ABBYY has added batch scanning, efficient indexing, and intelligent output handling to the latest version of its solution for document capture and optical character recognition (OCR).

ABBYY Recognition Server 3.0is a server-based solution for automating document processing in enterprise and service-based environments. Version 3.0 is designed to automatically convert large volumes of paper documents or document images into fully searchable electronic text suitable for business processes such as document archiving, e-discovery, and enterprise search.

Recognition Server enables automated, unattended processing which can be centrally managed and accessed from multiple points within the organisation or remotely. Recognition Server can also connect with a variety of back-end systems and third-party applications with integration via Scripts, XML tickets, a Web-service API, or a COM-based API. ABBYY intelligent OCR and PDF conversion technology delivers highly accurate document conversion with recognition of up to 190 languages.

New Recognition Server functionality is delivered through the addition of two new "stations" to the Recognition Server package. A new Scanning Station extends Recognition Server's capabilities beyond simple "back-end" processing to now support also capture of documents. Recognition Server's new Indexing Station provides a simple, efficient way to manually extract key data from a document for quick and easy indexing and cataloguing of document metadata.

"Recognition Server is designed to provide easily deployable and manageable automated document conversion," explained Andrey Isaev, director of Technology Products for ABBYY.

"Our latest enhancements make the link between document input and output more seamless. Our scanning station provides intuitive tool for inputting documents directly into Recognition Server while the 'point-and-click' indexing and new scripting capabilities for customising separation and routing help make output documents more suitable for further processing."

The new Scanning Station supports high-speed batch scanning of paper documents via TWAIN, WIA, and ISIS drivers. Enhanced scripting functionality enables administrators to create flexible rules for document separation. For example, documents can be separated by a certain word, phrase or a set of barcode values found on a page.

By analyzing the structure and content of documents according to the pre-defined rules, the system can also perform document type detection and key indexing automatically. In addition, the new Indexing Station makes it easy for operators to specify document attributes and pull key data out of recognized text on a document. With its "point-and-click" indexing, operators simply use the mouse to outline the area on a page that contains the key data, e.g. invoice number, fax recipient's name, applicant's name, etc.

Once the general processing is complete, output documents and their attributes can be routed to the next workflow stage or to final storage by an export handling script. A separate export handling script can be set up for working with failed jobs.

ABBYY Recognition Server 3.0 is compatible with Google Search Appliance, SharePoint Server and Windows Search via connectors available as Add-on modules. When using Recognition Server together with enterprise search systems, image-based documents such as faxes, scanned agreements, contracts, correspondence, and any other TIFF, JPEG or PDF files can be easily converted into fully searchable data for easy access by enterprise search tools.