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Information Capture FAQ

What is Information Capture?

Information capture software, like Datacap Taskmaster, is used by organizations to manage their information faster, more cost effectively and with greater accuracy. Organizations no longer make distinctions between forms processing, or data capture, document capture. Nor are they seeking a solution for just one document type. For these reasons, information capture is a more frequently used term. 

What is Taskmaster?


Taskmaster is Datacap's leading data capture software platform. Taskmaster's expanded rules-based architecture enable easier solution configuration to fit your business processes. Taskmaster combines the entire Datacap product line - Paper Keyboard, Taskmaster, Taskmaster Web, DocEdit, Business Document capture system (BDOcs) - into one flexible, scalable integrated product set. See the What's New page for a complete listing of new features for Taskmaster 6.2.

Does Taskmaster support "unstructured forms" processing?


Yes, Taskmaster includes capabilities for the dynamic identification of documents and automatic finding of fields. Originally available in Datacap's Business Document capture system, or BDOcs, highly-variable document processing options are now part of the standard feature set. Invoice processing is the perfect example of this type of information capture. Learn more about unstructured forms processing.

How does Taskmaster conform to my business process?


A capture system processes documents through a "capture workflow", which begins with scanning and continues through recognition, validations, verifications and export to your target system. Unlike other capture systems, which have a rigid workflow that entails special scripting if you have a unique requirement (which most customers do!), Taskmaster can be easily adjusted to mirror your current process without expensive programming.  No matter what variation on the process you require, Taskmaster can enable it simply by the placement of a rule to automate it.

What applications is Taskmaster best suited for?


Taskmaster was designed as a solution for the complete spectrum of information capture automation. Use Taskmaster for:

  • Structured paper forms, including medical claims, tax returns, surveys and applications
  • Unstructured documents, such as invoices, shipping bills, and EOBs
  • "Digital Mailroom" applications for indexing and rules-based classification of documents, faxes and e-mail
  • Remote or distributed scanning, verification and administration over the Internet
  • Adding forms processing capabilities to FileNet Capture and Kofax Ascent Capture

What are Taskmaster Rules?


In Taskmaster, rules are discrete sets of actions, controlled by logic, which are designed to accomplish a task. Taskmaster contains a Rule Library of hundreds of pre-built rules, which are used to implement a capture system at every level in the capture hierarchy - batch, document, page, and field levels. You can create your own rules and document capture workflow with Microsoft VB Script.

What are the advantages of a true client server system like Taskmaster?


As IT professionals know, the "architecture" of a computer system makes a difference when considering such issues as scalability, stability and performance at peak periods. A true Client-Server system (as opposed to Peer-to-Peer) is better suited for capture systems that need to grow with the user, that process high volumes, and of course, systems that want to take advantage of the Internet. The main difference is the distribution of work. With a peer-to-peer system, all data and images are passed sequentially from one computer to the next until an image has been processed. With Client-Server, data and images are stored on the server, and when a client finishes a task, recognition of a batch of images, for example, it updates the server and asks if there are any other batches ready for recognition, and if so, where to get it. As volumes go up, or you want add new functionality, it's simply a matter of adding a new client and pointing it at the server.

How can I use Taskmaster over the Internet?


Taskmaster is powered by Extensible Markup Language (XML), which makes it compatible with the Internet (as well as intranets and extranets) to distribute capture tasks completely securely to PCs with a standard browser.  If you have a distributed workforce or multiple office locations, Taskmaster enables you to use the Internet for such tasks as scanning, indexing images, verifying data entry panels, and administering a Taskmaster system. Some customers have taken advantage of this feature to install capture systems centrally using their organization's intranet.  The advantage is your IT people don't have to install and maintain software on each individual station.

What can I do in a browser?


With Taskmaster, you can scan, index and administer your Taskmaster system using only a standard browser and PC. All you need is a user name and password to access the Taskmaster web server. Unlike some Internet capture solutions, no software needs to be installed on the PC.

Does Taskmaster work with Content and Document Management Systems?


Yes, Taskmaster integrates with many leading document management systems, including FileNet, Hyland Onbase, IBM, EMC Documentum, Stellent (formerly Optika), Vignette, EMC Legato, OIT, Global 360 (formerly eiStream), Docuware and others.

What operating platforms does Taskmaster support?


Taskmaster supports Windows 2000, Windows 2003, XP, and NT. Browser-based capture requires Microsoft IIS and Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher. Datacap is a Certified Microsoft Partner. For more information, visit our supported platforms page.

Does Taskmaster work with Citrix?


Citrix Presentation Server enables users to access applications from any computer through secure seessions, working as if the application was installed on their local computer. Taskmaster can operate under Citrix, and several Datacap customers are using this capability. Visit our supported platforms page for more information.

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