Data Processing
Data processing is any of a number of computer processes that convert raw data into information or knowledge.
Data processing systems are frequently referred to as information processing because the data they handle emphasizes their practicality. Whichever term is applied, these systems manipulate raw data into useable information and require raw data to convert into information.
How data processing works
Data processing uses numbers or characters which represent measurements obtained from observable phenomena. The measured information is derived by an algorithm and/or deduced logically or statistically calculated from various data. This information is then defined as a meaningful answer or stimulus than can cascade into further queries. As an example, a string of characters from a sentence in English is converted or encoded from a keyboard’s key entries as hardware-oriented codes into ASCII codes, which permit easy computer processing. Nearly all naturally occurring processes can be looked at as examples of data processing systems where observable information in the form of pressure, light or other things is converted into electrical impulses that can be identified and manipulated by a computer program.
Important functions are handles through data processing
Data processing functions include summarizing information into intelligent formats, generating summary statistics, creating illustrated tables, generating percentile rankings and frequency distributions, performing rank order analysis on data, and performing data extraction from unstructured content to build databases or spreadsheets. In the end, all data processing operations come down to providing people with important information they need for business decision-making from large amounts of raw data.
Much data processing is now being outsourced
In order to successfully compete in today’s fast-moving, multi-cultural worldwide business environment, companies must make every effort to operate with as low a fixed overhead as they can. Many now choose to outsource their data processing requirements to outside organizations that specialize in just this particular function. The exception, where there is one, lies with very-large corporations who still maintain in-house data processing capabilities because they have very-large computer systems that can easily handle such functions. In the case of government entities and scientific research facilities, this is also due to the highly proprietary nature of much of the data that they process. In addition, there is a substantial amount of new technology that makes data processing functions highly automated that has costs out of the range of individuals and smaller businesses.
What do data processing outsource providers do?
Outsource providers of data processing services provide a broad range of data services including data entry, conversion and analysis. Business organizations with large amounts of printed data have been turning to processing services to enter their data into a computer database either manually or with optical scanners that speed-up the entry process. Clients are also asking outsource providers to convert old files or to convert multiple databases into a single new file with a more accessible format. These services are also producing reports that summarize data for easier analysis by their clients. While some clients subscribe to outsource services, most ask for projects that are defined.
