Hi, I'm using version 3.1 (svc pack 1). Here are some more detailed short-comings of Neat Receipts:

Total lack of security of Neat Receipts. You can't add a password to protect the receipts data base, which is important because of the sensitive nature of the receipts.

Secondly, if there are more than one receipt associated with an entry, you can't add a second or third receipt or document to an existing entry.

The user interface in dealing with the NR database and the folders are abysmal. You cannot set or control where your database is stored. It is stored in some obscure folder, which is not easily backed up. I have an OS partition with programs, and a data partition for my data. Unfortunately I cannot set the database to be stored in my database partition (I probably could hack the registry but with SQL Server and the required .NET 2.0 I don't want to mess with it). I also have not figured out how to create multiple databases. NR assumes you will only need one DB, and that you are expected to use the folders in a single DB to categorize / classify your receipts. This is pure absurdidity.

The user interface is also severely lacking when dealing with the document "folders". You can't easily create new folders / folder types. You are constrained to the types of folders that NR gives you, period. You can't easily move receipts from folder to folder. For example, I scan my Blockbuster receipt to folder 1, but if I want to move it to folder 2, I can't drag and drop, and I can't simply edit the "folder" column of the receipt to change it to folder 2. What I must do is cut the receipt, go to folder 2, and then paste it there. Basically something that should be quick and easy requires 3 - 4 steps, irritating.

Hopefully these will be resolved in the future.

I disagree. Despite my complaints above about NR, it is far more than a OCR program to convert receipts to PDF.

It is a powerful indexing / classification / categorization application that sorts the PDFs / images into a very usable database. You can then use this database to produce useful reports, export data to financial programs, and perform data / numerical analysis.

Any scanner these days have the capability to scan to PDF, but that is merely 30% of the total solution.

NR is the best at what it does so far, even though it has some key areas for improvement.

What are those?

BTW, I was thinking of getting two of these - one for myself and one for my wife. Is there any way of consolidating the databases if we're hooked up to two different laptops and I scan while I'm away and she scans at home while I'm away?

Unless you have need for the software to keep track of/categorize your receipts just buy yourself a Plustek OpticSlim M12 and use the build in scan functionality in Windows or your MacOS.

For me the software is a waste of money.

Purchased one from Costco last week and it's heading back tonight.

Slow to open and scan/process, scan quality is poor, created pdfs don't print out well, data recognition requires multiple corrections which end up taking more time than manual input and so on. :td:

Haven't even tried scanning business cards.

I'll stick with my flatbed Canon that scans to pdf quite well, and buy smth like CardScan for contacts.

One of the partners in my small firm saw one, fell in love with it and proceeded to order one for everyone in the company (about 250 people). Now we are required to use it to scan and file our expenses on a daily basis. For the accountants at HQ, I'm sure this is nice; for those of us traveling, it's been a pain on occasion. I have two laptops that I use; one belongs to my firm, the other to the client. The client PC is locked down so that I can't install any extra software on it, and to use their network, I have to use their PC. To use the NR software, which my company makes me use, I have to use their PC. So I usually have to travel with two laptops. Formerly, I could keep my receipts and mail them in at the end of the week; now, I run into absurd situations like having to take an entire extra laptop on a one-night trip for the purpose of scanning in one or two receipts. :mad:

^: Fits easily in my bag and allows easy scanning of receipts so I can keep closer track of my expenses.

:td:: Because it fits easily in my bag and allows easy scanning of receipts, I seldom have an evening when I can come back to the hotel, etc., and just crash without opening up the laptop.

But I get paid well to do this, so I guess I can't complain too much.

I'm with UALOneKPlus. I've been using NR for 2 years now, upgrading to version 3. The scanner is very versatile and, whilst there are some limitations with the software (handling european date formats for example) the scanning and processing is quick and pretty accurate.

The two real pluses for me are the searchable archive of receipts - find that proof of purchase from years ago - and the ability to export data as a QIF file for Quicken. I run all my accounts, taxes and expenses through Quicken and the ability to enter accurate data quickly saves hours of typing and many errors.

It's very portable too, I never travel without it and return home with all my expenses organized and categorized and ready to transfer to Quicken. I'm looking forward to the forthcoming Version 4, with an even better scanner.

Version 3 $69.99 +5 shipping at WOOT.COM today...

I got the Version 4 (NeatWorks 4.0) at CostCo yesterday. The scanner is new, looks like new physical design change or new scanner altogether.

I intend to crack open the software and try it out to see if it's any better.

Did some research into the upgrade and found some info here: http://neatco.com/Forum/forums/37/ShowForum.aspx

I'm shocked there's no other vendor that is trying to compete in this space. Organization and information storage is a huge headace for most people / businesses... This is a growing market that technology is truly a great answer for.

Available at Costco for $119
 

Since I find this device very useful....

You currently can pick it up at costco for $120 ($150 - $30 instant rebate) with the latest software. Scans buisness cards into Outlook. Scans receipts into QUicken and Excel.

Nice product

Small scanner with a reinforced travel case

It's on woot.com today for $69.

I bought one about a year ago, and it crashes my computer. I get a BSOD saying that USBSCAN.dll caused the problem.

Actually, it is on sellout.woot:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/#woot

I agree. Same goes for "Expensable". Neat Receipts and Expensable create usable records but have clunky, touchy interfaces. I too think the market for electronic expense tracking/files would be huge.

BUMP: any recent purchases or updates to the Mac version of Neat Reciepts?

Do they still exist? I use an expense program on my phone that takes pictures of the receipts.