ASR for tiny MT co-op? - Bilboa
Posted: Jan 12, 2013
Hi - My employer is about to close our dept and outsource to M*M. Some of us are talking about sharing a phone-in dictation system and seeing if we could pull in at least some work on our own.
I'm not sure ASR is worth the cost (I only gained maybe 12% speed-wise), but some participants want it.
Is there even such a thing as ASR software to run with a small (probably just 2-line, certainly no more than 4) system? Does Dragon even DO "back-end" ASR, or is that something one HAS to contract with a company like eScription or (shudder) M*Modal for? Feeling kind of clueless here!
Thanks for any light you can shed!
Dictation system with back-end-speech - me
[ In Reply To ..]
There is the Winscribe system, which has that capability, although it is quite expensive, costing about 2-3 times of the system I am currently using. I make more than average due to my account setups, etc., and several clients already and still cannot obtain my ROI on this, so unless I win the lottery...and can afford it just for my comfort, I am out of luck.
Good luck! Sorry you were bought out by MM.
Thank you! How expensive... - Bilboa
[ In Reply To ..]
...is "quite expensive"? I did some Googling around on Winscribe, and of course I found their web site, but nowhere could I find anything even faintly resembling a price.
THANKS for the lead!
Winscribe - me
[ In Reply To ..]
Contact ECS (Executive Communications Systems) out of Ventura, CA. The last time I checked it was about $5000 for the base system. I think (?) they charge extra for BES function. You also have to add in the yearly service contract (mine is $200 for another system), phone lines, etc., and plan on replacing it (or portions) every 2 years, which is about how long my systems last. They do not sell the computer component with the dictation systems anymore, so you will have to load it onto your own computer and not just some cheap one, or you will have all kinds of issues. You will have to replace your computers as you go also. It can add up.... You will need enough work being called in on all your lines for a return of investment.
I had a VDI system for my second dictation system and loved it, also about $5000. However, they quit manufacturing the specialized sound card for it and promised me they would hold one for me but did not, so I had to purchase an entirely new system.
I do not recommend using VoIP lines but regular land lines for sound quality. The VOiP is horrible sounding.
Good luck!
Winscribe - Bilboa
[ In Reply To ..]
Wow -- $5K -- yes, that IS just a leeeeetle out of our reach! Thanks for the info!!!
You are welcome. Another solution is - me
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Yes, and considering you have to replace these every few years.... it adds up.
If you need a dictation system, I now use DigiTel. It is actually a dictation system with 4 components, FTP, DigiScribe player, Report Genie (invoicing), and the DigiTel dictation system. A 4-port system is less than $2000, but you load it on your own computer. I had to install a SoundBlaster external card with Media Toolbox 6 to clean up the sound, as I am hearing impaired.
Most of my work is templated, so I have not checked in too much for speech recognition, although when I get more money I will, as my hands are injured. If you find something relatively low-cost, please post the info for me.
Good luck!!