Automated Forms Processing

Document image capture and forms automation share a lot in common. They are built on the same technologies. Both involve scanning, and they each rely on image processing capabilities to enhance or evaluate a document image. In both cases, indexing and other data must be extracted from the image.

The main difference between the two applications has to do with the way each one treats imaged data. With document capture, imaged data are entered (either manually or through ICR) with reference to one or a small number of index fields. With forms automation, most or all of the imaged data on each form are intelligently recognized and extracted, often from highly complex documents where ICR accuracy is mission-critical.

In other words, with an image capture application, the document image is the end product. With forms automation, the document image functions simply as a means towards an end; indeed, in some applications, the form image is thrown out after the data is successfully extracted.

As a result, the way that documents are organized is handled differently for image capture than for forms automation, particularly in production applications. With document imaging, scanned images of varied and mixed document types are indexed, then organized into folders for on-demand viewing. With forms processing, highly structured documents are identified and sorted by form type, then they are batch-processed using recognition templates that automatically find the data fields by using predefined location coordinate information. In the case of so-called “unstructured” forms, the form templates are defined more by rules, morphological analysis, and feature extraction than they are by stored, location- specific information; but in both cases, an explicit data set is detected, classified, and exported to a database.

Today, merged image capture and forms automation applications are entering the high-tech mainstream, where users demand uncomplicated, user friendly applications with a short payback. The two applications are offered together in software packages that employ a common document scanning operation, and then pass the document images through predefined indexing or recognition workflows, based upon document-specific criteria. Lower computing costs, more powerful and more sophisticated technology, and an abundant IT infrastructure, all combine to promote vendor success.

Automated Forms Processing Comes of Age:

Automated forms processing has evolved considerably since the days of DOS and 286’s. For a long time, the dream exceeded the reality because unlocking the potential savings and benefits of forms automation requires a complex, corporate-wide infrastructure that integrates interdependent EDMS technologies into a cohesive whole. However, that solution was unavailable until recently (at least without spending a small fortune). Enormous advances in scanner technology, image compression, ICR, image enhancement, database management, LAN, networks, APIs, chip technology, GUIs, systems integration, and data entry ergonomics had to occur before the total forms automation solutions of today became possible.

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Article Source: http://www.imergeconsult.com