Automated Data Capture 101: How to Get Started for New or Established Companies
One thing that new and established companies often have in common is a lack of automated data capture systems.
New companies often start out without these systems in place and without realizing the benefits they’re missing. However, many established companies don’t have automated data capture in place either. They’re still stuck in the old way of doing things: capturing data on paper forms or in spreadsheets, and then manually entering or importing that data into their computing and accounting systems.
These are tried and true practices. Practices that everyone understands. Processes that employees are comfortable with. But in nearly all cases, these inefficient processes create unexpected consequences such as:
- Slow and error-prone manual data capture processes
- Inefficient entry or importing of data into other systems
- Lost or misplaced data or information
- Customer service delays and issues due to slow, inaccurate data processes
For companies who are comfortable in their foundational practices but understand the value of efficient, process oriented systems, there’s a much easier and more accurate way for companies and organizations to capture, process and report.
At Premier Electronics, we regularly help companies make the transition to barcoding and transform their manual processes and workflows into automatic and error-free data collection.
It all starts with understanding your current processes, identifying opportunities for automation and improvement, and designing the right system to do the work for you. This way, you can boost operational efficiency, eliminate the headaches of using the manual process, and get accurate data into your systems as quickly and easily as possible.
A typical solution will start with an automated data capture strategy consisting of barcode scanners, barcode label printers, and a tailored software solution. We begin with a holistic, no-obligation discovery process that prepares us to deliver a solution to replace your manual data processes with a robust, automatic data capture solution. For hardware, we leverage Zebra Technologies, the leader in date capture hardware products. Zebra has been the globally recognized leader in barcoding since 1969 and offers the best available barcoding hardware, at the best long-term cost of ownership.
Our solutions capture data reliably and seamlessly. We pride ourselves with offering industrial grade durability, while also provide the software tools to automatically validate scanned data, apply business rules for accuracy, and process and import that data for instant availability in your systems.
The Benefits of Barcoding and Automated Data Capture
Once you have a system designed and deployed, the benefits are immediate and unmistakable. Here are the key benefits you’ll recognize from day one:
Capture Business Data Automatically
You’ll eliminate paper documents and manual data capture processes and replace them with automated data capture.
Minimize Errors with Automatic Validation
Your system will apply automatic validation to reduce human error and check scanned data against your required business rules.
Import Data into Your Systems Effortlessly
Your solutions will automatically process and transmit scanned data into your systems.
Get Instant Reporting and Analysis
Real-time data is available and reportable from the moment it’s scanned, for immediate access and viewing by employees or customers.
Achieve Data-Driven Accountability
You can automatically add time stamps and user IDs to every transaction, so you can find patterns, track trends, and monitor employee and operational performance.
Improve Employee and Customer Satisfaction
Automation eliminates the frustration and fatigue of arduous record keeping and helps you deliver superior customer service with real-time access to accurate and reliable data on orders, inventory, and more.
Taking Your First Steps
If you’re tired of manual data capture processes and dealing with paper forms, spreadsheets, and error-prone processes, contact our barcoding and data capture experts at Premier Electronics to get started and request a free consultation and recommendation for your business.