Providing Data Capture Solutions

By Author: Salvatore Andrea
Total Articles: 6261
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The most important asset in any business is data. There can be different connotations of data with respect to its usage in computing, telecommunications or general science. Simply put, data is a collection of facts that can be used for analysis, reasoning or computation. It also forms the intellectual asset of an organization and, therefore, is important to store and protect data.

Manual Data Entry Services are used to digitize physical content because computers still do not have 100% capability to automate handwritten documents and forms. This is generally a more reliable service because it is provided by competent professionals but, certainly expensive. Electronic data capture is a cheaper alternative to manual data entry.

The source of electronic data capture can be traced back to the need for capturing error free information of patients in the 1970s. Prior to that, all data was captured in the hand written form. With the advent of electronic data capture solutions, organizations opted for the same in order to process information and increase output.

One of the ...
... oldest and a commonly seen data capture device is a barcode reader that is used at checkout points in stores and malls. A photoelectric scanner is used to read the barcodes characterized by sets of parallel lines. The scanners are automatic devices that capture the data available within a few inches.
Data capture solutions are undergoing constant improvement and with features such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR), Bar Code Recognition (BCR), Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) information is becoming available quicker than ever before. Not just that, these intelligent systems are also being employed to process and analyze data.

Another means of capturing data is by using the digital pen. This device functions almost like a ball point pen and works well for anybody who has to do a lot of form filling such as in the insurance industry and logistics business.

Manual data entry services and Data Capture Solutions - both have their own benefits and drawbacks. Service should be selected based on business requirements and budget approval.