Mobile dictation has been a rapidly growing space over the last couple of years. The ability to dictate at court, on hospital visits or just from home without the hassle of attaching devices to computers and installing expensive additional software just get your audio to your typist all while using a device (smartphone) then generally never leaves your side 24×7 then you can see the appeal of a dictation app.
We have covered this before in previous blog posts, there are plenty of apps free or paid in the Apple App Store or Google Play that just record voice and send. If you are serious about dictation, if you have existing transcription typing software and pedal or hand held dictation devices in your practice then integrating with these has to be high on your priority list. Enter the two key players for digital dictation in Australia (and pretty much around the world) Olympus and Philips.
Both have a smartphone dictation app, both will record audio that can be played on each others transcription software (Olympus ODMS or Philips SpeechExec Pro Transcribe Pro) yet both are very different in their approach and functionality. Ultimately the choice is yours as to which offers what you need for your dictation.
Features at a glance:
Philips SpeechLive
- Supports iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone
- Option to send dictation to your typist via email or via web (typist can access audio via Philips website)
- Audio can integrate directly with the transcription typists Speech Exec Pro Transcribe software via simple to configure web connector (just requires user name and password)
- Three options when sending audio. 1) to your typist or typing pool 2) to automatic voice-to-text (essentially Dragon in the cloud) 3) to the Philips own transcription service (located in the UK but accessible from any country)
- Does not encrypt audio files but does encrypt via https when passing files from device to Philips cloud and to local computers running SpeechExec Pro Dictation or Transcription
- Setup of users via a Philips web portal – https://www.speechexec.com – multi users can be assigned as Admins to manage author and transcriber licences
- 30 day free trial offered which includes some free minutes for speech-to-text and for the Philips transcription service
- Transcriptionists can transcribe audio via the Philips website using a Philips foot pedal, saves on the cost of the SpeechExec Pro Transcribe software
Olympus ODDS (Olympus Dictation Delivery Service)
- Supports iPhone and Android
- Option to send dictation to your typist via email or via FTP
- Audio can integrate directly with the transcription typists ODMS Transcription Module software via config to collect via email (requires some configuration and a guide is available to walk you through this) or via FTP by linking folders to network folders
- Audio can be transcribed by Dragon but requires a local install of Dragon Pro (expensive) and a link between the dictation and/or transcription module to transcribe against a profile (complex to set up)
- Will create and send .ds2 (or dss) audio files. Newer format .ds2 files can be encrypted
- Configuration of licences and licence management via an Olympus web portal – https://www.dictation-portal.com – usually managed by an office of practice manager
- 60 day free trial offered
Which Mobile Dictation Solution Should I Choose?
At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference and the features that are most important to you. If you want .ds2 encrypted dictation delivered direct to your typist then Olympus is your choice. If you want the flexibility of being able to send dictation to your typist, or to voice-to-text or to a no fuss outsource transcription service then Philips would be your slant
What are the Pros and Cons of each solution?
Philips SpeechLive
Pros:
- Very easy to sign up (trial or subscription)
- Minimal configuration
- The options for transcription – your typist, voice-to-text or Philips own transcription service
- App is very easy to navigate and use
- Slick web site with functionality for authors and transcribers to play and manage audio via the site
- Transcribers can transcribe directly from the website using a Philips foot pedal, typists can work from any computer just with a pedal – no need for transcription software to be installed on every device
- 30 day free trial with some included voice-to-text and transcription service minutes included
Cons:
- No individual .ds2 files with encryption – only .wma sent via encrypted https connection
Olympus ODDS
Pros:
- Records and encrypts .ds2 audio files
- 60 day free trial with unlimited amount of trial licences, good for quick setup of a large organisation
- Setting up many authors can be speeded up by uploading a pre-filled spreadsheet of users and settings
Cons:
- Setup process can be complex and not overly intuitive, need step by step guidance from a dealer
- No ability to manage audio through a web user interface
What Are The Costs?
Philips
Philips have a couple of options, small business with upto 1o users and advanced business with upto 25 users, both packages include free minutes for voice-to-text (Dragon in the cloud) and Philips outsource transcription service. You can purchase additional minutes for either service if you need them. Approximate costs are:
- Small Business Plan – $13 per user per month (click here to start a free 30 day trial)
- Advanced Business Plan – $16 per user per month (click here to start a free 30 day trial)
Contact us for more information of pricing and plan specifics – sales@dictate.com.au
Olympus
Olympus keep it simple with one yearly subscription cost for each user which is $149 incl. GST.