Registering contestants, preparing confirmation letters, receipts and mailing labels, as well as tabulating scores can be extremely time-consuming. Purdue's computerized contest organizer and tabulation program saves time by allowing contestants' names and addresses, once entered, to be used to prepare registration forms and contest scorecards. Further, the computer program uses the information to prepare a final output with names and scores, eliminating the need to type a result sheet. The program also reduces repetitious activities. Since it stores and retrieves data, confirmation letters may be generated from registration information without retyping names and addresses.
Computerized tabulation is less likely to result in scoring errors.
When processing data by hand, errors may occur when transposing data from scorecards to a master score sheet and when adding scores. By using Purdue's computerized contest organizer and tabulation program, errors are less likely to occur. Further, the system won't tabulate final scores if data are missing, thereby giving verification that the data set is complete. Results are available more quickly when using a computerized versus manual tabulation program. The computer adds scores, ranks individuals and teams, breaks ties, and divides contestants by division and age faster than a group of individuals.