The Role of Data Processing in Modern Business

Why the Computer is an Integral Part of Businesses

The quality of data is becoming a greater issue in modern business. Most data processing individuals have not received proper training on how to identify problems with data quality or how to improve data quality[1]. The International Chamber of Commerce has even identified the role of data processing in modern business by introducing in 2006 a proposal to the European Commission that would cover flows of information from data controllers to data processors in business. The thought process of this proposal, which grew from a joint venture by the International Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union, the Federation of European Direct Marketing, and the Japan Business Council in Europe, was that in the current, rapidly evolving business of data processing that more of a legal framework that addresses the realities of business and processing of data was needed[2].

Very few businesses these days in modern, industrialized society can survive without data processing individuals or data processing companies. A look into data processing companies shows a plethora of businesses whose sole function is to processes data for other companies. From rebate offers from retail chains to income tax form processing for state and government agencies, data processing has become a reality in modern business that cannot be ignored. A company must have a defined course of action when it comes to data entry and processing. Data processing is not confined to rebate forms, it runs the gamut of recording and summarizing financial transactions of a business or organization. Some or all of the operations can be performed at different locations with units connected by telecommunications links and in this way a business with a location in a high paying employment pool can send their data processing work to an area of the country or world where the employment pool will be less expensive to the businesses' bottom line.