NeatReceipts : Product Review
NeatReceipts is a mobile scanner and digital filing system that connects to desktops and laptops via a USB cable. This compact device can be used to scan documents, receipts, and business cards. The scanned documents are filed and analyzed, and information is pulled from the documents and filed in the forms, with space for users to add notes. It’s perfect for those avid travelers and business people who don’t want the added concern of organizing a mess of papers or the added weight.
- The NeatWorks program has an easy-to-use, fairly intuitive design and the actual scanner is just as simple.
- Folder names can be customized
- Text from scanned documents can be dragged into the form’s “notes” section
- Receipts scan well, as do the back of receipts (for return directions and such)
- Works very well for black and white documents
- Information from receipts and business cards is copied into a form
- Still helps to organize the paper, even if it requires the user to check over all of the fields
- Can only be installed on one computer; Users must purchase the software again to use the device on other computers.
- Cannot be used on iPads or netbooks because the screens are too small to accommodate the program
- White lettering on color backgrounds doesn’t show up well
- The copied information (from receipts and business cards) is frequently incorrect--information is not always inputted into the right fields nor inputted at all.
- Doesn’t always recognize the type of document (ie document, receipt, contact) correctly
- Documents scanned in the “color” function appear washed out and faded, as do documents (in color and in black & white) scanned straight to PDF
Overall, the program will work best for people looking to keep track of receipts and black & white (or high contrast) documents, offering them an easy and efficient way to organize their papers. Despite having its flaws, NeatReceipts does the trick for people looking to minimize the amount of paper they have to carry around (or risk losing) and still proves easier than sorting through everything in a filing cabinet.
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Kristen Micek (@KristenMicek) holds a BA in English with a minor in Digital Cinema from DePaul University, where she is currently pursuing a MA in Media and Cinema Studies. She is a Digital Media Strategist at Kambio Group and Senior Editor at SocialTechPop. She's been published in NewCity and contributes film reviews to CrimeSpree Magazine. Kristen is always trying to learn about the newest technology trends, as well as spending an inordinate amount of time watching movies and reading.