Regardless of which industry your business is a part of, automating workflows is hugely beneficial. From saving time and money to increasing accuracy and eliminating human error, process automation is a worthy investment.
Adopting a document parser is one of the most impactful solutions for businesses looking to automate their processes, but finding the right one for your company’s needs isn’t always easy. As you’re researching the top document parser tools, pay attention to these considerations to help you make the right decision for your company’s needs.
Make sure the parser accepts the kind of documents you have.
Many parsers specialize in only a few document types, such as PDFs only, but this might not meet your needs. Be sure that your select parser has the versatility to work on a wide variety of document types if that’s something you need. Some popular documents typically include:
- JPEG
- CSV
- XLS
- DOC/DOCX
Find out if they host a webinar to teach you how to use the product.
As with most software, there will be a bit of a learning curve at first, so it’s important to find a product that offers thorough education throughout the onboarding process. Webinars hosted by the software’s support team are a great way to learn how to use the product and will help you get up and running in as little time as possible.
Consider if they offer set-up assistance to help you feel comfortable with the tool.
If you are new to document parsers and don’t have technical experience, setting up your parser of choice for your business can be intimidating. Find a product that offers set-up assistance to allow you to get the most out of the software and help you feel comfortable using it.
Look into third-party app integration.
The end goal of data automation is to save time and eliminate human error. Having a solution that extracts data from your documents, only to store them in a location where you would have to grab that data manually isn’t efficient. You should only consider solutions that allow you to move your data to the appropriate 3rd party apps that you use on a regular basis such as Google Sheets, Excel, CRMs, or ERP systems.
Pay attention to the free trial limitations.
Before investing your money in new software, you should take the time to test the solution to ensure its right for you. Ideally, this trial should be risk-free (i.e. you won’t need to put in your credit card information). You should also steer clear of short trial periods as they won’t give you enough time to make a decision that’s right for you.
Also, consider if there are limitations when using the trial version of the software. Many parsing solutions tend to withhold certain features of their trial plans that are only unlocked when you upgrade, but it’s always best to get a full sense of what the software offers before making a purchase.
Figure out how many documents you’ll need to parse on a monthly basis — this will usually determine which pricing tier you need.
Figuring out approximately how many documents you will parse monthly can help you choose the pricing tier that is right for you. Simply put, don’t pay for more than you need.
Determine your ideal monthly price range.
Pricing can vary a lot between the different parsers available, so going into your search with a target budget will help you quickly narrow down your options.
Upgrade to an enterprise plan (if needed).
If your company parses a large number of documents, you may consider upgrading to an enterprise plan. In many cases, enterprise plans come in at a lower fixed rate for a parsing high volume of documents, which could end up saving you money in the long run.
Check out online reviews.
Consumers don’t hold back online. Before making a final decision, see what other customers have to say about the product, its ease of use, and its customer support. Popular software review sites such as Capterra and G2 are great places to start.
To learn more about the top parser options out there, visit: Docparser Alternatives.
