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Welcome to RateScan

RateScan is an intelligent document processing platform designed specifically for the logistics and transportation industry. Transform your rate confirmation documents into structured, searchable data in seconds using advanced AI-powered extraction.

Whether you're processing invoices, rate confirmations, or shipping documents, RateScan automates the tedious work of manual data entry, reduces errors, and helps your team work more efficiently.

What RateScan Does#

RateScan uses advanced optical character recognition (OCR) and natural language processing (NLP) to automatically extract critical information from your rate confirmation documents. Here's what you can accomplish:

Core Capabilities: RateScan transforms unstructured documents into structured, actionable data that integrates seamlessly with your existing workflows.

Document Processing

  • Upload PDFs, images (JPG, PNG), or scanned documents from your desktop
  • Mobile Capture - Scan documents directly from your phone and sync to desktop instantly
  • Batch Processing - Handle multiple documents at once with intelligent page merging
  • Format Support - Works with various document layouts and formats

Intelligent Data Extraction

  • Shipper & Consignee Information - Complete addresses with company names
  • Load Details - Load numbers, truck numbers, reference numbers
  • Financial Data - Rates, amounts, totals, and payment terms
  • Shipping Information - Weight, quantity, dimensions, and item descriptions
  • Dates & Times - Pickup dates, delivery dates, appointment times
  • Accessorials - Additional charges, special instructions, and notes

Review & Export

  • Interactive Editing - Review and correct extracted data with an intuitive interface
  • Search & Filter - Quickly find documents by load number, shipper, consignee, or date
  • Multiple Export Formats - Generate Standard Invoices, Detailed Rate Cons, or Compact Invoices
  • FileMaker Integration - Export tab-separated data ready for AutoHotKey macros

Quick Start Guide#

Get up and running with RateScan in just a few minutes. Follow these steps to process your first document:

Step 1: Access the Application

  1. Sign in to your RateScan account (or create one if you're new)
  2. Navigate to the Application section from the main menu
  3. You'll see the upload interface and document viewer

Step 2: Upload Your Document

You have two options for uploading documents:

Desktop Upload: Drag and drop PDF or image files directly into the upload area, or click to browse and select files from your computer. Supports multiple files at once.
Mobile Upload: Open RateScan on your mobile device, scan documents with your camera, or select from your photo library. Documents sync automatically to your desktop workspace.

Step 3: Review Extracted Data

  1. Wait a few seconds for RateScan to process your document (usually 5-15 seconds)
  2. Review the automatically extracted fields in the data table
  3. Click on any field to edit if corrections are needed
  4. Verify critical information like addresses, amounts, and load numbers

Step 4: Export Your Document

  1. Once satisfied with the extracted data, click the Export button
  2. Choose your preferred format:
    • Standard Invoice - Professional invoice format
    • Detailed Rate Con - Comprehensive rate confirmation details
    • Compact Invoice - Condensed format for quick reference
  3. Download the PDF or copy data for FileMaker integration
RateScan Application Interface
The RateScan application interface showing document upload, extraction, and review capabilities.

How RateScan Works#

RateScan uses a sophisticated AI-powered pipeline to extract structured data from unstructured documents. Here's what happens behind the scenes:

Document Processing Pipeline

  1. Document Ingestion - Your uploaded file is received and validated
  2. Image Preprocessing - Images are optimized, rotated, and enhanced for better OCR accuracy
  3. OCR Analysis - Advanced optical character recognition extracts all text from the document
  4. AI Extraction - Machine learning models identify and extract key fields based on document structure
  5. Data Validation - Extracted data is validated and structured into consistent formats
  6. Presentation - Results are displayed in an editable table for your review

What Gets Extracted

RateScan intelligently identifies and extracts the following information:

  • Company Information - Company headers, logos, and branding (when present)
  • Load Identifiers - Load numbers, truck numbers, reference numbers, PO numbers
  • Addresses - Complete shipper and consignee addresses with:
    • Company names
    • Street addresses
    • City, state, and ZIP codes
    • Contact information
  • Load Items - Detailed line items including:
    • Purchase order numbers
    • Item descriptions
    • Quantities and weights
    • Destinations
  • Financial Data - Rates, amounts, totals, and payment terms
  • Dates & Times - Pickup dates, delivery dates, appointment windows
  • Totals - Total pickup weight, highest amount, and summary totals
Accuracy: RateScan's extraction accuracy improves with clear, well-lit documents. For best results, ensure documents are flat, well-lit, and free of shadows or skew.

Desktop vs Mobile Workflows#

Desktop Upload

Perfect for processing existing digital documents or scanned files:

  1. Navigate to ApplicationUpload
  2. Drag and drop files or use the file picker
  3. Supported formats: PDF, JPG, PNG
  4. Multiple pages are handled automatically with intelligent merging
  5. Batch upload multiple documents at once

Mobile Capture

Ideal for capturing documents on-the-go:

  1. Open RateScan on your mobile device
  2. Navigate to the Mobile section
  3. Connect to your desktop workspace using the QR code pairing
  4. Take photos with your camera or import from your photo library
  5. Images are automatically optimized and sent to your desktop
  6. Documents appear in your desktop workspace instantly
Mobile Tips: For best results on mobile, ensure good lighting, keep the document flat, and fill the frame. Avoid shadows and skewed angles for optimal OCR accuracy.

Reviewing and Editing Extracted Data#

Review Interface

The Application view provides a comprehensive interface for reviewing and editing extracted data:

  • Data Table - All extracted fields displayed in an organized, editable table
  • Document Viewer - View the original document alongside extracted data
  • Search & Filter - Quickly locate documents by:
    • Load number
    • Shipper or consignee name
    • Date ranges
    • Amount ranges
    • Any extracted field
  • Inline Editing - Click any field to edit directly
  • Auto-save - Changes are saved automatically as you edit

Best Practices for Review

  • Always verify critical fields like addresses, amounts, and load numbers
  • Check for common OCR errors (e.g., "0" vs "O", "1" vs "I")
  • Verify date formats are correct
  • Ensure addresses are complete and properly formatted
  • Review totals and calculations for accuracy

Export Options#

RateScan offers multiple export formats to suit different needs:

PDF Exports

  • Standard Invoice - Professional invoice format suitable for billing and record-keeping
  • Detailed Rate Con - Comprehensive rate confirmation with all extracted details
  • Compact Invoice - Condensed format for quick reference and filing

Data Exports

  • Tab-Separated Values - Ready for FileMaker integration via AutoHotKey macros
  • Custom Field Ordering - Arrange fields to match your FileMaker layout
  • Batch Export - Export multiple documents at once
FileMaker Integration: RateScan includes support for AutoHotKey macros that can automatically paste extracted data into FileMaker databases. See the integration documentation for setup instructions.

Troubleshooting#

Common Issues and Solutions

No Data Extracted

  • Check document quality - Ensure the file is clear, well-lit, and free of shadows
  • Try higher resolution - Higher resolution images improve OCR accuracy
  • Check file format - Ensure you're using supported formats (PDF, JPG, PNG)
  • Verify document orientation - Documents should be right-side up and not skewed

Incorrect Field Extraction

  • Edit directly - Click any field in the Application view to edit it
  • Check original document - Compare extracted data with the original document
  • Re-upload if needed - Sometimes re-processing with a clearer image helps

Mobile Camera Issues

  • Check permissions - Ensure camera permissions are granted in your browser
  • Use HTTPS - Camera access requires a secure connection
  • Try photo library - If camera doesn't work, import from your photo library instead
  • Check network - Ensure you're connected to the same network as your desktop

Export Issues

  • Verify data completeness - Ensure all required fields are filled before exporting
  • Check browser settings - Ensure pop-ups aren't blocked for downloads
  • Try different format - If one export format fails, try another

Getting Help

If you encounter issues not covered here, check the detailed documentation sections below or contact your company administrator. For technical support, reach out through your company's designated security contact.

Next Steps#

Now that you understand the basics, dive deeper into specific topics:

Pro Tip: Bookmark this documentation for quick reference. The search function in the top navigation helps you find specific topics quickly.