The Future of Document Imaging in the Era of Electronic Documents

Document imaging and document analysis are technologies for the interpretation and manipulation of document images. It is commonly assumed that the increased use of electronic documents and data communications will obviate the need for document imaging and document analysis, as more and more documents are exchanged in formats like HTML, XML, PDF, and other well-defined, structured formats. This paper examines the question of how likely it is that paper will be replaced by electronic documents in the near future, what possibilities exist for paper and electronic documents to co-exist, and what role document imaging and document analysis will play as electronic communications and computers become ever more widespread and portable.