This paper discusses the possible advantages of optical character recognition and matrix mark scanning for commercial organizations. Several available machines are mentioned and possible founts are considered in relation to the needs of Eastern Electricity. The problems of form layout, printing and paper quality are given attention, as well as the overall reject rates and the economics of O.C.R. The paper concludes with a review of actual developments and hoped for developments in optical scanning. This paper was first presented to the Glasgow Branch of the British Computer Society on 4th April, 1966.