What does OCR mean?
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The technology recognises text in images or scanned documents and converts it into machine-readable characters. This makes content searchable and available for further processing.
AN EXAMPLE IN PRACTICE
Where you might encounter it
A delivery note is saved as a scan. OCR recognises item numbers, quantities, and other labels. Subsequent processing assigns the details to the appropriate fields; unclear characters are flagged for review.
Why does this matter for your business?
Your team spends less time typing information from images. Recognition quality depends, among other things, on resolution, legibility, layout, and font.
OCR and document processing: what is the difference?
OCR reads characters. Intelligent document processing also classifies documents, extracts relevant details, and connects them to a business process. Recognising text does not itself mean an invoice has been checked.
Frequently asked questions
Does every PDF need OCR?
No. Many PDFs already contain readable text. OCR is primarily needed for image-based PDFs and scans. You can check what type of document it is before processing.
Can OCR reliably recognise all handwriting?
No. Handwriting, blurry images, and unusual layouts can make recognition more difficult. Plan an additional review for important details.
What to keep in mind
- Use legible scans rather than heavily compressed images.
- Check numbers and similar-looking characters carefully.
- Distinguish character recognition from checking the data for accuracy.
Further sources
From NetzTurm Decode. Clear explanations for your business.