Automation is transforming the way businesses handle data, especially when it involves unstructured content such as scanned documents, invoices, receipts, or images. Extracting meaningful information from these sources is essential for end-to-end process automation. This is where Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology becomes a game changer.
Within the SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) ecosystem, OCR enables bots to read and extract text from images and documents, unlocking vast automation potential across industries. This article explores the fundamentals of OCR, its integration in SAP Intelligent RPA, and best practices to maximize its value.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a technology that converts printed or handwritten text in images, scanned documents, or PDFs into machine-readable text. Instead of manually typing out information, OCR enables automated extraction, facilitating faster processing and reduced errors.
SAP Intelligent RPA combined with OCR is widely used for automating processes such as:
SAP Intelligent RPA offers integration with OCR services through SAP AI Business Services and third-party providers. The OCR functionality is embedded in Document Information Extraction (DIE) or via SAP Conversational AI and SAP AI Core integrations.
Your bot can capture images through screen scraping, scanners, or upload digital document files like PDFs or TIFFs.
Invoke the OCR API or service integrated within your bot workflow. This extracts text and returns it in a structured format such as JSON or XML.
Process the extracted data by validating, cleansing, or transforming it. This may involve:
Use the extracted information to automate downstream processes in SAP systems—such as creating purchase orders, updating records, or triggering approvals.
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Poor image quality | Use image preprocessing and scanner settings |
| Handwritten or cursive text | Employ advanced AI-powered OCR models |
| Complex document layouts | Utilize template-based extraction |
| Data extraction errors | Implement validation and human-in-the-loop |
| Integration complexity | Use SAP AI Business Services for seamless API integration |
OCR is a vital technology that significantly extends the capabilities of SAP Intelligent RPA by enabling bots to process unstructured and semi-structured data from images and documents. Integrating OCR with automation workflows accelerates business processes, reduces manual effort, and improves data accuracy.
By adopting OCR-enabled SAP Intelligent RPA solutions and following best practices, organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency and digital transformation.