Still have a stack of business cards to mine for contact information after that last trade show or reception? With the advent of smart phones and a variety of new technologies, the path of a client or prospect’s business card from your hand to your hard drive’s digital address book has been shortened considerably.

Quick response (QR) codes can be scanned with a Smartphone using applications such as CardMunch. Linkedin.com enables users to share contacts in person using Bluetooth, while sites like Hashable.com, Contxts.com and About.me allow users to create virtual business cards.

According to an article in the New York Times, the traditional business card still has a logistical advantage because not everyone has a smart phone or the same application for swapping information electronically and doing so can be awkward in a crowded room or in the middle of a conversation.

The best solution for now may be getting the most out of that paper card. So add a QR code or provide a Twitter handle for ease of reference.