Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning a document which utilizes scanning hardware and associated software to automate the entire scanning process. The software analyzes a host computer and automatically maps user interface buttons of a scanner with application programs installed on the host computer. The software also establishes appropriate pre-defined scan configurations for each application program mapped to the user-interface buttons. When one of the user-interface buttons is pressed, the scanning process is invoked to generate a scanned image of a document. The scanned image is automatically delivered to the application program mapped to the pressed button and is generated with an image type and resolution according to the pre-defined scan configuration established for the application program mapped to the pressed button.