Optical mark recognition (OMR), previously known as Mark Sense, is a flexible data collection technology ideally suited for collection of data without special equipment. While special OMR readers are required to read data on OMR forms, individuals filling out the information do not need anything more technical than a black pencil.

OMR uses specially-prepared forms, printed in light blue ink. OMR readers look for dark marks (typically circles or rectangles) in specific locations on a form. Each position on the form can be assigned a different meaning, depending on the need. OMR is typically read with specialized page readers (that may also read a bar code or other mark that uniquely identifies each iteration of a form) or conventional flatbed scanners with appropriate software on a PC.

OMR is typically used for:

• surveys,
• standardized tests,
• enrollment forms, and
• ballots

OMR Advantages:

• is relatively inexpensive to produce (in quantity),
• requires no complex technology for recording data,
• is accurate, and
• is disposable.

OMR Limitations:

• line of sight required,
• requires complete marks and complete erasures,
• may be tedious for entry of names and addresses,
• may be damaged by common contaminants,
• requires precise printing of forms, and
• capital investment in readers (high volume applications).

Intelligent Mark Recognition (IMR)

ICR is the next generation of OMR. More sophisticated software can accept "checkmarks," "X marks," or "tics" provided that they are sufficiently bold. Incompletely filled spaces can typically be differentiated from erasures.

Because ICR is used for entering form data, typically with an operator present, ambiguities can be flagged for operator intervention and correction.

IMR Advantages:

• is relatively inexpensive to produce (in quantity),
• requires no complex technology for recording data,
• is more tolerant of incompletely-filled spaces, • can be programmed to tolerate variations on mark used for filling in space,
• is accurate, and
• is disposable.