I am trying to find out what is need to start scanning our direct mail donations.  What scanner can I use?  Is there software involved?  Do I need another RE module?  Please help!

 Thank you!!!

Debra

Hi,

The David Suzuki Foundation just implemented bar code scanning for gifts. We purcased a Symbol scanner that plugs into the USB port of any computer, and this basically scans directly into a batch into RE with basically no changes or software required. All you need to do is add the barcode field into a batch.

The one thing we did need to do, was that the barcodes on our campaigns need to have variable appeal ID, campaign ID, donor ID and Package ID. So we had to write a little program in Microsoft Access to be able to generate the barcode information, from what RE exported.

Very easy to setup. I think the one catch is why do you want to do it. So far I see minimal speed increase in entering gifts, I guess the main benefit is the accuracy.

We do not have a scanner or OCR, but we utilize the services of our bank to provide the batch information to us.  We print a scanline on the direct mail piece which includes our constituent ID#, campaign code, fund, and appeal.  The checks for these appeals go directly to our bank and then our bank provides us with a daily batch and all of the back-up documentation (envelopes, correspondence, etc.).

If anyone is using an OCR reader in-house, please let me know.

Joan