Whether in transportation and shipping, travel, or fleet management, capturing personal data is essential to daily operations for numerous companies across a wide range of industries. In many cases, companies are even required to store digital copies of this data, always in compliance with applicable data protection standards. Given these demands, what is the best way to capture and store sensitive data with mobile ID scanning technology?
In 2022, there are various ways to capture and transfer information efficiently and quickly: conventional handheld scanners, simple cell phone photos, mailing, and others. However, the most efficient and flexible method is via the smartphone – a mobile tool used by about 85% of U.S. American citizens. But what are the advantages of a smartphone for mobile data capture, and how can you effortlessly turn one into a scanner? Let’s dive into those questions with this blog post.
What are the options for mobile ID scanning?
Modern technology is advancing in leaps and bounds, and the range of options for digitizing and automating workflows is correspondingly large. Let’s suppose a company wants to add functions for scanning ID documents to their mobile app. In that case, they can choose between developing their own code, adapting Open Source scanning software, or procuring the desired features from an SDK vendor.
The first two approaches have clear drawbacks when you need a solution that just works. Developing high-quality features on your own is highly labor-intensive and time-consuming. All responsibility for maintenance, updates, and bug fixes rests on your own organization. This isn’t the case for Open Source software, but you are entirely dependent on external, independent developers. It can become unusable at any time due to arising incompatibilities or the lack of updates.
On the other hand, Scanner SDKs offer the total package of first-class, proven functions, support during integration and beyond, as well as maintenance, updates, and continuous improvements to existing functions. Unlike with open source software, here you benefit both from the software components themselves and numerous contractually agreed services.
This is why smartphones are the ID scanners of the future
Mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets offer numerous advantages for your company. Cost and flexibility are two of the most important. Today, powerful mobile devices are available for under $300 and provide the same output quality and user experience as costly, dedicated high-end scanning devices – after integrating a Scanner SDK. They also offer maximum flexibility, as they do not require a direct connection to an external device. Data is available in real-time on the smartphone display and can be forwarded immediately to the back end.
The wide adoption of smartphones also facilitates the introduction of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) strategies, which enable rapid onboarding, significant cost savings, and maximum flexibility during peak periods. Learn more about this in our BYOD and COPE infographic.
Use cases your enterprise can cover with Scanbot ID solutions
Scanbot SDK Scanning Solutions for ID documents can be flexibly applied to all use cases requiring personal data capture. Let’s now explore some practical application areas together and learn more about the practical benefits of a mobile scanner app.
Age verification for delivery of restricted goods: When delivering age-restricted goods, the recipient’s data has to be recorded for age verification. Digitizing ID documents by taking a cell phone photo risks inferior quality, which makes verification in the back end more difficult. Manual data entry, too, often leads to input errors and delayed processes. After all, typing in data takes lots of time.
Applications with scanning functions solve these problems. Using the device camera, the Scanbot SDK ID card scanner modules for international passports with MRZ fields (Machine Readable Zones) enable mobile data capture in milliseconds. Data is then converted into key-value pairs, immediately ready for automatic further processing and verification.
Travel: The versatile solutions of the Scanbot SDK can also be applied within the travel industry. For example, ID card scanning accelerates digital check-in for airline passengers or boarding. Here, employees can flexibly scan ID documents without being tied to a fixed terminal and additional hardware.
At the same time, passengers can check in comfortably from home without typing in data manually – and possibly incorrectly. Here, flexibility and precision ensure smooth workflows in the back end of major airlines. Find out more in our exclusive eBook on mobile scanning in air travel!
Customer verification: To close a contract, such as an insurance policy or a mobile plan, it’s frequently necessary to validate the customer’s identity. Poor-quality paper copies and document photos reduce efficiency because they often require manual processing and block fully digital input management. Scanning identity documents such as passports, ID cards, and driver’s licenses, on the other hand, provides the perfect foundation for automated processing with advanced data extraction capabilities.
Would you like to discuss your application in detail with one of our experts? Don’t hesitate to contact us! We look forward to working with you to find the perfect solution for your business. Let’s talk.