Acodis IDP Insights | Data Extraction | Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)

Why Manual Data Entry is Bad for Business

Written by Dream Haddad | 05.02.2021 08:20:06

Manual data entry can work... if you have the right partners and the right tools. But let's face it, it is not the most productive use of your time. Any organisation knows that accurate, timely, data, is a fundamental element of marketing, capital management, decision-making, and productivity. 

Why Manual Data Entry is Bad for Business:

  1. Human error leads to inaccurate information
  2. Expensive and time-consuming
  3. Creates disengaged employees
  4. Creates potential financial issues
  5. Could lead to potential compliance issues

While manual data gets the job done, it usually comes at a cost. When you switch from manual data entry to automatic data entry, you negate some potentially problematic business issues. Here are a few potential issues with manual data entry:

Here's a 2 Minute Video

3 Reasons Why Manual Data Entry Is Bad for Business Video

Human error leads to inaccurate information

One of the most significant downsides of manual data entry is human error. When you rely on a person to correctly transfer data from one place to another, mistakes are to be expected. Eye fatigue, inattentiveness, and hard-to-read information make it a recipe for errors to occur. 

These mistakes, for example, can lead to mislabeled packages, inaccurate order quantities, and even budget flaws. Furthermore, manual data entry requires time and money to train employees. An automated system, however, streamlines information into a single checkpoint, making it easier to catch, and fix, any errors. Ultimately, machine learning applies any changes and training immediately. 

Manual data entry is expensive and time-consuming

On the face of it, converting to automated data entry may seem more costly at first. However, once an automated system is implemented entirely, a company can save thousands of dollars. Typically, through this type of investment, we see a ROI (Return On Investment) within one year. With manual data entry taking a prolonged period of time, decision-makers often retrieve out-dated information, making it challenging to create cost-saving strategies and up-to-date marketing decisions. Automatic data entry programs show figures in real-time and make it easier to spot areas where a company can potentially save money.

Disengaged employees

Let's be honest, data entry is boring and tedious. Your employees have the potential to contribute more than just hours transferring data from one place to another. Disengaged employees can lead to low productivity and high turnover. Thus, by introducing an automated data entry system, you can liberate time for your employees for activities that bring more immediate returns.  

Potential financial issues

Processing large numbers of invoices and orders manually leads to lost or duplicated invoices, meaning a customer isn’t billed at all, or, they’re double billed. Moreover, invoices could take longer to reach your customers, which can potentially delay payments from reaching your books.

Potential compliance issues

While errors and delays are problematic within the workplace, these types of issues can lead to problems with industry compliance rules. If your company must provide accurate data regularly, manual data entry takes too long and leaves you vulnerable. An automated system ensures your company always has the information it needs in the proper, accurate, format. 

Manual data entry is inefficient and outdated. If you want to stay ahead in your industry, utilising an automated system is critical. You’ll save time and money while focusing on the essential parts of growing your business. 

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