An Overview of Offline Data Entry

Right information at hand is crucial for operation and performance of any business. Offline data entry services ensures compilation of data collected and converted from various sources enabling organizations to monitor market status, know customer preferences, store business and customer information, analyze sales data, track results, and measure efficiency. Insurance companies, lawyers, hospitals, collection agencies, and other businesses that mostly depend on paper works employ offline data entry services to update their registries for marketing data, customer information, and sales.

Offline Data Entry: Meaning and History

Offline data entry refers to compilation of data as per client instructions. The name offline is attributed to non-use of internet services for data compilation process. Collection of client details and arranging them in a given format, sales data compilation, and data mining from surveys and forms are most common data entry jobs done offline. Nowadays these data entered offline are arranged using software and computers for their easy management.

Offline data entry, though got its name de guerre only after popularity of the Internet in the 1990s. As a distinct profession, it first emerged in the 1860s following commercial use of Christopher Sholes' QWERTY typewriter. Businesses employed separate typists, who were entrusted with the primary task of compiling sales and financial data. During the 1881 US census, a number of people were employed to compile and tally data collected through a punch card-like device. In 1891, the census authorities officially appointed offline data entry clerks to carry on tabulation works on a wide scale. The advent of computer and its commercialization in the 1960s saw the data entry industry reaching a new peak. Businesses resorted to large-scale data conversion and organization for their effective use and maintenance leading to rising demand for data entry specialization. Though online sources have become more prominent for data capturing and compilation, dominance of paper work in businesses and sales process continues to lead demand for offline data entry services.

Key Areas of Offline Data Entry

Professional offline data entry services cover compilation of textual, alphanumeric, and numeric data into the database using various types of software. The following are major components of data entry jobs done offline:

  • Entry of data form files, papers, yellow pages, documents
  • Data entry of sales, finance, accounting, and other business information provided
  • Compilation of personal information from forms, surveys, and responses by customers
  • Data compilation from books, manuscripts, magazines, and survey reports
  • Offline date entry from medical records
  • Insurance data entry listing customer details and claims
  • Entry of data on bills, receipts, payroll, and invoice for various businesses
  • Image conversion into digital format and compilation
  • OCR conversion of data and compilation

Advantage of Offline Data Entry

Qualified professionals offering offline data entry services can contribute to data utilization because of their apt attention to details, neat presentation, speed, and error-free compilation. The following points demonstrate key benefits of offline data entry services for an organization.

  • Multisource Data Extraction and Synchronization

    Offline data entry enables compilation of data from multiple sources and their synchronization for use in the database. Many public and private organizations use a combination of online and offline resources for their day-to-day operations. Forms are filled on paper, and field information is collected in the written format. There are numerous books, files, research papers, and manuscripts found in offices, stores, and libraries without their digital versions. Offline data entry is the most viable mode to collect and compile data and information from these sources.

  • Greater Accuracy

    Predominant involvement of men in offline data entry guarantees greater accuracy. Clients provide verified information suitable for their requirement, leaving no option for clerks to search and collect information. This allows them to become experts in entry services and fully concentrate on compilation and ensure better arrangement, accuracy, and quality.

  • Low Cost Data Conversion and Compilation

    As offline data entry requires compilation of data from various sources, outsourcing vendors offer combined data conversion and compilation package services. It enables clients to save almost half of their operational and overhead costs. Deployment of the latest OCR technology and competent personnel also assure quality of data entry services.

  • No Format Limitation

    Offline data entry allows compilation and synchronization of data and information from all sources. There is no limitation as clerks read and enter data from papers, CDs, DVDs, electronic gadgets, files, documents, bills, and books, among others. Even data collected online can be assigned to offline clerks for compilation with greater accuracy.

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