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FAQS |
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Where is BigHand Digital Dictation developed?
BigHand software is developed in London, England and distributed all over the world.
Is the sound format .wav?
.wav files can be created using BigHand, however we have developed an industry leading proprietary format .bhf (BigHand Format) that is both more efficient (compression) and sophisticated (information) than .wav files or any other format currently available.
How large are the file sizes?
The files sizes range from 830KB to 1.1MB, per ten minute dictation, depending on your preferences.We have two optional formats:
• BigHand High Quality Codec
• BigHand Standard Codec
BigHand Digital Dictation is the only system that uses a CODEC that incorporates CELP technology. CELP helps cut out background noise and rebuild voice composition.
Can I slow or speed up the playback?
Yes, BigHand has built in pitch control
Do I need to buy a new server?
No, depending on the spec of your server we can run the BigHand Server program and store the dictations on one of your existing low utilisation servers or across servers.
Does it have a back end database?
Yes.
What RAM will the server need?
Depends on what else is running on the server, but at least 256MB
What processor speed will the server need?
PIII 500 + and if possible a dual processor as SQL benefits from a dual processor.
How much server storage space is required?
100MB per fee earner
What server tolerance do you recommend?
Tolerance is the ability to recover data if any part of a server fails. This decision is up to the client IT staff, but the BigHand system is renowned for its resilience and stability.
Can we run BigHand software across servers?
Yes
Can we run BigHand Digital Dictation across regional or international sites?
Yes
How is it going to affect the network?
There should be no adverse effects on your network, as BigHand uses low amounts of bandwidth.
What happens if the network fails?
Users can continue to work as normal.
We only have 10Mbit to the desktop will that be a problem?
There shouldn’t be a problem, as long as you are currently happy with your network performance.
Does it run on Citrix Metaframe/Windows Terminal Server (ie. Thin Client)
Yes
Will it work effectively over our WAN?
Yes
Can you use Citrix Dial-up for remote working?
Yes
How much RAM do we need on PCs?
Minimal – only 64MB required for BigHand client software (secretary and fee earner)
What processor speed do we need?
PII 266+
What’s the minimum client spec?
A PII 266 with 64MB
How much storage space is required?
Minimal – 100MB
Will it work with any soundcard?
The system will work with any soundcard/chip and we will perform proper testing during the installations.
What devices can be used to dictate into?
Any serial/USB device or a headset microphone - ask us for our recommendations.
What devices does a secretary use?
A serial or USB foot pedal and 3.5mm stereo headset. Other variants on headsets are available.
Can you work remotely?
Yes BigHand Digital Dictation can be used away from the office using mobile devices and either synchronised remotely through a dial up connection, web, or Citrix.
What’s involved in the Server Installation?
We install the BigHand Server and attach the BigHand Database to SQL. We set-up the access rights and test the BigHand Service and ensure that the BigHand Server Tools are functioning properly. Finally we also check the TCP-IP configuration settings.
Do you have to visit each machine to configure the workflow set-up of BigHand?
No
Does BigHand support Roaming Profiles?
Yes
How many administrators can you have?
You can have as many department and full administrators as you want within the confines of the licence agreement.
How do you set up new users?
It is very simple and we show you how to set up new users as part of your Administration Training Course.
Do you have a customer support area on your web site?
Yes
Do you need access to the server for support?
Not necessarily, but if you wished, we can set up PC Anywhere so we can remotely dial in and administer your server.
Can we arrange out of hours technical support?
Yes that can be arranged.
Fee earner questions
Can a fee-earner walk around and dictate at the same time?
Yes
Does each fee-earner link directly with their secretary? (i.e. when a dictation is sent who does it go to automatically?)
By default, the dictations will be sent to your own secretary. This can be altered as necessary
What about confidentiality?
Dictations are encrypted and the 'Password protection' feature provides totally confidential dictation when required. The BigHand server also provides a virtual firewall to ensure total security.
What happens if a fee-earner is not PC friendly?
BigHand Digital Dictation is known as being extremely easy to use, and its interface looks similiar to popular email programs.
Can I stop recording and pick up the file later?
Yes, your file and position is saved in your drafts folder and you may resume on your return
Can I email dictations outside of the BigHand system if required?
Yes, an export and attach to email function is standard
Is it possible to see the status of the dictation at all times?
Yes, you can constantly see whether it is Pending, In Progress or Completed
Is it possible to insert audio mid sentence within an audio file?
Yes.
What if the batteries go flat on my handheld device while I am recording, what happens to my file?
Your dictation can be recovered on insertion of new batteries
How do I seamlessly transfer files from my portable solution to be transcribed?
Unlike other systems, BigHand offers native device support ensuring you can transfer files seamlessly, with sychronised automatic transfer.
Can a fee-earner forward dictations on to different secretaries?
Yes, a fee earner will be able to forward dictations on to other secretaries.
Do the fee-earners see the same screen as the secretary?
The two screens are very similar in display except a fee-earner will have a ‘Drafts ’ folder and an ‘Outbox’ Folder
Can the fee-earners check whether a dictation has been completed from their own screen?
Yes. They will be able to see whether dictations are ‘pending’, ‘in progress’ or ‘complete’, and which secretary has worked on them
When the fee-earners are dictating, does the text automatically appear on the screen?
No. Digital Dictation is a way of recording ‘sound’ and transferring it to a secretary via the firms network. Speech recognition is when a fee-earner dictates and the text appears on the screen automatically. BigHand software has an optional speech recognition module that can be supplied upon request.
Can a fee-earner change the priority level of a dictation once it has been submitted?
Yes.
Can fee-earners access the digital dictation once it has been sent?
Yes.
Will fee-earners be able to see who is doing their dictation?
Once a secretary has opened a digital dictation, it will appear as locked by that secretary.
How do you insert into a dictation?
This procedure is very straightforward. They will simply get to the position that they want to insert, press a button on the toolbar or handheld microphone and then continue recording as normal.
If a fee-earner was dictating a long document, could he interrupt that dictation and start something else, for example, an urgent fax?
Yes. The fee-earner can save the dictation as a draft and can access it at a later stage through the ‘drafts’ folder.
Can fee-earners use headsets?
Yes. As an alternative a fee-earner can use a headset if desired.
What are the chances of fee-earners actually deleting or losing dictated work?
Very difficult indeed as BigHand was designed with certain fail safe procedures in-built.
How does the recording actually work?
The fee-earner quite simply presses a Record button on the SpeechMike and starts dictating. He/she will then assign a title or notes to the dictation when finished and then presses another button to send it.
Secretarial questions
How do I actually get into the digital dictation screen?
BigHand Digital Dictation will be available either on your desktop, Start Menu or Application Launcher (depending on set-up)
Am I notified if I have received a new dictation?
Yes. There will be two notifications. A small icon in the system tray will be displayed when ‘pending’ dictations are in your inbox. Also, you will receive a Message Box in the middle of your screen.
Can I alter the volume of a digital dictation?
Yes.
With a cassette based system I can set it up so that if I stop typing and then start again, the tape will automatically jump back a couple of seconds. Can this be done with the digital dictation system?
Yes, an ‘Autoback Space’ feature is available. This can be set to ‘zero’ or as high as 1 minute.
What do I do if I job share?
Depending on how it is set-up, when a fee-earner sends a dictation, it will go to both of you as required.
What do I have to do if I have to log on to somebody else's station?
You will receive your dictations on that PC.
What happens if the fee-earner that you work for has done some dictation the night before and I am on sick leave the next day?
Your BigHand Department Administrator will enable the dictation to be transcribed by another secretary.
When somebody is given access rights to my digital dictation system, can they also view my e-mails?
No.
Does the person who is covering me need to log on as me?
No, they are just given certain access rights.
If access is given to somebody else, how does the work then get directed back to me?
The work can be re-assigned. Alternatively, you will be working from a shared folder so there will be no problem.
Will I be able to see who has accessed a dictation?
Yes. There is a ‘user’ field that will display who has accessed a dictation.
What happens if nobody is assigned to cover me but there are dictation files in my inbox?
Depending on their priority your dictations will be re-assigned to another secretary.
Can a secretary stop transcribing one dictation and move to another more urgent one?
Yes. This is simply a case of shutting down the ‘dictation player window’ for that dictation and opening up another.
THE FAQS LISTED ABOVE ARE DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF DIGITAL DICTATION, BUT ARE NOT DEFINITIVE TECHNICAL ANSWERS. PLEASE CONTACT BIGHAND FOR MORE PRECISE INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATION.
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