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Case study · Image & vision

Workshop handwriting becomes structured data

Job cards, inspection protocols and timesheets in workshops and service are often handwritten on paper. We digitise them with vision models and handwriting recognition, turning them into structured, postable ERP data.

The challenge

Paper works in the workshop, just not afterwards

In workshops and service, paper is often the most practical medium: fast, robust, and nobody has to take their gloves off. The problem starts afterwards, when handwritten job cards, defect lists and timesheets have to be retyped, assigned and billed in the office. That ties up office time, billing falls behind, and errors creep in along the way.

The solution keeps the paper in the workshop, and replaces the retyping: a photo or scan is enough, vision models with handwriting recognition read the card, structure the content and hand it directly to order, inventory and billing in the ERP.

  • Paper stays, retyping goes
  • Photo/scan instead of double entry
  • Straight into order, inventory & billing
Vision AI

How it works

From clipboard to ERP

Capture Photo via tablet/phone or batch scan, even skewed, creased, oil-stained.
Handwriting recognition Vision models read handwriting, shorthand and checkbox marks.
Structuring Line items, times, material and defects are mapped to fields.
Validation Checked against order and master data; uncertain items go to a review queue.
Confidence, not blind flight Every field carries a confidence, humans only check what's uncertain.
On-premise capable Runs on our own GPU servers in Germany, even without cloud connectivity.

Technology

The stack we used

Vision & HTR

  • Vision language models
  • OCR/HTR
  • Layout parsing
  • Checkbox detection

Quality

  • Confidence routing
  • Human review queue
  • Master-data matching

Integration & ops

  • ERP/Odoo
  • REST-API
  • GPU-Server (DE)
  • On-premise

FAQ

Frequently asked about this case study

How well does it work with bad handwriting?

Modern vision models read even difficult handwriting surprisingly well, but not perfectly. That's why every field carries a confidence: reliable values flow straight through, uncertain ones land in a fast review queue. Data quality stays high without checking everything.

Do our forms have to change?

No. We tune recognition to your existing cards and protocols. Small layout tweaks can improve rates further but aren't a prerequisite.

Where are the images processed?

On our own GPU servers in Germany or on-premise at your site, without US cloud.

Paper processes in your operation?

Send us sample documents, we'll show what's possible on your own material.