Automatically capturing and processing PDF orders, invoices, delivery notes, or packing slips without errors increases productivity and reduces costs. After all, who wants to manually type mass data into their ERP, WMS, TMS, or OMS? We show how to automate OCR processes with maximum accuracy so that employees can focus on more demanding tasks.
The Challenge
Millions of PDF documents, TIFF files, and other image formats are exchanged between companies every day, and the majority are processed manually. The structure, format, and content are often too varied for traditional OCR technology to recognize and process the text without errors—or so the common belief goes.
90% accuracy sounds good, but it is usually not enough
What is the point of 90% accuracy if humans still have to manually check, correct, or even re-enter 50% of the PDFs in their entirety?
Instinctive Solutions Fail
Once the danger is identified, one might think the right software will fix it. Or better yet: force PDF senders to only send highly standardized documents that match the capabilities of your OCR software. Unfortunately, both approaches are doomed to fail.
Artificial intelligence and standardization alone do not solve the problem
Intelligent Processing Instead of Simple Extraction
Automation requires much more than just information recognition. Data such as item numbers, contracting parties, line items, or prices must not only be extracted from the PDF documents but also processed further before being imported into the target system:
- Time formats must be converted
- Prices, quantities, or discount campaigns must be calculated or validated
- Addresses or reference numbers must be validated and supplemented
- Multiple orders must be consolidated into a single data record
PDF data can be automatically enriched and improved as needed
Successful Automation Involves Several Steps
- Selecting the software that fits the specific use case
- Mastering the selected software in detail and being able to creatively solve edge cases
- Always keeping the entire process in mind during automation
- Thinking about secure operation as early as the implementation phase
- Not losing sight of ongoing development
Success breeds success
