Let’s face it—manual data entry is one of the least exciting parts of any CRM workflow. Whether you're managing leads, updating contact details, or logging client interactions, typing everything out by hand can quickly become tedious. And when you're at a busy event, trying to make the most of every conversation, that time spent entering data can come at the cost of valuable networking opportunities.

As someone who regularly attends business events, I know how important it is to collect as much information as possible—without getting bogged down by admin. That’s why I’ve come to rely on one of Zoho Bigin’s most underrated features: the in-built business card scanner.

This tool is a game changer. With just a quick scan, it captures the details from a contact’s business card and automatically populates the relevant fields in your Bigin contacts module. It’s fast, efficient, and incredibly useful when you’re collecting 10–20 cards in a single event. Instead of spending hours manually entering names, phone numbers, and email addresses, I can scan a card in seconds and move straight on to the next conversation.

Of course, no scanner is perfect. Occasionally, it might misread a detail—just like we might when typing something in a rush. But Zoho Bigin makes it easy to edit any field manually, so you’re always in control of your data. The time saved far outweighs the occasional correction.

What I love most is how this feature helps me stay present and engaged at events. I’m not distracted by admin tasks or worried about losing track of contacts. I can focus on building relationships, learning from others, and sharing what I do—all while knowing my CRM is keeping up behind the scenes.

If you’re using Zoho Bigin and haven’t tried the card scanner yet, I highly recommend giving it a go. It’s a simple tool, but it’s made a huge difference in how I manage contacts and maximise my time at events. Less typing, more talking—and that’s what networking should be all about.