Integrating Scanning Apps with Office Access and SQL Server
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Integrating scanning apps with Office Access and SQL Server
Most organizations have many business processes and applications
that utilize Microsoft Office Access or SQL Server as their database.
Whether it is ERP, CRM, e-commerce, accounting or any other business
application, it can be advantageous to tie the document imaging
solution into their databases. This can be done to validate metadata,
set relationships between information or to store content directly into
these systems.
An imaging solution should provide simple configuration tools to
query tables, and present the information in a manner that maintains
the integrity of the database while being intuitive to the user.
Administrators should be able to expose to the user selectable values
from a data source that can be stored in another data source, enabling
disparate systems to be leveraged through document imaging.
Understanding the relationships of this information is key, and having
software that is flexible enough to support such relationships without
the need for programming is critical.
The user experience must also be considered. Users must be able to
easily select values and save records, or append existing records while
at the MFP. Once a document is scanned, it needs to be stored and
accessible through the applications that leverage the databases. The
user also needs to receive immediate confirmation that the job was done
successfully and the scanned image is available.
Putting it all together
One of the most important considerations for any solution is how
easy it is for users to use and incorporate it into how they work.
The scanning software needs to handle complex activity transparently
and consistently. If it does, then users can perform their tasks
without the need for additional training. This enables users to
store document images and related content in the proper locations,
where it is then exposed in real time in the business applications they
use.
Any organization can successfully maximize the value of investments
in Microsoft applications by including document imaging, as long as
they consider these important elements. By doing this, organizations
ultimately can achieve greater operational efficiency and business
effectiveness, eliminating the "paper problem" from their work
processes.
Ed White is the Software Alliance Development Manager for eCopy, Inc.
Ed is an experienced software and product manager for the IT industry.
As an AIIM ECM certified professional, Ed is versed in enterprise
strategies, technologies and solutions for managing content, as well as
in governance structure and integration techniques for managing
information assets. Previously, Ed served as a product manager for
eCopy (managing integrations with partner software applications) and as
a software solution specialist within the Ricoh sales channels.
Prior to his roles at eCopy, Ed held several positions at Aerovox
Corp. in engineering and marketing management. Ed holds a Bachelor's
Degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ed also holds a Master's Degree from Bentley College where he
specialized in marketing, with concentrations in IT and management
information systems. He can be reached at EWhite@eCopy.com.
