Corex’s CardScan has always been invaluable software, able to turn piles of business cards into useful data easily accessed via a searchable on-screen card file (or any of several popular contact managers). With CardScan Version 6.0.4 ($99 upgrade; $199 new), Corex addresses business cards’ inherent fallibility: they get old.

The application integrates your contact list with Corex’s CardScan.net, a free online database that lets you access your information from any Web-connected PC. Better yet, its AccuCard service regularly attempts to update that contact information, so your rec-ords are always current. I loaded the software update (free to owners of version 6.0) and set up the service. AccuCard sent out e-mail messages to my contacts requesting their latest information. A new column in the program displays the results, showing which entries are current, ready for an update, out of date, or status unknown.

The service sends out these requests every 90 days, and contacts can opt out of the updates at any time. About a third of my long list of business contacts replied; of those, only a few mentioned problems with the service and their PC or firewall.

Still, the improvements in the new version -— including some handy new tools for Outlook users -— make this already useful program even more so. It’s a solid update and well worth the price.

In brief: CardScan Software Version 6.0.4
Upgrade makes useful contact software more valuable with regular updates.
Price: $199 new, $99 upgrade for version 5.0 or earlier owners, free to those with version 6.0
Distributor: Corvette Technologies
Phone: (02) 9669 5000
URL: www.corvettetechnologies.com.au