Based in central Coventry, Coopers is a firm of highly qualified and experienced chartered surveyors and estate agents, offering a complete range of property services. With extensive local knowledge and specialist residential lettings and survey departments in addition to sales, Coopers has established a highly successful track record. Aiming to provide customers with the most up-to-date information on the firm’s wide choice of properties, Coopers has invested in the latest computerized administration systems, including specialized estate-agency software. In order to streamline the dictation process and facilitate remote working, director Martin Cooper looked for a digital dictation solution to replace the Philips and Sanyo analog systems, which had been in use since the firm was founded in 1982.

The Philips solution

Coopers selected Philips Pocket Memo 9600 digital recorders and SpeechExec Pro Transcription Set 7277. The ergonomically shaped light-weight metal body of the Pocket Memo makes it ideal for working over longer periods of time while on the move. A high-quality microphone and DSS Pro encoding provide optimized voice recording and accurate speech-recognition results. Designed for professionals, other features include real-time file encryption to protect sensitive data, editing functions for easy file revision, and a USB dock for fast battery recharging and file transfer. Combining comfortable and reliable accessories with the innovative SpeechExec Pro workflow software, the 7277 Transcription Set simplifies the organization of documents. Important work can be identified at a glance and list-sorting options guarantee a useful overview of dictation files.

Surveying the market

Coopers sought advice from SpeechWrite Digital, specialists in the supply, installation, configuration, and support of digital dictation systems. The main requirements were high-quality sound and the ability to send files electronically, rather than physically handing over a tape and a hardcopy file which might become separated. It was also essential that the dictation device should be easy to use and complemented by a docking station for uploading files and recharging. SpeechWrite Digital experts provided an excellent standard of service alongside their knowledge of Philips products.

The value of digital dictation

With all staff at Coopers using the Philips digital dictation solution, documents can now be turned around significantly faster. Authors benefit from the superb ease of use of the Pocket Memo. Finishing a dictated file and opening a fresh job is simplicity itself, while file editing is also easy and quick. When working away from the office, there is no need to wait until a microcassette can be handed to a secretary for transcription; finished dictations may be e-mailed immediately. Secretaries appreciate the optimized clarity of digital sound, enabling more accurate transcription. Poor sound quality from the old microcassettes previously in use necessitated time-consuming checking and correction of errors. Full compatibility between the Philips SpeechExec software and Microsoft Word ensures smooth workflow and enhancement of the whole document production process.