Harnessing Azure AI for Real-World Applications

Harnessing Azure AI for Real-World Applications

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of Microsoft Document Intelligence Service
3. Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence in Business Processes
4. Using Form Recognizer API in Logic App Workflow
5. Creating an Instance of Document Intelligence Service
6. Setting Up the Logic App
7. Processing an Invoice with Document Intelligence Service
8. Parsing the Data from Document Intelligence Service
9. Uploading the Document to SharePoint Library
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the use of Microsoft Document Intelligence Service and how it can be integrated into software solutions for automating business processes. We will discuss the benefits of using artificial intelligence in business processes and demonstrate how the Form Recognizer API can be used in a Logic App workflow. We will also cover the process of creating an instance of the Document Intelligence Service and setting up the Logic App. Finally, we will walk through the step-by-step process of processing an invoice with the Document Intelligence Service, parsing the data, and uploading the document to a SharePoint library.

Overview of Microsoft Document Intelligence Service

Microsoft Document Intelligence Service is a powerful tool that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to process and analyze data. It provides a set of pre-built models and APIs that can be used to extract structured data from documents, such as invoices, receipts, forms, and contracts. The service uses advanced machine learning algorithms to automatically recognize and extract Relevant information from unstructured documents, significantly reducing the need for manual data entry and improving the efficiency of business processes.

Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence in Business Processes

The use of artificial intelligence in business processes offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it allows for the automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as data entry, document processing, and data analysis. This leads to improved efficiency and productivity, allowing employees to focus on more valuable and strategic tasks. Additionally, the use of AI can help reduce errors and inaccuracies that are commonly associated with manual data entry. AI algorithms are capable of understanding and interpreting complex data, leading to more accurate and reliable results. Furthermore, AI-powered automation can handle a large volume of data in a short amount of time, enabling organizations to process and analyze vast amounts of information quickly and effectively.

Using Form Recognizer API in Logic App Workflow

Form Recognizer API is a powerful tool that can be integrated into a Logic App workflow to automate the processing of invoices provided as PDF or image files. By using the API URL directly in the Logic App, You can leverage the capabilities of the Document Intelligence Service without relying on outdated connectors. This allows you to use the latest features and improvements provided by Microsoft and gives you more flexibility in choosing the desired version of the API.

Creating an Instance of Document Intelligence Service

To get started with the Document Intelligence Service, you need to Create an instance of the service in Azure. This can be done by creating a resource group and selecting the appropriate pricing tier. For development purposes, you can choose the free tier (F0), but keep in mind that you are limited to one instance on the free pricing tier per subscription. Once the instance is created, you will receive a key and an endpoint that can be used to access the service in your workflow.

Setting Up the Logic App

The Logic App is the workflow that will handle the processing of documents using the Document Intelligence Service. It starts with a trigger that is activated by an incoming email with attachments. The email and attachments are then processed in a loop, with each attachment being saved to a blob in the Azure Blob Storage. The URL to the saved file is then used in a call to the Document Intelligence Service API. The response from the service is obtained by repeatedly querying the result URL until the processing is complete. The result is then parsed and the extracted data is used to create a document in a SharePoint library.

Processing an Invoice with Document Intelligence Service

To demonstrate the processing of an invoice using the Document Intelligence Service, we will use a pre-built invoice model. This model is specifically trained to extract information from invoices, such as invoice number, date, customer details, and total amount. The invoice file is sent via email and picked up by the Logic App trigger. The attachment is then saved to the Azure Blob Storage, and the URL to the saved file is used in a request to the Document Intelligence Service. The service processes the document and returns the extracted data.

Parsing the Data from Document Intelligence Service

The data returned by the Document Intelligence Service is in JSON format and contains information about the extracted fields and their values. This data is then parsed and used to populate the attributes of the SharePoint document. The parsed data includes the invoice number, date, due date, customer details, and total amount. These attributes are stored in metadata columns in the SharePoint library, allowing for further automatic processing and analysis of the document.

Uploading the Document to SharePoint Library

Once the data is parsed, it is used to create a document in a SharePoint library. The document is given a name Based on the email attachment name, and the content of the attachment is uploaded to the library. The parsed data is then used to populate the metadata of the document, such as the invoice number, date, customer details, and total amount. This allows for easy search, filtering, and sorting of documents based on their attributes, improving the overall document management and processing capabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of Microsoft Document Intelligence Service into software solutions offers significant benefits in automating business processes. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, organizations can streamline data processing and analysis, reduce errors, and improve overall efficiency. The use of the Form Recognizer API in a Logic App workflow provides a flexible and scalable solution for processing documents, such as invoices, receipts, forms, and contracts. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, organizations can effectively utilize the capabilities of the Document Intelligence Service to optimize their business processes.

Highlights

• Microsoft Document Intelligence Service uses AI to process and analyze data.
• Using AI in business processes improves efficiency and reduces errors.
• Form Recognizer API can be integrated into a Logic App workflow for document processing.
• Creating an instance of Document Intelligence Service is simple and straightforward.
• The Logic App workflow involves email triggers, blob storage, and Document Intelligence Service API calls.
• Parsed data from Document Intelligence Service is used to create documents in a SharePoint library.
• Integration of Document Intelligence Service improves document management and processing capabilities.

FAQ

Q: Can I use my own document model with the Document Intelligence Service? A: Yes, you have the ability to train your own document model if your documents are different from those trained by Microsoft. This allows you to process specific documents that are unique to your business.

Q: Is the Document Intelligence Service capable of handling a large volume of documents? A: Yes, the Document Intelligence Service can handle a large volume of documents efficiently due to its advanced AI algorithms. It can process documents in parallel, allowing for high throughput and fast processing times.

Q: Can the Document Intelligence Service extract data from different types of documents? A: Yes, the Document Intelligence Service is designed to work with various types of documents, including invoices, receipts, forms, and contracts. It uses machine learning algorithms to recognize and extract structured data from unstructured documents.

Q: What are the pricing options for the Document Intelligence Service? A: The Document Intelligence Service offers a range of pricing options, including a free tier for development purposes. You can choose the pricing tier that best suits your needs based on the expected volume of documents and the level of service required.

Q: Can the Logic App workflow be customized to fit specific business requirements? A: Yes, the Logic App workflow can be customized to fit specific business requirements. You can add additional steps, implement business logic, and integrate with other services and systems as needed. The flexibility of the Logic App platform allows for easy customization and scalability.

References:

• Microsoft Document Intelligence Service
• Get Started with Document Intelligence