New: OCR receipt scanning

We are excited to announce a new feature in Bijzo: automatic receipt scanning powered by OCR (Optical Character Recognition). This means you can now digitise your paper receipts and invoices in seconds, without typing a single number.

What is OCR scanning?

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to read text from images and documents. When you take a photo of a receipt or upload a PDF invoice, OCR analyses the image and extracts the relevant data automatically.

Modern OCR systems go beyond simple text recognition. They understand the structure of receipts and invoices, identifying fields like totals, dates, supplier names, and tax amounts even when layouts vary between different shops and service providers.

How Bijzo's AI reads receipts

Bijzo's OCR feature is specifically trained for Belgian receipts and invoices. When you upload a document, our AI engine processes it in seconds and extracts the key information you need for your bookkeeping:

• Total amount: the full amount including VAT
• Supplier name: the business or shop name on the receipt
• Date: the transaction date
• VAT rate and amount: the applicable VAT percentage (6%, 12%, or 21%) and the VAT amount

After extraction, Bijzo pre-fills the expense form for you. All you need to do is verify the data and confirm. The original image is stored alongside the expense entry, so you always have proof of purchase available.

Benefits of OCR scanning

Using OCR for your receipt management offers several advantages over manual entry:

• Saves time: scanning a receipt takes seconds instead of minutes of manual typing
• Reduces errors: automated extraction eliminates typos and miscalculations
• Works with photos and PDFs: snap a picture with your phone or upload a digital invoice
• Keeps records organised: every scanned document is stored digitally and linked to the corresponding expense
• Always audit-ready: original receipts are preserved as proof for tax authorities

How to use it

Getting started with OCR scanning in Bijzo is straightforward:

1. Open the Bijzo app and go to the Expenses section
2. Tap the scan button or choose to upload a file
3. Take a photo of your receipt or select a PDF from your device
4. Wait a few seconds for the AI to process the document
5. Review the extracted data, adjust if needed, and save the expense

The feature works on both mobile and desktop. For best results with photos, make sure the receipt is well-lit and the text is clearly visible. Crumpled or faded receipts may require manual corrections.