Data management firm DionData Solutions uses home-based independent contractors to perform data entry from home.
The company also uses in-house staff and promises a 24-hour,
7-days-a-week production environment to efficiently process data for
clients in any time zone.
Data entry typically involves transferring information from one source to another. For example, a client may have paper records containing information they would like to be entered into an online database. Information might already be in digital format, but the key data needs to be entered into the proper fields in a separate program.
Data entry typically involves transferring information from one source to another. For example, a client may have paper records containing information they would like to be entered into an online database. Information might already be in digital format, but the key data needs to be entered into the proper fields in a separate program.
Work-at-Home Opportunities
Independent contractors with DionData enter data from images of
documents, often applications or other handwritten forms. The work is
compensated on a per-piece basis. In addition to using scanned images, DionData Solutions needs contractors to provide accurate data entry from:
- Hard copies
- Handwritten originals
- Typed copies
- Online sources
The company promises clients a 98.5 percent or better accuracy rate
for data that is not considered highly sensitive by the client and a
99.995 percent accuracy rate for extremely critical data, which is keyed
in twice, each time by a different individual. The second operator does
not see the data entered by the first operator. The system stops on
keystroke mismatches, prompting corrections.
Work-at-home contractors typically key data for:
- Medical claims
- Catalogs
- Surveys
- Inventories
- Warranty cards
- Product registration cards
- Subscription fulfillment
- Mailing lists
Qualifications and Requirements
DionData requires its independent contractors to be able to type 60
words per minute accurately, in addition to having basic computer
skills, such as sending and receiving emails with attachments, using the
internet, and uploading and downloading files.
Contractors are expected to have excellent communication skills and
to be able to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously.
They also are expected to provide and maintain their own desktop
computers—dual monitors are considered a plus—and high-speed internet
connections. DSL or cable is preferred.
Operators also must be able to prove they are legally able to work in the United States.
Applying to DionData Solutions
Even when DionData's website
says it is accepting applications, that doesn't necessarily mean the
company is hiring. They are constantly looking for qualified candidates,
though, and keeps a list of possible contractors and hires as needed.
Applications are accepted by email only. You must download a Word
document, fill it out and then return it by email. It is a fairly
standard job application, asking about your skills, education, and
references. It asks for your availability in days of the week, about
days you are not available, and your preferred times of day to work.
You are asked about the type of computer you own, its operating system and about any other relevant office equipment.
Although DionData says it can't respond to all applicants due to the
high volume of applications, the company encourages applicants to
resubmit after 90 days.
Pay and Benefits
All data entry agents are hired as independent contractors, which means there are no benefits and no guarantee of a minimum wage.
Home data entry jobs often pay less than the minimum wage, especially
at the beginning before the data entry worker has developed sufficient
familiarity with the process to work quickly. DionData Solutions pays
its data entry operators on a per-piece basis, which is typical.
Data entry jobs in brick-and-mortar office settings pay an average of about $15 per hour, as of 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The per-piece pay system for work-at-home jobs makes it difficult to
measure exact pay rates, but it's rare for anyone to come close to that
$15 per hour mark. Those capable of working fast and very efficiently
are most capable of earning decent money.
Other Opportunities
DionData is not the only company offering work-at-home data entry
jobs. Like most work-at-home jobs, though, there are a lot of scams on
the internet, so it's important to be sure any companies you do work for
are legitimate and do pay you for your work.
These are a few legitimate companies that offer work-at-home data-entry positions:
- Great American Opportunities: This is not exactly what people might think of when they think of data entry, but they do offer the work. This is a company that contracts with schools and other organizations to run fundraising campaigns. The data entry jobs involve keying in information from order forms. According to an online review of the position, efficient workers can expect to earn about $9 per hour doing this. But, again, this can vary greatly depending on how fast the work can be completed.
- Xerox: The company occasionally offers full employment that includes the opportunity to work from home. There are not an abundance of such positions available, but when they are available, they typically pay a little more than $10 per hour, according to Real Ways to Earn Money Online.
- Amazon Mechanical Turk: This is Amazon's foray into online freelancing, and it is not specific to data entry, but there are occasional jobs available that are related to data entry. On this site, businesses post "tasks" that they need to be completed, and workers can bid on those tasks.