Advantages You Get from Manual Data Entry and Automation

Regardless of the industry that you currently work in today, you will come across how the term “data” is highly valued among companies as it helps create a solid foundation for the progress and growth of your business.

Data can create new ventures or resolve important social issues.

It is information and a compilation of different numbers, analyses, and insights that can come up with a conclusion.

But in computing and business, data refers to the information that is readable via a machine or a computing device rather than a manual gathering of data.

This could be as simple as the numbers in a spreadsheet or the charts that you look at when you are reporting the progress of your business.

Data is highly important as it provides the big picture of your business and can steer your business to the right direction.

Therefore, manual data entry and automation are highly important for any business and not just inputting but becoming accurate and precise in the entry of data into any system. 

Knowing the difference between manual vs automated data entry helps in figuring out what works best for your business.

Key Difference Between Manual Data Entry and Automated Data Entry

So what is the difference and which ones should you opt-in for?

While the methodology behind manual data entry and automation is somewhat similar, traditional methods of data entry are no longer as reliable as they should be as the margin of human error is high versus automated data entry in terms of processing larger volumes of data.

There is also a possibility of combining both methods, however, automated data entry is more cost-efficient in terms of the time consumed in actually doing the task and the investment that the business needs to make in order to get things running more efficiently.

• There is seamless data extraction from different sources with automated data capture compared to a manual approach where it usually derives and searches for the information to extract the data.
• While manual data entry vs. automated data entry can be less prone to cyber-attacks, the technology that automated data entry software nowadays includes cryptographic systems to ensure data protection.
• Automated data entry provides a faster turnaround time vs. manual data entry which has limitations in speed in terms of encoding.
• While automated data entry has a higher initial investment cost, it is more cost-efficient and has fewer maintenance fees compared to manual data entry which would usually mean investing in operators and monthly operating costs
• Through automated data entry, data is captured fast and more accurately whereas manual data entry would still need to go through multiple verification checks in order to pass

Knowing What Suits Your Business:
Manual vs Automated Data Entry

Data entry is a business process where dedicated personnel or team adds, verify, and edit data. Many companies transcribe notes from meetings or information from databases and sales figures into both manual data entry and automation

This is a repetitive task and is likely to be used multiple times in a transaction or business operation.

This can also be the first step for customers as they transact with your business, as this is a step wherein your customers provide their information to you which might convert into a sale.

In the US alone, data entry jobs are projected to have a growth rate of over 3% within a 10 years ending in 2026 showcasing that these tasks are sought after by many companies in one region alone.

Data entry jobs are flexible, as they can be made for people who may want to work with more flexibility. There are arrangements where it is a full-time or part-time position and even offshore options, making this position an opportunity for the business to reduce and improve its operational costs allocated towards this role.

There are a few types of data entry that are available for businesses. However, it is important to understand the benefits and roles of each type and what it can do for your business. Here are some that you can look into.

Manual Data Entry

Manual data entry pertains to the traditional practice of encoding data and documentation for safekeeping and duplication. While the task may seem simple and require little effort to implement, it is a repetitive task that can cause manual or human-made errors when there are data that may miss out on or not be seen properly.

The average typing speed of a manual data encoder can be up to 60 to 80 words per minute, and this can become a tedious task when a larger volume of data needs to be encoded in a short amount of time.

Many organizations still rely on this but encounter a lot of problems in the long run. Companies usually may also outsource those data entry specialists.

They rely on outsourcing as it provides them with the ability to complete these tasks without sacrificing the productivity of their internal workforce.

Despite the challenges that manual data entry poses, these companies still prefer to do this service for handwritten documents, medical entries, and more.

It is also perfect for small businesses who may not have huge budgets for software and additional hardware and the information from manual data entry vs. automated data entry is protected from cyber-attacks.

Automated Data Entry

Newer companies or those that have been reliant on technology for their business process would likely resolve to the use of automated data entry.

This is where data is churned through specialized software that can easily convert the information from the data entered into a viable resource for the company.

In a world or industry where data is king, most companies are now increasingly relying on automated data entry solutions, especially since all the information from these documents and encoded one by one.

Automated data entry presents a more viable way to increase a company’s productivity by being able to input as much data and information as possible.

Compared to manual data entry, automatic data entry relies on intelligent machine learning algorithms to read and process documents.

There is less likely to have human errors in these automated processes as these models use historical data to verify sources of information.

Managing Your Data During the Holiday Season

One of the key disadvantages that manual data encounters is the investment in multiple operators and operators are people who may likely look into taking holiday breaks.

This can become disruptive especially in terms of the e-commerce industry where your customers are likely to have more information to provide to you over this season.

The effect of a limited workforce on your business can become an opportunity lost and can also become detrimental to the business if not addressed right away.

Compared to manual data entry, automated data entry through an outsourced partner can provide the flexibility and agility to be able to become operational even during the holiday season.

Automating requests and job orders while the rest of your team is on vacation can still lead to potential customers and increase your transactions especially in this season where your customers are most likely in demand of your products and services.

Offshoring your automated data entry experts will give you and your business the assurance that your business is well taken care of and have also the ability to process larger volumes of data and information which can lead to better productivity and better business decisions.

Offshoring to data entry services will also give you the flexibility to be open almost 24/7 and at the same time.

Data will always be equal to knowledge.

The more data and information about your business that you have at your disposal, the better position you’ll be to make better decisions and be able to take advantage of new opportunities.

Good data that is provided to you fast can also give you the right justification for any business decisions that your business needs to make.

Without a good foundation of knowing your data and having your data at hand, you will be much more likely to make mistakes and reach conclusions that can be harmful to your business.

Access to reliable and fast data will improve the way your business operates and the way you work.

Once a business owner understands the importance of automated data entry and how it can help your business, you will be in a good position to measure a situation accordingly and come up with the right conclusion or solutions.

You can take the right and appropriate actions without putting any part of your business at risk.