CardScan Executive: Import Business Card Info into Your Pocket PC

As a physician and technology writer, I encounter volumes of business cards that I must import into Outlook and ultimately to my Windows Mobile devices. If I don't, I risk losing critical contact information. For years I've used a small, portable business card scanner called CardScan to help me with this task. It's proved to be an invaluable tool, allowing me to scan business cards, convert the information to text, and import it to my PC, which I then sync with my Pocket PC. So when I heard that Corex was introducing a new and improved version, CardScan Executive, I was intrigued. Could they improve upon the best business card scanner I've ever used?

Smaller, lighter, more accurate

The new CardScan Executive weighs 8 ounces and is about the size of a rather thick Pocket PC. That makes it 50% smaller than the previous version of the device. The unit connects to a desktop PC via a USB 2.0 cable. The enhanced speed of USB 2.0 makes data transfer noticeably faster than previous versions of the scanner (which uses USB 1). As with the previous version, the new device is powered by this USB cable, thereby eliminating the need for a separate power cord.

Corex has also dramatically improved the OCR software (v.7), giving me close to 100% accuracy when I scanned in my latest batch of business cards from a recent medical meeting I attended. This accuracy is a huge improvement over the last release. The screen interface has also undergone dramatic improvements, making it easier and more intuitive to use. Another new feature is the ability to click on the address to get a MapQuest map and directions to the contact's address as well as a link to their company's Web site.

Another cool feature of the Executive is the import of the entire card image into the notes section of Outlook's contacts PIM. Unfortunately, this image does not transfer over to Pocket Outlook. Hopefully, the next version of the software will transfer this image into the Mobile device. One suggestion; if you want the best accuracy, do not make handwritten notes on the front face of the business card. There is no quicker way to confuse the scanner.

Online backup and Web

Corex provides its customers with an online backup service, allowing you to save your contacts on their secure Web site (http://www.cardscan.net). Go to the site, create your personal account, and you can save your contacts to an online file.

Another perk Corex includes is a contact updating service they call AccuCard. After saving your file to CardScan.Net, enable the AccuCard feature. Once activated, this service e-mails your contacts every quarter, asking them to update their information, thus insuring that you have the most accurate, up to date information possible.

There is also a cool new feature in the OCR software that allows you to find and eliminate duplicate contacts. I have always wanted something like this to be included in Outlook and Pocket Outlook. Hopefully someone at Microsoft will read this review, and get the message.

An evolutionary product

The new Corex CardScan Executive is a logical evolution of the portable business card scanner. The diminutive size, weight, and form factor make it an ideal business travel companion for your laptop and Pocket PC. The improvements in speed and accuracy have also evolved to make this a very useful and impressive business tool. Once again, Corex has set a new standard in this essential technology for anyone who picks up a business card, and then has to input that information into their mobile device.

The software works with a PC running Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows 98. The PC must have at least 64 MB of RAM and 90 MB of free hard disk space for a minimum installation (120 MB for a full installation).

Corex products are available at major office retailers such as Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and CompUSA, authorized resellers, or directly from Corex (http://www.cardscan.com).