As an executive or entrepreneur on the go, you rely on your ability to process information to network and get logistics done. While you may wish that all of your industry peers would just convert to wireless acolytes, the fact of the matter is that many of your partners still pass out standard business cards. Fortunately, there are numerous stellar products on the market that can scan these cards for you and enter information into programs such as Lotus Notes, Outlook, and ACT.

Features to consider include USB interfaces, one-touch buttons, and film scanning possibilities. A top-tier scanner, such as the CardScan Executive 700C, can get an optical resolution of 600 pixels and suss out information on a wide variety of cards.

The Plustek OptiCard 820, on the other hand, can scan more than just industry cards. It can take photographs as large as 4 x 6 inches in dimension and marry well with data management software. The NewSoft Presto! BizCard Reader 5 is just a little over three ounces in weight. This is a great portable device for conferences, overseas business trips, and the like.

Some other top-end devices feature ethernet interfaces, automatic document feeders, and specialized reflective scanning options. That said, the technology is still in its infancy. It may be a good idea to hold on to business cards for personal reminders or to double-check the automatic work of your scanner until you get a handle on its data management capabilities.