Automatic Data Capture

The process of collecting data through various electronic devices and storing, manipulation and retrieval through a computer system is called Automatic Data Capture. There are many different methods available to capture data. For product identification barcode technology is fairly mature and standardized. Simple line barcode to complex image barcodes are available to meet different security requirements. Barcode readers, scanners, printers and processing hardware with associated software are available off the shelf.

The security industry employs many methods for Automatic Data Capture. Smart cards for access control have long been used for identification. It involves numerical codes and digital signatures on magnetic strips to identify people. The obvious disadvantage in this kind of data capture is of identification theft. Anyone with physical access to the smart card can easily impersonate the original owner.

To obviate this shortcoming Biometric devices have been developed .This technology makes use of the fact that individual fingerprints, iris and other features of an individual are unique. It is not possible to duplicate the fingerprints of another person. Biometric devices are therefore considered to be foolproof. After 11/7 biometric devices are extensively used in Airports and other security areas.

In mobile field environment Automatic Data Capture technology has come as a boon. The major advantage of such devices is the reduction in human interface for collection and transmission of field data. Field engineers with handheld computers can directly send data to a central computer, reducing the requirement of visiting company offices often. Field engineers can new travel from one site to another directly which saves time and leads to better utilization of resources. Scheduling and pipelining of workforce becomes easier and faster.

Automatic Data Capture is now a part of standard equipment for collecting field data. More stringent service level agreements, scarcity of trained manpower and better efficiencies are factors which have led to the mushrooming of these devices.