How do you choose a data labeling provider in this fast growing market? Here are a few things to consider to help you make the an informed decision.
- Start with a list of data labeling providers
As a business, you should have your own list of data labeling providers, and you should be familiar with their data labelling tools. It may be as simple as identifying a few data labelling tools and familiarizing yourself with their data labeling tools. Now you have an idea of what type of labeling tool you are looking for, you will want to learn more about them, and how they work. By doing some research, you will be able to make an informed decision about which labeling provider best suits your needs. Learn how a data labeling company works If you decide to work with a data labeling company, you will want to know more about the type of work they do and how they operate. You will want to make sure that they are more than just a labeler. - Check for certification
Some data labeling providers have more than just one certification. Make sure that the company you select has at least one certification that matches your needs. Each certification has its own set of requirements, so the best way to get an idea of how well they comply is to ask a few questions. Is it worth it? Is the cost of implementing the needed standard high enough that it warrants going with a provider that doesn’t have an approved standard? Ideally, the answer is “yes,” but there is no such thing as free. If you compare what you’ll pay for data labeling from a vendor to what it will cost to do it yourself, it might make sense to hire them. - Look at the experience of the company
Let’s say your existing data labeling company has been operating for a decade and knows the industry. How many implementations did they do? How many data labels are they providing? How does it stack up against the competition? You want a provider with experience in handling complex datasets. It is highly unlikely that they have worked with any dataset you are unfamiliar with. The next thing to look at is the amount of labels they create. If they create 3,000 labels, that’s impressive but it’s possible that other providers might create 5,000 or 10,000. Choosing a data labeling company with a lower number might not be wise. Look at the type of datasets that they provide If your company sells product, do you want them to provide product and inventory data?Get references from previous customers
When we started our data labeling business, we did research into the vendors we were considering. One of the best ways to determine whether you’ll be happy with your vendor is to talk to your past clients. Do they feel they are getting what they paid for, and do they have any feedback you should take into consideration? What is your vendor’s current process? Even if they don’t use a full-service software provider, they’ll likely still have a similar workflow to many. If they can’t explain their process, or if they get confused about it, you should be wary. If they are able to walk you through it, you can get a clearer idea of how long the process might take and what your results might look like. What technical support is available? - Compare pricing
This is an area where you’ll want to look for a provider that offers a subscription package that suits your needs. Generally speaking, the more intensive the program is, the more likely you’ll be to need their help. Of course, this isn’t an all-or-nothing situation. A provider may also have very light programs that you can do at home. Test their service The information you need should be easily accessible, right? If the provider doesn’t have a way to easily look up your records, the chances are you won’t be getting what you need out of the deal. Ask the provider to show you their workflow and explain how you can easily make use of it. If the data is up to date, you shouldn’t be able to tell they are still doing manual input. - Determine if they offer software or manual labeling
Find out whether they have the right kind of technology for the project. This may include basic analytics for trend and performance analysis. I would personally recommend that you look for a provider that offers advanced analytics. Do they require you to fill in data to make it machine readable? I would assume that this is often a mandatory step to make data usable. If so, that is a good indicator that the vendor you are looking at has the right level of technology. This is an advanced question, and there is no single correct answer for this. Generally speaking, however, if the technology for making machine readable data does not already exist (i.e. you will have to build it yourself), it’s not worth the money you’re paying for the labeler. - Consider the turnaround time, quality, and cost of services
Do you need service within a matter of days? Can it take longer? Will the provider allow you to consult with them before submitting the data? Some labeling providers may charge a flat fee or a fixed monthly fee. They also may provide both the original data and the revised data, or just the revised data if that’s all the provider has. They might provide a free version of their software. Your provider should have a good turnaround time. They should allow you to consult with them if you’re not completely satisfied with the work. If you need the data to be modified and you’re not entirely satisfied with the first version, this can be time consuming. You may want to test the product again before you submit it. The provider should also provide you with a usable version of the product.
Conclusion
A complete and accurate data labeling strategy in is critical for any company to follow. Whether you’re aware of it or not, data labeling can have a tremendous impact on the success of your brand, customer base, and overall growth strategy. It’s important to have an experienced data labeling partner to ensure your branding strategies are aligned and your data is labeled appropriately.
At Enlabeler we an offer you an end-to-end service with guaranteed affordability, high quality services and fast turn around times. We specialise in a wide range of data labeling services including image and video annotation, text classification, transcription and translation. Visit our website at www.enlabeler.com or email us at info@enlabeler.com for more info.
