprinting

• Complete list of Scanning and indexing features

Click here for more on OCR Software

• SimpleCoversheet - print barcodes cover pages to auto-index documents
• SimpleQC - view thumbnails, rotate, clean-up and rescan images
• SimpleSend - upload or distribute documents via FTP, WebDAV or e-mail
• SimpleQB - integrate SimpleIndex with QuickBooks accounting software
• SimpleSearch - search and view your documents

Simple Software is also the maker of SimpleOCR freeware OCR application and royalty-free OCR SDK.  Try SimpleOCR Now!