How To Use a Card Scanner

A scanner is equipment that is used to scan items. These items may be an object or a printed document. After scanning, the device converts the copied image into digital data to be read by a computer. There are four basic types of scanners. These are the desktop scanners, hand-held scanners, drum scanners and film scanners. Desktop or flatbed scanners are the most common scanners available. They work by allowing a very bright light to pass through the image placed on the glass pane. The sensors will then scan the image and collect the interpreted data. An example of a flatbed scanner is a card scanner.

A card scanner is a portable and lightweight type of scanner. It is commonly used by companies collecting business cards for marketing and other business deals. It is a device primarily used to scan business cards. Once the card is scanned, its own business card reader software will interpret the gathered data. Most of the data gathered are names, addresses and telephone numbers. This data will be used for several purposes including filing and organizing contacts.

Here are the steps on how to use a card scanner.

1. Install the card scanner software on the computer. Once the software is installed, plug the scanner into the computer. Most card scanners are plugged into the USB port of the computer.
2. Turn the card scanner on. Wait for the scanner to be on standby. Most card scanners have a ready light indicator to signify that the scanning mechanism is ready.
3. Open the card scanner application installed on the computer.
4. Place the business card on the card feeder. Wait for it to finish scanning the card. Once done, the scanner will automatically remove the card from the feeder.
5. Wait for the data to be transferred to the computer. Once done, you should see the image of the card and all the captured information on the screen.
6. You are now ready to save the business card information on the computer. Once saved, there are other features that you can use.

Most card scanner software has exporting features. You can easily export your saved data to applications like MS Outlook and MS Excel. These applications can help in organizing and filing your business contacts. MS Outlook is an e-mail program developed by Microsoft. It also has a contacts section where you can save telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. This is a very helpful feature, especially if you are using e-mail in running the business. MS Excel is the spreadsheet program from Microsoft. It can help arrange business contacts for easier access.

There are a lot of business card readers available in the market. One of the leading suppliers of card readers is CardScan. Started in 1993, the company was created by Jonathan Stern. As of now, it sells several card reader scanners including CardScan executive and CardScan personal. CardScan executive is the leading product of CardScan. It boasts of its scan speed of up to 30 cards per minute. There is also business card software that can be purchased separately. The most common are BizCard reader SalesForce and Cardiris.

There are several card scanners available. Not only do these card scanners read business cards, they can also scan credit cards. No wonder the future of business contact management is easy because of card scanners.