Omnipage 18 Professional Upgrade

Interface: The new interface presents with some cosmetic changes with little thought given to improved functionality and customization (i.e., in the context of calling this a version upgrade), the new submenu and option Windows are reminiscent of a Windows PE environment. Scanner Setup and Configuration: My Scanjet N6xx0 that worked properly under OmniPage 17 would no longer function using the same Windows 7 certified scanner driver; I was able to use an alternate driver to test out the software. Speed and Accuracy: Based on about an hour of testing on my system, I found no accuracy or speed increases between version 17 and 18 using Fax, printed and photocopied materials. Overall, I could not identify any speed and accuracy benefits of version 18 over version 17 based on my home office needs. Nuance Cloud Connector: Upon opening the Nuance Cloud Connector, I was immediately presented with an unprompted spamware pop-up offer to upgrade to the full version of Nuance Cloud Connector. Features and functionality of the included spamware version of the Nuance Cloud Connector are rudimentary at best and offer little benefits over user configured or open source/free software. The utility was easy to configure but failed to connect to my primary cloud service. Software Activation: Given the economy and cost of software, on-the-fly license management and the ability to transfer needed software between my two desktop computers and laptop is essential (i.e., as opposed to buying multiple copies of software). Nuance has again failed to include industry-standard on-the-fly license activation and deactivation, and/or an on-line license management equivalent. During installation and removal, the software continues to rely on a silent activation/deactivation scheme with absolutely no user prompting. Program Bugs and Technical Support: The software installed and activated properly; however, I was presented with the same activation menu each time I started the program. This long-standing cyclic activation bug is nothing new to Nuance products and it is regrettable that Nuance has not remedied this problem. After contacting technical support via the on-line support form regarding the cyclic activation bug, I received a scripted response that was nonsensical in the context of the question that I asked. After several attempts of explaining the problem to a telephone technical support rep, I was given the typical Nuance technical support instructions for removing and reinstalling the software, my activations were reset; I received no assurances that the problem will not happen again. I have requested a refund under the Nuance 30 day money back guarantee but I have not heard back from Nuance at the time of writing this review or two days. Overall Thoughts and Recommendations: Given that my assessment of Omnipage 18 was based on my individual needs and preferences, and made in comparison to OmniPage 17, other users may find some value in upgrading to or purchasing version 18. In terms of my personal opinions, I am very disappointed that Nuance continues to fail to provide users with an industry-standard activation scheme, and has equally failed to address long-standing bugs with their antiquated activation system. Relative to the new Nuance Cloud Connector, which was the principal reason I chose to purchase version 18, I was extremely disappointed with the functionality of the applet and equally offended with the unsolicited upgrade pop-up offer (i.e., SPAM), appeared from within the program; I would have been fine with an e-mail offer following registration. Relative to technical support, Nuance continues to offer the absolute worst support that I have experienced in the software industry. Overall, there is nothing about this software that I would recommend, and based on my experience, OmniPage 18 is a marked downgrade in comparison to an unimpressive but functional version 17. Note: This review is based solely on OmniPage 18 and not Amazon or the software vendor.

I've been using Omnipage Pro since version 15 and have always upgraded (when Nuance calls and nags me). This has worked out through version 17. Version 18 has turned out to be a downgrade, especially in it's ability to accurately scan documents. It's so bad an upgrade that I finally gave up and removed version 18 and have gone back to version 17. Save your money.