Receipts, invoices, medical reports ... the custom of filing everything can save us from a serious upset when a product has broken down and we have to claim it, or we want to recover a document from the past. To date, the option of the “AZ” type filing cabinet was very valid but in a paperless world in which we are immersed it no longer makes sense to store materials that are susceptible to deterioration or loss. In current times, it is advisable to digitize everything to later recover it through a simple search from your mobile or computer.
Do you have to buy a scanner for it? Although it is always an interesting option if there are many documents to be scanned, it is enough to use a dedicated application on the mobile to supply this function, and with a note, too. Today's phone optics allow for high resolutions and a document can be archived in a few simple steps. We are going to review the best applications for it.
Notes (iPhone)
Document scanning has become so popular that manufacturers like Apple have natively integrated it into their applications. For the iPhone, the versatile and beloved Notes app makes document scanning intuitive and hassle-free. Apple has made this function as simple as pressing a button and everything is automated, or customize the edges of the document if you want to touch up the document to scan. Access to the scanner is direct via Force Touch (the long press of the Notes icon) or by creating a new note and pressing the camera button. The documents are stored in the app itself and from there they can be printed or exported to other applications.
CamScanner
For those who want to go beyond the simple digitization of documents and want to add additional functions, the application market is full of gems such as CamScanner. This application offers extras for those who opt for a subscription model such as OCR text recognition, instant translation of scanned text or the possibility of storing digitized documents in the cloud. This application has a very high number of positive evaluations in the application stores but was involved in a serious security problem when Kaspersky discovered that the app introduced malicious software ( malware ) in its version of Android, which prompted Google to withdraw it withering from your app store. Amended the problem by its developer, Google republished the app on Google Play. This issue did not affect iPhone users.
Dropbox
You don't need to pay to enjoy a great scanner app, and this maxim is demonstrated by the popular Dropbox cloud storage service. This function allows you to digitize documents directly from the mobile application and they will be stored in the service account. Like Apple with its service integrated into Notes, Dropbox does not complicate life and offers the user a fair balance between a free, simple service and with extensive possibilities in the business sector. This scanner allows you to scan documents with automatic detection, digitize the content of whiteboards and process multiple pages, and those who subscribe to payment plans can enjoy text searches within the scanned document.
Evernote Scannable
The Evernote cloud note service pioneered the strategy of bringing value-added features to the original business, one of which was the scanner. This company initially opted for a separate application on the iPhone, Scannable, while for Android, a platform that it later accessed, it integrated this possibility within the application itself. It might be thought that the firm would apply convergence criteria between both platforms by integrating the scanner in both apps , but Scannable was so beloved in the iOS ecosystem that Evernote chose to leave it as a separate application. The American firm makes scanning as simple as pressing a simple button, although it may be excessively minimalist for those who want more customization options. As an extra point, Evernote allows you to expressly digitize business cards, something that those who accumulate these types of documents will appreciate.
How to get the best results when scanning documents
Although each application has its specific functions and extras that each one must assess whether it is worth the investment or not, they all share a common engine that makes the most of the camera lens and applies the software to achieve excellent results. However, there are a series of steps common to all of them that will allow us to obtain the best results:
- Place the document on a dark background, so that the program is able to recognize the edges and start the process; the darker the background, the better the results, and a dark-hued parquet floor or table can work.
- Trust the software : many times we are tempted to turn the phone at impossible angles and move the document with the intention of improving the result. The truth is that this type of application is designed for an insultingly simple use: the user only has to hold the mobile in front of the document and be patient; The program will do the rest.
- Avoid wrinkled papers since they will make it difficult for the application to recognize the edges and the result will not be as real as that obtained with a scanner itself.
- Edit the document to an optimal result: in general, these applications apply automated formats (color, black and white, blackboard ...), but if the initial result is not convincing, the image can be retouched by converting it to color if necessary. in black and white and vice versa.
- Find optimal light conditions: do not forget that the scanner on a mobile phone only uses the camera lens hardware that is governed by the principles of photography. If the light conditions are good, the results will also be good, despite the fact that most services use the mobile flash for optimal results.
