What is scan and recognise?
The term dates from paper invoices: scan the document and the software recognises the data. Today most invoices arrive as PDFs and receipts as photos, but the term stuck for software that reads invoices and prepares them for the books, usually with OCR plus templates or supplier rules.
Where does classic scan and recognise fall short?
It saves typing, but the remaining work is often the larger part.
- Templates break on new layouts and every new supplier needs setup.
- Coding (GL account, VAT code, cost centre) often stays manual.
- Every invoice still needs opening and approving before booking.
- Bank matching and client questions happen elsewhere or by email.
How does AI go beyond scan and recognise?
AI reads the invoice in context: how this supplier was booked, which VAT situation is usual and which agreements the firm recorded. The output is a booking proposal with a confidence score; above your threshold Autoboeker books it, and the payment is later matched to the same invoice.
