Question

Discuss the contribution that Source Data Automation (SDA) as an input tool has had, and continue to have, on the business community. In your discussion summary you MUST include the following:

i. A brief definition of SDA.

ii. Three (3) examples of SDA technologies.

iii. Select one (1) example mentioned above in (ii)., and state briefly and clearly how it is used or can be employed in a practical business scenario.

iv. One benefit and one disadvantage of SDA based on the scenario mentioned above in (iii).

Answer 1

Source Data Automation:

It is collection of data in the digital from the point of origin through automation.It eliminates much of this duplicated effort, delay extra handling, and potential for error by initially collecting data in digital form.The people who collect ready to process transaction data are those who know must about the events that the data represent.There
are various examples like barcode scanners,Magnetic ink character recognition(MICR codes), touch screens and voice regonition system.Barcode scanners begin by illuminating the code with red light. The sensor of the barcode scanner detects the reflected light from the illumination system and generates an analog signal with varying voltage that represent the intensity (or lack of intensity) of the reflection. The converter changes the analog signal to a digital signal which is fed to the decoder. The decoder interprets the digital signal, does that math required to confirm and validate that the barcode is decipherable, converts it into ASCII text, formats the text and sends it to the computer the scanner is attached to.

One advantage is it is cost effective and accurate, the disadvantage depends on the situation where we are not able to use these devices as they may damage the source
of information , secondly if source itself is not ver clear or errors, these devices
won't be able to capture which may be very much visible with naked eyes.