While most scanners are fairly similar in purpose, models like the Neat Receipts Scanalizer are designed for niche users. This unique sheet-fed scanner allows business travelers to easily organize their business cards and expense receipts.

The Scanalizer is quite compact, measuring less than 11 inches long and about 1-1/2 inches square. The entire unit weighs under 11 ounces, so it's a handy device to take on the road. You can have your receipts scanned and ready to turn in with your expense report by the time you get back to the office.

The scanner is powered through a USB port, so there's no AC adapter to carry around. However, you need a PC running Windows 2000 or XP, as the Scanalizer won't currently work with Macs or earlier versions of Windows. Installing the scanner is a breeze, as it's a plug-and-play device. In fact, it took us much longer to install the included software than the scanner itself.

Speaking of software, the Scanalizer features NeatScan technology that automatically recognizes common fields and organizes the information into a database. For example, if you scan in a receipt from a business lunch, the Scanalizer will fill the appropriate database fields with the date, amount spent, cash or credit card, the restaurant name and more. For straightforward receipts, the NeatScan technology is quite effective, and it also works well deciphering name, phone number and other items on business cards.

While it supports color scanning, the standard scan mode is grayscale, and the Scanalizer can have problems with uniquely illustrated or colored cards and receipts. On the other hand, the optical character recognition and extraction works relatively well for black-and-white receipts, business cards and other documents up to 8-1/2X11 inches, and you can always fill in any information the Scanalizer misses.

At an MSRP of $230, the Scanalizer isn't the most cost-effective scanner. But if you need a scanner that will digitize those stacks of business cards and piles of receipts, the Neat Receipts Scanalizer does the job well.


Pros:  Easily portable, intuitive and effective software
Cons:  Expensive, struggles with color scans, not currently Mac-compatible

Warranty
1 year, limited