The Business Card Scanner helps you turn a paper business card into a Rithm client record in just a few steps. Instead of typing every detail by hand, you photograph the card (or, on the web, upload a photo), Rithm reads the contact information with AI, and you review and save what looks right.
What you can do with it
- Quickly create a new prospect from a card you just received
- Update an existing client when you get a new or corrected card
- Choose exactly which details to keep before anything is saved
- Keep a photo of the card attached to the client record for later reference
What gets read from the card
Rithm looks for common contact details such as:
- Name
- Organization (company or account)
- Job title
- Specialty
- Address
- Phone
- Website
- Extra notes (for example a fax number, second phone, LinkedIn link, or tagline)
Only details that appear on the card are suggested. You always review and confirm before saving.
Before you begin
- You need permission to use Advisor AI features. If you do not see the scanner options described below, ask your Rithm administrator to enable Advisor AI for your account.
- You need an internet connection so Rithm can process the image.
- On a phone or tablet, allow camera access when prompted so you can photograph the card.
- Use a clear, well-lit photo with the full card in the frame and as little glare as possible.
Choose your platform below for step-by-step instructions.
Where to find it (Web)
There is no separate “Scanner” page in the main menu. The Business Card Scanner opens from the Clients area when you are adding or updating a client.
Option 1 — Create a new client from a card
- Open Clients from the main navigation.
- Start adding a new client. From the Clients list, use the Add control (often shown with a plus icon). That opens the Add New Client screen.
- On the Add New Client header, select Business card scanner (business-card icon plus label).
Tip: On smaller browser windows, the label may hide and you may only see the business-card icon. Hover to confirm the tooltip says Business card scanner.
Option 2 — Update an existing client from a card
- Open Clients and select the client you want to update.
- On the client details page, open the More menu (⋯).
- Choose Update from business card.
Note: Update from business card is different from Add Photo in the same menu. Add Photo attaches a picture without reading the card. Update from business card reads the card and offers to update contact fields.
How to use it (Web)
Step 1: Open the scanner
Use either path above. You will land on a page titled Business card scanner.
Step 2: Capture or upload the card
You can use either method:
Use the camera
- If your browser asks for camera permission, allow it.
- Wait for the camera preview (you may briefly see Connecting to camera…).
- If more than one camera is available, use Select camera to choose the right one.
- Frame the business card so it fills most of the view and is easy to read.
- Select Capture photo.
Upload a photo you already have
- Select Select file (tooltip: Select photo from device).
- Choose an image from your computer or device (for example JPEG, PNG, GIF, or WebP).
Optional: crop or retake
- Use Crop, then Apply crop, if you want to tighten the frame around the card. Use Cancel if you change your mind.
- Use Retake or Retake photo if the first shot is blurry, dark, or cut off.
When you are happy with the image, select Use photo.
Step 3: Wait while Rithm scans the card
You will see Uploading image…, then Scanning business card…. This usually takes a few seconds. Keep the tab open until the review screen appears.
Step 4: Review the extracted details
The Review card panel appears with the details Rithm found.
For each field:
- A green checkmark means that field will be saved.
- Click the checkmark to turn it off if you do not want that value.
- Edit any text box if something is misspelled, incomplete, or wrong.
Fields you may see
| Field | Typical content |
|---|---|
| Name | Person’s name |
| Organization | Company or institution |
| Title | Job title (for example VP Sales) |
| Specialty | Specialty or department, when listed separately from title |
| Address | Street, city, state/region, postal code, country |
| Phone | Primary phone number |
| Email address | |
| Website | Company or personal web address |
| Note | Extra items such as fax, second phone, social links, or taglines |
Empty or unreadable items are usually omitted from the list.
Helpful on-screen messages
- All fields with checkmarks will be saved. — Use the checkmarks to control what is imported.
- Low confidence – please verify this value. — That field may be wrong; double-check it.
- This may not be a business card. Please review the fields carefully. — The image may not be a clear card; review everything before saving.
- No fields were detected on this card. — Try a clearer photo, better lighting, or a different angle.
Step 5: Save
- Confirm the checkmarks and edits.
- Select Save.
- Rithm creates a new client or updates the existing one, attaches the card photo to that client, and takes you to the client details page.
What happens when you save a new client
Checked details are written into the client record. Job title is combined with the person’s name when both are included (for example, “Jordan Lee (VP Sales)”). New clients are set up as a typical new prospect so you can start scheduling and following up right away.
Address alternatives
If the address is ambiguous, you may see Address Alternatives Found with Select an address to use: Choose the best match, then Use Selected Address, or Cancel to go back and edit.
Canceling or starting over
- On Review card, select Back to return to the camera/upload step and try again.
- Select the × Close control to leave the scanner and return to where you started (Add New Client or the client you were updating).
Tips for better scans (Web)
- Place the card on a flat, contrasting surface.
- Avoid shadows, glare, and fingers covering text.
- Make sure small print (email, phone, website) is readable on screen before you tap Use photo.
- Prefer a recent, high-quality photo if you upload a file instead of using the live camera.
- After saving, open the client and confirm phone, email, and address before you schedule visits or send messages.
Troubleshooting (Web)
| What you see | What to try |
|---|---|
| No Business card scanner button or Update from business card menu item | Confirm you can edit clients and that Advisor AI is enabled for your account. The scanner is hidden in read-only views. |
| Sorry. Looks like your device is not able to capture camera images. | Use Select file to upload a photo instead, or try another browser/device with a working camera. |
| Camera permission denied | Allow camera access for your Rithm site in the browser settings, then reload and try again. |
| Error scanning business card. Please try again. | Retake the photo with better lighting, or upload a clearer image. Check your internet connection. |
| Select at least one field to import. | Turn on at least one checkmark before saving. |
| Name, address or organization is required when creating a client record | Include at least a name, organization, or address (edit or check the appropriate fields). |
| Error attaching business card photo. | The client details may still have been saved. Open the client and use Add Photo if you still need the image on the record. |
| Scan seems stuck | Wait up to about half a minute. If nothing happens, refresh and try again with a smaller or clearer image. |
Where to find it (iOS)
On the Rithm iPhone app, the Business Card Scanner lives inside Add Client and Edit Client. There is no separate Scanner tab.
Option 1 — Create a new client from a card
- Open the Clients tab at the bottom of the app (people icon).
- Tap the + button in the top right to open Add Client.
- In the top toolbar, tap the business-card icon (a person on a rectangle). VoiceOver users will hear Scan business card.
Option 2 — Update an existing client from a card
- Open the Clients tab and select a client.
- Tap Edit to open Edit Client.
- Tap the same business-card icon (Scan business card) in the toolbar.
You can also reach Edit Client from a check-in flow when you edit client notes, then use the same scan icon.
How to use it (iOS)
Step 1: Open the scanner
From Add Client or Edit Client, tap the business-card icon. The full-screen camera opens with the title Business card scanner.
Camera permission
The first time, iOS may ask to allow camera access. Rithm shows a message explaining that the camera is used to scan business cards and add client information. Tap Allow so you can take the photo.
If the device has no camera, you will see Camera Unavailable with the message A camera is required to scan business cards.
Step 2: Photograph the card
- Hold the phone steady and fill the frame with the card.
- Use good lighting and avoid glare.
- Take the photo with the standard iOS camera shutter control.
- Or tap Cancel on the system camera to return to the Add/Edit Client form without scanning.
Important difference from the web: On iOS, scanning is camera only. You cannot pick an existing photo from your Photo Library for this feature.
Step 3: Wait while Rithm scans the card
After you take the photo, the camera closes and you will see Scanning business card… while the image is uploaded and processed. Keep the app open and stay connected to the internet.
Step 4: Review the extracted details
When scanning finishes, the Review Card screen appears.
If you are updating an existing client, you may also see a subtitle such as:
- Checked fields will be merged with Name
- Checked fields will be merged with [Name]
- Checked fields will be merged with [Organization]
That means only the fields you leave checked will change on that client. Unchecked fields keep the information already stored in Rithm.
For each field:
- A checkmark means that value will be saved into the client.
- Tap the checkmark to include or exclude a field.
- Edit any value that looks wrong before you save.
Fields you may see
| Field | Typical content |
|---|---|
| Name | Person’s name |
| Organization | Company or account |
| Title | Job title (combined into the Name when saved) |
| Specialty | Specialty or department |
| Address | Full mailing/visit address |
| Phone | Phone number |
| Email address | |
| Website | Web address |
| Notes | Extra details such as fax, second phone, social links, or taglines |
Only fields Rithm could read are shown. An empty Address row may appear when name or organization was found, to remind you that an address helps with scheduling visits (Provide an address to be able to schedule visits.).
Helpful on-screen messages
- All fields with checkmarks will be saved.
- Low confidence — please verify this value. — Double-check that field.
- This may not be a business card. Please review the fields carefully. — Review every field before saving.
Step 5: Save
- Confirm your edits and checkmarks.
- Tap Save.
- On success, Rithm creates or updates the client, attaches the card photo when at least one field was checked, and closes the Add/Edit Client screen so you return to your clients list (refreshed).
Title handling
If both Name and Title are checked, the title is added to the name (for example, “Alex Kim (Director)”). If only Title is provided, it can be used as the name. Title is not stored as a separate client field.
New client defaults
When you create someone new from a card, Rithm applies sensible prospect defaults (such as type Prospect and an early pipeline stage) so you can begin working the relationship right away.
Canceling or retaking
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| System camera Cancel | Closes the scanner; you stay on Add/Edit Client |
| Back on Review Card | Closes review and reopens the camera so you can retake |
| Cancel (×) on Review Card | Closes review only; nothing from the scan is saved; you stay on Add/Edit Client |
| Save success | Closes review and the Add/Edit Client form |
Tips for better scans (iOS)
- Steady the phone; wait a moment for focus before tapping the shutter.
- Shoot in bright, even light; tilt slightly if you see a reflection.
- Keep the entire card in the frame, including fine print.
- After saving, open the client and confirm phone, email, and address before calling or scheduling.
Troubleshooting (iOS)
| What you see | What to try |
|---|---|
| Camera Unavailable / A camera is required to scan business cards. | Use a device with a working camera, or use the Web UI if you need to upload an existing photo. |
| Camera permission denied | Open iOS Settings → Rithm, enable Camera, then try again. |
| Scan Error with a connection message | Restore Wi‑Fi or cellular data and retry. |
| Advisor AI permission required for business card scan | Ask your administrator to enable Advisor AI for your account. |
| Business card scan is temporarily unavailable. Please try again. | Wait a moment, confirm you are signed in, and try again. |
| Required Fields / Name or organization is required to save this client. | Check and fill at least Name or Organization, then save again. |
| Save Error / Could not save client information. | Check your connection and try again; if it continues, note the message and contact support. |
| Attachment Warning | The client was saved, but the card image could not be attached. You can add a photo later from the client record if needed. |
| Nothing useful extracted | Retake with better lighting and a tighter crop of the card; avoid blurry or partial shots. |
Web vs mobile — quick comparison
| Topic | Web UI | Mobile UI (iOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | Add New Client header, or client More → Update from business card | Business-card icon on Add Client / Edit Client |
| How you get the image | Live camera or Select file upload | Live camera only (no Photo Library picker) |
| Optional crop | Yes (Crop / Apply crop) | No separate crop step (frame carefully in camera) |
| Review screen title | Review card | Review Card |
| Extra notes field label | Note | Notes |
| Updating an existing client | Clear menu item: Update from business card | Open Edit, then scan; review may say checked fields will be merged |
| After a successful save | Opens that client’s details page | Closes Add/Edit and returns you to Clients |
Best practices for every salesperson
- Scan the card as soon as you receive it so details are not lost.
- Always review the Review screen—AI is fast, but you are responsible for accuracy.
- Uncheck anything that looks wrong rather than saving bad data.
- Prefer a real street address when you plan to schedule visits.
- After saving, take ten seconds to open the client and confirm phone and email before your next outreach.