How can I be sure this is going to work for me?
A: Yes. You can try the Medical, Legal, or Professional version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking™ for free if you come to my office. Call and schedule a time. I will go to your office for a fee that will be rebated when you purchase one of my software & training packages. If you are more than 20 miles from my office, there will also be a charge for travel.
A: Yes. Why speech recognition didn't work satisfactorily for some folks largely comes down to the same factors as it does today: You need the right computer set up and you have to practice -- you can't just install the software, start dictating your notes, and expect wonderful results. Success with speech recognition requires that you:
1. Have a computer with the right processor (these days, an Intel Pentium 4 chip), enough random-access memory (at least 512MB of RAM), the right sound card or USB audio input combination, and the right operating system (Windows XP Professional is the best) to run the software efficiently.
2. Prepare the computer's hard drive and change various settings on your computer to run the Dragon software optimally.
3. Develop speech recognition dictating skills. This doesn't take long for most users, but there is a learning curve. And if you don't have any experience, you won't have anything to gauge your level of accuracy against. Without benchmarks it's very difficult to know whether you are getting the results you should or whether you're just accepting a lower level of performance because you don't know how well you could be doing with Dragon.
4. Get training from me. I am a Dragon Certified Instructor. I can get you up and running quickly with your Dragon software and help you integrate your new skills into your office procedures and document management system. If you are a professional to whom time is money, you will appreciate the help of a specialist in getting started because I can accelerate your whole learning process.
Q: How can I be sure this is going to work for me?
A: The real question here is not Dragon, but you. If you are motivated and really want to use this technology to become more productive, it will work. Dragon NaturallySpeaking™ has recently published its eighth major edition, making it a relatively "seasoned" product. There are many thousands of persons using this technology every day, around the globe, to save time and money. So, the main question is whether you are sufficiently motivated to adjust your work habits and develop the necessary skills. If you have me help you get started, the first stage will take only three hours: At that point most people have learned enough to be able to dictate their most frequently used documents. However, at the end of that first training session, you may return the software for any reason if you feel that it is "not for you."
A: Particularly in a business setting, the important question to ask is "What is the net benefit of this investment," not "What is the upfront cost." Time/money/productivity gains begin to accrue right away. Even if you buy a new computer to run your Dragon software, the total cost of the computer, Dragon software, and my full training course probably won't exceed $3500. A doctor or attorney with a moderate amount of transcription typically spends $15-25,000 per year in staff or transcriptionist costs. The math is pretty simple: It takes only a couple of months to recoup total costs and from then on it's all gravy! How about a 400%+ ROI in Year 1? How much is it costing you not to invest in this program?
A: When you buy your software & training from Advanced Voice Recognition, I am your first line of support, not the manufacturer. Before your first training session, I will install the Dragon software, make adjustments to your computer's system, and make sure everything is working the way it should. Following training, I will provide a reasonable amount of technical assistance free of charge over the phone or online. Thereafter, I provide technical assistance at my standard consulting rates. In many cases, it is possible to do an Internet hookup between your computer and mine and help you in real time!
A: I prefer payment by corporate check but also accept the standard credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express). Payment for software and services (including on-site demonstrations) is due prior to the installation of software or the provision of services.