Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)
Business solutions & Services
What is Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)?
Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) is a technology that uses AI to extract unstructured and semi-structured data from documents, such as PDFs, emails, hand-written notes, and images—into usable, structured data.
While traditional OCR (Optical Character Recognition) simply “reads” text, IDP understands it. It uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning to identify what a document is (classification) and extract specific, relevant information regardless of the document’s layout.
Key Characteristics
Contextual
Understanding
even if they aren’t labeled clearly.
Format
Agnostic
It can process diverse formats including JPGs, TIFFs, PDFs, and even photos of crumpled receipts.
Continuous
Learning
correct an error (Human-in-the-loop), enabling the system to learn.
Integration
-Ready
(like JSON or CSV) that can be
fed into an RPA bot or ERP system.
Example Use Cases
Sales and Order Processing
The Task: Read inbound emails with PO’s and RFQ’s attachments sent from customers and prospects to create a quote or a sales order.
The IDP Action: Extract all required information from the inbound PO’s and RFQ’s. This includes PO numbers, line item detail, parts (pricing and quantities), need by dates, shipping & billing information and more in order to ultimately create a quote or a sales order.
Accounts Payable (AP) Automation
The Task: Managing thousands of invoices from different global vendors, each with a unique layout.
The IDP Action: IDP extracts line-item details, tax amounts, and currency types. It then validates this data against purchase orders in the system to ensure the company isn't being overcharged.
Cash Applications
The Task: Read all new payments received through all channels and formats and apply payments in ERP system.
The IDP Action: Extract all required information from remittances in all file formats, analyze and match payment information to open invoices. Flag exceptions for review providing context in order to speed up resolution. Post to ERP system.
IDP in the "Agentic" Era
IDP acts as the “Eyes” for AI Agents. While an Agent can plan a workflow, it relies on IDP to interpret the complex documents that trigger or inform those plans.
eAllianceAI builds Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) business solutions for each customer’s specific business requirements, analyzing the “As Is” business processes and collaboratively (with the customer) designing the “To Be” business process, using IDP.