Gartner defines SaaS as "software that is owned, delivered and managed remotely by one or more providers. The provider delivers an application based on a single set of common code and data definitions, which are consumed in a one-to-many model by all contracted customers anytime on a pay-for-use basis, or as a subscription based on use metrics.”

When I was a kid I remember fathers carrying a briefcase to work every day, and I'll have to admit, I had one long ago too.  Times have changed a little bit, but most of us still tote around a laptop bag or backpack when traveling for work.  What has changed drastically is what is in our office carry case.  The old man used to drag with him items like office documents, the morning paper, his glasses, a book or two, some pens, a pad of paper and maybe a cassette tape recorder.  My primary reason for lugging a bag around today is my laptop computer, but am I more like the employee of the past or the professional of the future?

The next generation of office knowledge worker is walking next to us every day.  They had a cell phone or hand held game in their grip before they took steps.  Where our parents read the paper, they get their news from a computer, smart phone or pod cast.  We have coined the term "digital native" for them, but they know no different.  As we prepare to hand the reins of Corporate America over to them, what must be done to change the workplace in order to leverage their ability to utilize a digital workplace?  Research firm IDC says of the Net Generation, "they feel that their companies have not yet adopted electronic processes".  No one understands the functional limitations and multiplying expenses that extend from the use of paper and paper based processes better than this group.  The demand for real time information that is literally read from the palms of our hands is indicative of techniques that will drive future efficiencies in the workplace.  Ask yourself how many times, in the last month, you have sent or received business related email after 10PM at night.  What effort did you have to go through 15 years ago to find and read a document that you didn't bring with you on a business trip?  Today we have all to tools to bring our office with us when we leave the facility.

So what does the near future hold for knowledge workers?  Will they be doing expense reports on their I-Pod?  The digital natives are restless and they will decide soon.

WinScribe has announced the release of its anticipated version 4.0.  This is a major release with exciting new functionality for WinScribe customers.  A new secretary client is designed to make identification of dictations easier, enhance team working and improve job filtering capabilities.  Additionally, the new version will improve a customer's ability to balance their workload by utilizing enhanced reporting tools.  Support for new devices and the ability to upload from new hardware will also improve the customers experience.

WinScribe has also improved its mobile solution by allowing a Blackberry client to be tethered, thus giving customers more options for dictation upload.  This means users will no longer have to rely on wireless as the sole method for dictation upload to the server.  The new platform will be available soon for deployment.  To view the WinScribe Press Release, follow the link provided below.

http://www.winscribe.com/about_winscribe/news/2009/18Aug09.asp

An ASP, or Application Service Provider, is a business that provides software or computer based functionality over a network.  Also referred to as On-demand or SaaS, (Software as a Service), it is normal for the provider to issue specific application functionality, for a re-occurring fee, in place of software licensing.

So why have ASP’s gained popularity?  One reason is they rely on a foundational infrastructure that companies are already investing heavily in.  Today a company’s intranet and network infrastructure is among its most important IT priorities.  ASP’s rely on internet connectivity and today most companies view internet as a central business function, which means it is not included as a system cost.  Since servers, data storage and other associated costs are not needed with ASP's, customers have a very predictable expense model.

We know the associated costs of premise based systems can escalate.  In addition to Server and OS costs, a company will likely have database costs.  In addition, along with the server comes business continuity costs like malware protection and backups.  Other expenses included are the cost of IT people, administration training, space for equipment, electricity and software upgrades.  Most, if not all of these costs, including maintenance and installation of updates, can likely be deferred with an ASP.

So how does a Dictation ASP work?  Concepts vary, but it’s pretty straight forward.  In most cases, the exact same functionality that is incorporated into a premise based system can be found in a Dictation ASP.  The individual creating the voice recording may use a variety of equipment including handhelds, phone dictation and Blackberrys.  Jobs are tracked and voice recognition can also be utilized.  Fees for this service are usually predictable and based on the number of users.  There are typically no software license costs or upgrade fees as upgrades are normally built into the user fee.  Since upgrades are performed by the provider, the customer experiences very little hassle. 

Sounds good, right?  Well there are other considerations.  For one, the customer usually has to accept the system as it is without much customization.  Additionally, the provider usually determines when the system will be upgraded for all customers.  Also, since the solution is internet based, if the customer’s connection to the internet is down, some or all of the functionality is likely lost until service is restored.

Is a Dictation ASP right for you, or does a premise based system make more sense?  You’ll need to evaluate the cost versus benefits.  Keep in mind that as the cost of data centers decreases and bandwidth quality of data improves, the viability of this strategy will come around.

Leadership, Reliability, Satisfaction...
You may know Van Ausdall & Farrar as the provider of your equipment and the company to call when you have a problem with it.  Were you aware that VAF is also a name you can trust for sophisticated business applications? Many organizations count on us for technical leadership and a personal relationship that delivers reliability and satisfaction.  We have a solution that meets your business strategy including hosted environments, outsourcing and ecommerce.  I’ve outlined our framework below.

Enterprise Software
Van Ausdall & Farrar continues to provide leading solutions to the healthcare industry, legal groups, government and the general market, with a portfolio of enterprise solutions that address voice and document challenges that all businesses have.

Outsourcing Services
We have the ability to provide scalable transcription services to large and small health systems that delivers fast and accurate data to your business systems.

Application Services
Van Ausdall & Farrar is an Application Service Provider with multiple hosted solutions that minimize IT and infrastructure and capital equipment costs for our customers.

Equipment & Peripherals
We’re still a leading provider of dictation, transcription and document scanner devices and accessories with low prices and quality consultation.

Core Systems
Van Ausdall & Farrar leverages its long standing partnerships with core system vendors like Microsoft, Cisco, Hewlett Packard and others to deliver important core components for premise based systems.  We deliver fully functional database servers, redundant storage systems, network infrastructure, wireless infrastructure, security and firewall solutions, data backup solutions, virtualized environments and application delivery systems.

Online Order Fulfillment
In 2009 we introduced GetDictation.com, our first online store for nationwide purchase of voice and text products.

Professional Services
Van Ausdall & Farrar customers have come to expect first class technical knowledge over the years.  Today our Professional Services Group delivers on the expectation with quality, trained technical resources that facilitate all phases of solution delivery including; consultation, project management, implementation, training, integration, programming, software assurance, support , maintenance and warranty administration.

I’m confident our portfolio of business strategies that focuses on voice, text and content management solutions can improve bottom line profit and customer satisfaction for your organization.  Contact us for a no cost consultation.

Using the WinScribe platform, BlackBerry Smartphone Dictation & Transcription services allow Legal firms to free up their secretary resources while providing a highly flexible mobile transcription workflow.

Dictations can be transcribed by our typist or re-routed to your own while on the go.  You'll never have to return to the office to upload a dictation or receive your typed transcriptions.

WinScribe has developed WinScribe for BlackBerry Smartphones, a dictation application offering a sleek interface for dictating on BlackBerry mobile devices. WinScribe for BlackBerry Smartphones is part of the comprehensive WinScribe Mobility Suite.  The suite offers comprehensive functionality with the purpose of leveraging Blackberry’s system.  These functions include:

Anywhere, Anytime Dictation and Review.  WinScribe for BlackBerry SmartPhones offers unparalleled functionality to speed up work turnaround. With options to route work directly to a secretary or transcription team you have the power of choice in your hand. Dictation can be uploaded anywhere, anytime with client demographics attached ensuring document accuracy and accelerating the transcription process.

Fully Featured Finger Touch Control.  WinScribe for Blackberry Smartphones provides for single-handed operation and finger touch control of all operations. Options exists for work type and key field selection and multimedia support for record – insert, overwrite and append, play, fast-forward, and rewind.

Secure Voice and Data Transmission. In order to maintain high levels of client confidentiality.

Speech Recognition Integration.  WinScribe for BlackBerry Smartphones records using high quality audio suitable for use with WinScribe's server based speech recognition solution. Authors are free to dictate anywhere, anytime and have their dictation automatically routed for recognition. This optional functionality further improves document turnaround time.

Automatic Upload.  The difference between using WinScribe with your BlackBerry versus using a digital portable device is that voice files recorded with WinScribe for BlackBerry Smartphones are uploaded upon a connection being present, versus waiting for the device to be docked. This means that wherever your authors are, dictation is soon available to the transcription staff allowing for a more streamlined workload without peaks and valleys.

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