There was a time when business organizations had to manage a pile of documents for keeping their business operations efficiently. But most of the entities in the business really find it hassling to keep all these documents and make smooth & organized business operations. In today’s digital era, we are going paperless which is helping in solving many problems in management while also saving money and time. But how these businesses operations can work without using paperwork. This is because of the digital scanning solutions which are helping businesses to go paperless.
The recent evolution of the scanning apps or software is a cutting edge technology that is empowering scanning devices to enable an organization to transform their business activities digitally. A lot of companies across the world now depend upon digital scanning solutions for remote working due to the coronavirus pandemic. So that the employees will stay safe and business still works.
Are you also wishing to integrate digital scanning solutions in your business organization? If not, then reading this article will change your thoughts. In this article, we will discuss the concept of digital scanning solutions, their use cases, types of digital scanning, and also their benefits.
What is Digital Scanning?
Digital scanning is a computer-driven technology in which digital devices can be used for reading texts, objects, and performing them on the device. There are many different types of tasks such as making payments, gathering data, opening a URL, etc.
There is a particular software involved in the process. This software is capable to analyze the undecipherable digital codes, text, or physical codes, and can also capture through the camera of a smart device. Some top-notch digital scanning solutions can even process videos and moving objects.
Types of Digital Scanning
There are 4 main types of digital scanning which are commonly used by different aspects of users.
1. Barcode Scanning:
This is one of the most commonly used and popular barcode scannings. You must have seen in the malls or shopping centres billing counters, where the cashier uses a scanning device to read the barcode printed on the product wrappers. It is a LED or laser light, a sensor, and a lens in the device which scans the code. Barcode scanning has been useful in generally shopping centres, ticket validation, database management, security solutions, etc.
2. QR Code Scanning:
As we are moving to the digital payments economy, QR code scanning can act as a backbone for this. Most of the payment gateways use the Quick Response Codes which is printed on the merchants. The buyer will scan the code through the payment app scanner and then after decoding, they can make payments. There are also different types of QR codes. For e.g. a QR code can contain the URL of your website. Scanning it will launch a browser and you will be navigated to the website directly. It is also used for sharing contacts. In this contact, a QR code will have contact details, scanning which will give you the contact saves directly on your contacts list. Generally, they are mostly used for payments, advertising, manufacturing business, etc.
3. OCR Scanning:
OCR scanning is used for converting printed documents into the digital documents. Hence, if you have received a printed document containing texts and you have to edit it again then you can just scan using the OCR scanner. It is also beneficial for visually impaired users. After scanning the text, they can make edits by using their voice. It is highly cost-effective and saves a lot of time.
4. RFID Scanning:
Probably, you wouldn’t have heard of the RFID scanning, as it is highly uncommon. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) are the tags which are attached to particular types of objects. On scanning them, the data is captured. The process consists of a radio responder & receiver, transmitter, and RFID tags. This digital scanning technology is highly useful for supply chain management, inventory tracking, asset, tracking, vehicle tracking etc.
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Working of the Digital Scanning:
There are 3 main processes in Digital scanning:
1. Image Capture:
So, the process begins with capturing the image of the object. The image can be in the form of bar code, QR code, or the object itself.
2. Data Processing:
Firstly the software checks for the relevant data from the image captured. Thereafter, it will begin matching the data with the database. Generally, the database is stored online and the app is connected to it through the internet. Some software is able to even process images, shapes, and much more.
The ultimate step is to deliver output on the screen. Some of the common ways of displaying information by the software are facial recognition, pattern deduction, and space detection. The information can be in different forms such as textual data, product usage video, or through Augmented reality.
Different Use Cases of Digital Scanning Solutions:
In today’s time, there are many different industries that use digital scanning solutions for better, smooth, and efficient business operations. Some of the popular use cases of digital scanning solutions are:
1. Healthcare Sector:
The hospitals can check the patient’s ID by scanning the barcodes and understanding their medical history. They can also check the progress of their health, administer correct medicines, through the information saved in the database. The other health centres also monitor the medicines in the inventory, test samples, etc.
2. Logistics:
Digital scanning solutions help the businesses to check their shipping and logistic sector in the supply chain smoothly. The digital codes help in parcels sorting, checking any priority parcels, proof of delivery etc. It will help in optimizing the delivery schedules.
3. Manufacturing Sector:
After checking the stock in inventory, they will scan the goods received to the correct production line. It will also help in reducing the human error during production by making sure that the right parts are at the proper location.
4. Retail Sector:
The retail industry has probably got the most benefits of digital scanning solutions. The retailers can manage inventory, get payments online, and many other benefits. The buyers also get features such as real-time price verification, product information overlays, self-checkout etc.
5. Travel sector:
In the travel sector, the customers can self check with QR codes, get real-time information of the flight, fast-track board scanning and much more.
Things to consider while developing a digital scanning solution for your business:
1. ERP integration:
The digital scanning solution that you are planning to develop must be able to integrate with an Enterprise Resource Planning system that you are already using.
2. Scanning solutions must be suitable for you:
As we mentioned above, there are several types of digital scanning solutions such as barcode, QR code, RFID etc. You have to check which digital scanning code type perfectly suits your requirements.
3. Storage of Digitized data:
You can’t afford to lose your data and hence you have to properly plan the way of storing the data. It would be better if you store the data on a cloud server for the prevention of any accidental data loss.
4. Privacy Control:
You must give the highest priority to data privacy especially when you have involved your business. Make sure the digital scanning app is highly secure regarding this.
5. Works even on low internet:
One of the best comforts for users is to use digital scanning in even low internet zones.
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Wrapping Up:
A digital scanning app for your business can increase customer attraction, speed up the business operations and improve performance. At Amplework, the best mobile application development company in India, we are having expertise in developing such custom mobile app solutions. Let us know your requirements.
