If you own a law firm, or you’ve started a home-based business that provides legal assistance, then you’ve looked into the benefits of legal dictation software to increase productivity. “The time and cost involved in documenting case and client information, contracts, briefs and other legal materials is staggering. Traditional reliance on administrative support staff and outside transcription services drags down productivity and eats into profits.”
If you plan to invest in legal transcription software, then you’ll be glad to know there are hundreds of choices. To make your life easier and narrow down your search, here’s what you should look for in the best audio transcription software.
Speed
If you’ve ever had an audio file transcribed, you know turnaround time can vary. Some software can transcribe lengthy files rather quickly, within a couple of hours, whereas others take a full day. Short on time and need it fast? Review turn-around times –– especially if you need to meet stringent court deadlines.
Accuracy
Recognition accuracy is essential when selecting the best transcription software. The goal is to quickly create detailed and accurate documents – without any spelling errors.
If you have ever used a text-to-speech app, you know accuracy isn’t great. The audio file may include background noise, multiple people speaking, or diverse accents. This can lead to a transcription that is chock-full of mistakes and cause legal issues.
Use legal transcription software that guarantees a high level of accuracy – preferably 99%. Accuracy rates are usually visible on the provider’s website or stated in the Terms and Conditions.
Hidden Fees
Some transcription providers will try to charge more than they should. They’ll advertise a rate to use their software without disclosing the hidden fees upfront. This can quickly put a hole in your administrative budget.
Use a transcription service that offers clear and straight-forward pricing. Be sure to review the terms and conditions to confirm if there are fees you could easily overlook in the fine print.
Security
When you work in the legal field, confidentiality is crucial. Confidential information is usually not intended for disclosure to third parties. A document or discussion can be confidential. But that does not guarantee you can prevent its disclosure.
Check the security level before you purchase the software. Is there a policy to delete files after download and ensure no one has access to your files? Reputable companies will guarantee confidentiality. Review the confidentiality statement. If it’s inadequate, look elsewhere.
Jayce Redford is a content marketer and a project manager at Ocere, a digital marketing company based in the UK. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Ateneo de Davao University. He has been with Ocere for 8 years and counting.
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