November 13, 2007
Get rid of outsourced data entry workers, use macros instead
There's a lot of talk about outsourcing lately. I think that's a great thing and I'm a big fan of it… as long as it makes sense.
What do I mean by that?
Well, while you can pay people to do just about anything, sometimes the cost just isn't necessary.
Let's take the task of data entry. The average data entry worker can be obtained for anywhere from $3.00 to $15 per hour. Most often, they will do repetitive data entry tasks that just aren't worth your time. Now, even though it's not worth your time to do it yourself, you still must train these folks to do what you want.
Instead of going through the motions to train a human who will inevitably create mistakes along to the way, teach a macro (either desktop or web based) to do those repetitive tasks.
I use 3 macro programs.
Internet Macros by Iopus - This is used for my link submissions (you name it, I pretty much have a macro for it), site building, and MANY other tasks. This takes some getting used to and in my opinion; you may want to simply outsource the task of macro creation. If you can conceive it, chances are it can be automated.
Desktop Macros - For those non web-based tasks, I like Desktop Macros. This is an extremely easy program to use. If memory serves me well, the learning curve was 30 seconds… it really is that user friendly. I use this for desktop based repetitive tasks. There are serious limitations to this, but its simplicity makes up for it. I use this for 'on-the-fly' tasks.
Automate - This is one powerful ass desktop macro tool. But with power comes complexity. I like this because I can schedule my automated tasks. One thing I like about this… it's sturdy and has yet to fail me. You cannot use this via remote desktop (if automating things on a remote Windows server) which kinda sucks. You may seriously consider having the same person creating your web based automated tasks create your Automate tasks as well. In my opinion, this system requires a full day of training.
Web Scraper + - While this isn't a macro system, it sure makes scraping data online a very easy task. Oftentimes, I will use this app to scrape needed data and one of the macro programs listed above to move that data to the system I need it in.
Technology is cool and knowledge is power. If you know how to use the right technology, you can save yourself a small fortune on outsourced teams of data entry people.
Enjoy,
Woody
Filed under General by Woody Maxim
Comments on Get rid of outsourced data entry workers, use macros instead »
I'm a big time fan of Iopus.
The cons:
* They haven't included simple conditional commands like "if…then" which makes it very hard to create a bit more sophisticated macro if you are not a programmer and can code in external languages they support.
* Sometimes it may take too much time to get the macro working. That's why I agree with "you may want to simply outsource the task of macro creation."
My question is - what's the best place to get Iopus macros outsourced price wise? I have asked Iopus team for quotes but they ask like $300 even for the simplest macros.
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Desktop Macros - do they support external data input from csv or xls files (like Iopus Macros do)? If not, which desktop macro program supports this in the level a non-programmer can do it? This is an EXTREMELY important feature…
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Here comes my ultimate question (because that's what I really need…and usually that's hard to find) - is there a macro solution that:
1) can be used via remote desktop on Windows server
2) Uses external data input (csv or xls files)
Deep
"Here comes my ultimate question (because that's what I really need…and usually that's hard to find) - is there a macro solution that:
1) can be used via remote desktop on Windows server
2) Uses external data input (csv or xls files)"
- Not that I'm aware of, but Desktop Macros can simply cut/paste from one source to another. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a simple one that works.
I have several remote desktops and this is what I do…
1. I download Open Office to the Windows server.
2. I open a spreadsheet and copy/paste my data source into the cells.
3. I install and open my desktop app.
4. I create a Desktop Maccro that copies and pastes a data set into the app.
Problems - Your remote connection has to remain open in order for the macro to work. As soon as you move to another task away from the remote session, your macro will die.
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As far as outsourcing, I hired a php programmer, gave him the apps and told him to learn Internet Macros and Automate. I gave him 1 week of PAID training time and then put him to work. I hired local for this.
Woody
Big thanks!
I will try this route.
"Problems - Your remote connection has to remain open in order for the macro to work."
If I installed the "Desktop Macro" on the remote Windows server as well and run it from there then wouldn't this solve this problem?
"I create a Desktop Macro that copies and pastes a data set into the app."
Can you instruct the Desktop Macro to copy variable from ROW1:CELL1 , then ROW1:CELL2, then ROW1:CELL3…then repeat this with ROW2 and so on?
I think that's all I need to know
Thanks again,
Dep
While is makes no sense to me at all, the second you move off of the remote screen, the macro dies. I don't understand why as it's running on a remote machine, but it does.
DM isn't smart enough for variables (unlike IOPUS). You have to just run through your task and record it. It then replays your action.
Again, not sophisticated, but works.
Woody
Btw, where I hired 1 PHP programmer for $18 per hour, I'm able to accomplish the tasks of 10 data entry people that would have each cost $10/hr.
This is an $82/hr savings…
Woody
Ouch…Desktop Macros don't have a macro editing function and copying/pasting 500 records from the spreadsheet is not exactly the way I imagined about recording a macro
Deep
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Beavis FTW!
Hello Woody!
Thanks for the great post.
I wonder, if you have some universal macros in stash (like iopus link submission macros), perhaps you could pack them up and sell? I'd be happy to buy a ready solution instead of doing everything from scratch.
P.S.
Sorry if this is a stupid question. I still don't understand very well how these macros works.
Thanks so much!