Dictation Services

Tackle your workload by transcribing the best choices in dictation services
By Donn Saylor Dictation, the transcription of spoken text, is commonly used in a variety of businesses, from hospitals to law firms to consulting groups. It serves as a valuable record of what was said, as well as a blueprint for work that needs to be done.

There are many choices in dictation equipment and services. Audio dictation, digital dictation and call in dictation are a few examples of this ever-evolving industry. Since you have several options in this field, it's best to narrow it down to the best choices for your business.

1. Consider your workload. If your business is not dominated by dictation demands, you may want to do it yourself by purchasing a dictation system.

2. Many businesses outsource their dictation needs. If this is the right fit for you, know your tools and identify the dictation instruments you use. Examples include tapes, uploads and call-ins. This will assist you in finding the service that has the appropriate capabilities to do your dictation transcription.

3. Decide between a locally accessible or virtual dictation service. Services abound both online and on-site in most geographic areas. Virtual options are convenient, but you may want the reassurance of a physical office.

Find the best dictation equipment to handle the demands of your office

When choosing to handle your own dictation service, you have many choices in equipment, offered in a variety of price ranges. Many online providers make it easy to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of certain types of dictation tools.
Try:  At the Dictation Store, you can find a huge selection of products, from a simple dictation machine to a sophisticated voice recorder. Transcription Gear sells the basics along with an impressive menu of more technologically advanced choices. Check out its online demos to get a feel for some of its cutting-edge equipment.

Investigate virtual dictation services

In our plugged-in workforce, it's now easier than ever to get online and find a dictation service that meets all your business requirements. Many of these services utilize the full gamut of equipment and technique to best match the needs of your company.
Try:  With The 24 Hour Secretary, you can submit your dictation requests 24/7 via phone, digital file upload or the transfer of audio recordings. Provirtua, a virtual assistant service, also offers affordable and convenient dictation options. For those in the medical field, check out iSource, a virtual dictation service that specializes in medical dictation and transcription.

Look into dictation services in your community

There's a good chance a dictation service is located in your immediate area. This might be an ideal choice for smaller businesses wishing to support the local economy. It's also a viable option for businesses that handle particularly sensitive information and would like to hand deliver materials.
Try:  Mulberry Studio is a New England-based transcription company, though it has clients worldwide. It also doesn't charge extra for rush orders. West Michigan Transcription Services is another regional company that has worldwide accessibility, including drop-off and pick-up service.

• A majority of information relayed through dictation is considered highly confidential material. Make sure the dictation service you use has a confidentiality statement in the contract, or give them one of your own to sign. This is a smart safeguard to protect your clients.