Imprecise data entry has been the subject of massive losses for companies both new and old. This is what gave rise to the dawn of third-party data service providers we see today. Each and everyone promising freedom from the undesirable choir of offline and online data management. The trick here is opting for a firm that will back up on the promises they make.
An effective offshore company will give you quality work, on-time and at a much affordable price. Now, the question for every entrepreneur seeking good offshore service is ‘How do we find the perfect company to manage our data?’
To answer that question, below are the 7 tips that can make your outsourcing experience pleasant.
7 Tips for Effective Outsourcing
1. Determine Your Cost Benefit
Before you get all excited and start browsing for data entry companies, determine what it will cost you in-house. How much do you pay your staff for carrying out data entry tasks every day? How much work is delivered each day? Does the quality of work warrant the amount you pay in salaries?
There has been abundant research to suggest that in-house data entry can be extremely expensive for a business. And, the quality of work is usually subpar. Outsourcing, on the other hand, has shown to cut operation costs by a whopping 50%. You can now see that outsourcing packs more cost-benefit than its counterpart.
2. Security Concerns
With hacking a legitimate threat, the risk to your data is graver than you can imagine. Data in the wrong hands can spell unmitigated disaster for your business. It has literally resulted in the dissolution of companies. When outsourcing, look for companies that have well-defined security measures at a place. Secure VPN and SSL certificates are essential in today’s environment. Opt for companies that have these protocols in place.
3. Evaluate Your Needs
Before outsourcing, identify what exactly it is you need from the firms you want to partner with. Do you need their services for traditional data entry, or something more sophisticated like data capture, mining, cleansing or conversion?
Try to figure whether the company in question delivers on the service you seek. Do they have the technology you need, or whether they cater to businesses in your domain? These parameters will help you seek out a company that is the perfect match for your requirements.
4. Look for Customized Solutions
Now, depending on your needs try to find out the level of customization a company can offer. Each company comes from a different part of the industry and therefore has different needs. Choose a firm that can offer customized services on the basis of your requirements. Competitors will always go for companies that are flexible in their commitment to the varying needs of varying companies. If a firm does not offer the level of customized service that you are looking for then they are not the one for you.
5. Turnaround Time
The modern world moves at a lightning-fast pace. To match up to that pace you need companies that can execute tasks quick before the mutually agreed-upon deadline. This is only possible if the company you opt for is well endowed with skilled experts and modern advanced technology. Scrounge for online reviews that comment on the companies delivery speed. If the reviews are favorable and incline towards a fast turnaround time than they are the perfect outsourcing firm for you.
6. Ability to Offer Emergency Service
With heaps of data to manage, some need prioritizing and some don’t. Your competitor might choose an outsourcing firm that is skilled enough in prioritizing urgent data, and those are the companies you should be looking out for when outsourcing. Find companies that are willing to handle emergencies, because if they don’t then there is absolutely no point in hiring them. Always choose firms that have the penchant for allowing emergency work than the ones who don’t.
7. Work with a Reputable Company
As most outsourcing companies operate remotely, in a different continent, trust can be an issue. There are many companies that have absolutely no desire to aid you. They would rather exploit you for money and leave you hanging dry with a huge bill for subpar work.
Try to find a company that has the clout to back its reputation. Go for companies that are often cited to be the best in the industry. If they turn out to be expensive, take some time out for research and look for niche companies with good reviews and word of mouth online. Ask for a recommendation from your friends or colleagues who have experience dealing with offshore firms.
