Scanning documents and saving them on a portable device or computer is safer than storing the documents in filing cabinets in the office. This technology has gradually made filing cabinets extinct in many business spaces.

The functions of scanners in running a retail business are irreplaceable, so you’ll likely need a scanner in your list of must-have equipment.

If you want to choose the right scanner for your retail business, here are some important things you should consider.

1. What will you Scan?

This should be your primary consideration because the best scanner for your business will depend on what you need to scan. Will you be scanning receipts or documents? Will you scan photographs or need photo identification?

Most scanners can easily scan photo identifications, receipts, and paper records. If your business requires scanning images, you will need photo scanners with enhanced color and higher resolution to preserve the photograph’s appearance in digital form.

1. How Many Documents Will you Scan?

If you have several paper documents that you want to digitize, your printer choice should accommodate scanning of high-volume documents. High-end scanners usually come with automatic feeders that scan large amounts of documents without supervision. With this feature, you can create a digital archive of documents with ease.

If your business requires occasional scanning of documents, you can buy a less expensive scanner. Portable scanners are available for this purpose and won’t cost you much.

1. Do you Need Optical Character Recognition?

With optical character recognition (OCR), your computer can easily read texts in documents. This helps in organizing, formatting, and searching for scanned documents. The newer models of scanners have this feature because it is currently an industry-standard feature.

Getting a scanner with OCR can save you a lot of time to carry out other activities for your business.

1. Which Operating System do you Have?

Any document scanner you want to buy should be compatible with your current operating system. Many scanners can work perfectly with PC software, but some are more compatible with Mac.

If you’re using Mac OS, ensure the scanner is compatible with the software, or you can install a third-party driver that allows you to use the scanner with your Mac.

1. What Resolution do you Need?

For documents, the standard resolution is 600 – 1200 dpi, but if you scan photos, ensure the resolution is at least 2000 dpi, which often costs more than the standard resolution scanners.

1. Which Image Sensor do you Need?

Scanners with a compact image sensor are more expensive than those with a contact image sensor. The contact image sensor struggles to scan bound or wrinkled paper. The charge-couple scanners do not have this problem but cost more and need more space.

1. Do you Need a Scanner with USB Connectivity?

Newer scanner models have the wireless connectivity feature, but you can get a scanner that also has USB connectivity for backup. Some people prefer scanners with only USB connectivity, but check your business needs to choose the right one.