Automated Data Capture

To avoid errors it is best to minimise how much humans are involved. There are various methods for collecting data electronically. If it is collected this way, it is far more accurate - machines do not really 'make mistakes' in the same way as a human does.



These are the different types of data collection:

* Bar codes

* Magnetic strips

* Smart card chips

* Optical mark recognition

* Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)



Different examples of these:



Bar Codes

In a warehouse things can be scanned by their barcodes to check how many came in, to keep up to date with the stock levels, to monitor this, and check whether things need to be reordered.



Magnetic Strips

Magnetic strips hold less data than a chip on a credit card, and can be more easily damaged. They are used on credit cards, train tickets and car park/plane tickets.



Smart Card Chips

These can be encrypted to a higher level than magnetic stripes, so protect data better. These are used on credit cards and have only been introduced recently. They are also used in cards used for TV digial viewing.



Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)

These can be used on multiple choice tests. A box is marked where each answer is given and a computer read this answers more quickly and accurately than a human.



Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

This is used on cheques. This can save information such as the cheque number, bank routing number, chequing account number and in some cases the amount of the cheque.