The term, “Data Entry” is one which has proven to be broad, encompassing a variety of occupations such as, clerks, typists, coders, electronic data processors, word processors, as well as transcribers.
It involves making use of input devices, such as the keyboard, to input data into the computer system, which can be in form of alphabets, numerals or symbols. It can also be referred to as the process of entering information in electronic form, either online or inputting it on a database. This could be in form of questionnaires or surveys. It is pertinent that a data entry worker be nimble fingered and accomplished in the use of basic computer applications which include the likes of Microsoft Word, Excel and a host of others in that basic class of computer applications.
Regardless of the level of technological improvements in the world today, business organizations still greatly rely on various data entry systems, with accuracy being vital in these cases. Incorrect data can come from multiple sources and it is important to classify the data before any input operation. Without doubt, accuracy stands out as one of the most important aspects of data entry and maintaining the highest level of precision is of great importance, since the data is also used by the top management when making critical decisions that can greatly affect the organization. If proper care is not taken, then mistakes can have a huge impact on business decisions, no matter how large your team is. Each company must understand the importance of business data issues and hire efficient service providers so that data accuracy rates can become higher, while work is done quickly, with exceptional care.
Companies can have a wide range of data and while manipulate them, can be victims of inaccuracies and even discrepancies within their own process. Hiring a data processing service provider is the best option, since the data can be used to analyze, organize and even interpret the information to the best advantage of the company. For companies that plan to implement these data entry solutions, there are specific growth areas where there are positive changes, among them are: Productivity and business efficiency, customer satisfaction, diversification of business processes, among others.
Data entry services are greatly required by several businesses, regardless of the general economic climate at any point in time. This service is most useful to businesses that maintain sensitive and mission critical data files on their computer systems.
Statistics show that the direct retail sale of computer related services to the end users has hit the $500 billion dollar mark in several advanced climes, based on annual estimation. This is also expected to grow at a rate of 7% to 8% on an annual basis. Virtually all business in developed countries use some form of electronic technology and being imperative that these companies must remain at the highest point on the technology curve in order to retain their competitive edge in their respective industries, they turn to data entry as one of their solutions.
To be specific, the data entry industry generates over $4 billion per year in the U.S alone, while employing well over 35,000 people. This industry has experienced significant growth over the last decade as more people, as well as businesses, have integrated data storage based computers and networks into their businesses.
There are several industries that require data entry solution. Any company can outsource its requirement to increase the performance of core activities. Let’s use a university as an example; there are lots of admissions every year and much data is being collected during this period. It is not easy to manage each record as a paper document; therefore, data entry can help protect important information through the digitization of data.
Another industry that needs data entry services is the wastewater industry. The collection of data on water is an important part of the water and sewer industries. Tracking data on water has been essential to our health and research for many years, but today it has become even more important. With more people concentrating on green living and taking care of our water bodies, the data collected during the monitoring period is compiled and used to help find areas where work needs to be concentrated. Carrying out these important data collections on water and monitoring data from water helps to understand pollution, floods, spills and identify trends so that we know what to look for in the future.
Other industries include;
Real Estate: Registration of property documents, appraisal reports, real estate list building services, complete maintenance of real estate websites, posting of advertisements, CRM support,
Retail and e-commerce: invoice data entry, e-commerce product data entry, catalog data entry, e-commerce data processing
Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI): Check processing, reimbursement processing, registration of forms data
Media and publications: typing of manuscripts, video data entry, data collection, etc.
Medical or health industry: Data entry is necessary here for activities related to billing, digitizing patient health history and personal information, etc.