If you're looking for a fast, reliable optical character recognition application that can convert a range of paper documents into editable and searchable text, Abbyy's $400 FineReader 8.0 Professional Edition won't let you down.
The shipping version of FineReader 8.0 Pro I tested converted a variety of scanned documents--including complex layouts with graphics--with high accuracy. In several tests it read both serif and sans serif fonts as small as 8 points, without error.
Like previous editions, FineReader 8.0 Pro is adept at retaining the layout and formatting of the original document.
Version 8.0 Pro also introduces several impressive new features. I used one of these, the Automation Manager and Automation Wizard, to set up a series of OCR steps that I could then activate repeatedly, with a single click, to process similar document batches. I applied the new 'Straighten text line' option to correct distorted text in a digital camera photo of a library reference volume, and I used the handy new Screenshot Reader utility to capture images and convert the text (such as error messages and other Windows dialog boxes) displayed within them into editable text.
At $400 this is not an inexpensive application, but most paper-pushing businesses will find that the productivity benefits justify the investment.
PCW Rating 
This production-oriented OCR tool is versatile, easy to use, and highly accurate.
Price when reviewed: $180
Current prices (if available)
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