azure document-intelligence or Form-Recognizer package

Question

Dear all,

I've just realized that for my existing system I am using form-recognizer package in Python.

However, azure-ai-documentintelligence seems to be the right approach for the future.

Do you know if there is any plan that the form-recognizer package is going to be deprecated later? Are there any great differences in Document Intelligence functionality that I might miss if I do stay with form-recognizer package?

Many thanks in advance for your quidance!

Answer 1

Hi Mariana Logvinenko,

The transition from the form-recognizer package to the azure-ai-document intelligence package reflects significant changes in Azure's approach to document analysis. Here’s a detailed overview of both services.

• The form-recognizer package is being phased out, with the latest versions of Azure services focusing on azure-ai-document intelligence. Specifically, Form Recognizer v2.0-preview has already been deprecated, and users are encouraged to upgrade to the latest General Availability (GA) version of Document Intelligence.
• While there is no explicit announcement regarding the complete deprecation of all Form Recognizer functionalities, the shift towards Document Intelligence indicates that future developments and support will primarily focus on this newer package. Users should consider migrating as new features and updates will likely be limited for the older service.
• The azure-ai-document intelligence package introduces several new capabilities not available in Form Recognizer:
• Improved machine learning models for analyzing text and structured data.
• More robust APIs designed for better performance and ease of use.
• New prebuilt models and enhanced customization options for document analysis.
• The SDK versions for Document Intelligence are aligned with newer API versions, ensuring access to the latest features:
  • For instance, SDK version 3.3.X supports API versions up to 2023-07-31, while older versions of Form Recognizer only support up to 2.12
  • Migration guides are available to help transition applications from older SDKs to the new Document Intelligence SDK
• Use The interface and user experience have been improved in Document Intelligence, making it easier for developers to integrate and use these services in their applications. This includes clearer documentation and more intuitive API calls.

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you any further queries.

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