Interview with Dave Wise of WTB Solicitors on Their Transition to Diktamen

1. What led WTB Solicitors to explore alternative digital dictation solutions?

Dave Wise: We had been using BigHand for a long time, mostly for in-house transcription by our secretaries. While we did have a voice recognition service, it wasn’t being widely used, so we stopped it. The main driver for the transition to Diktamen was simplifying our system so that we didn’t need two separate apps for internal and external dictation. Document Direct recommended Diktamen, and that’s how our journey began.

2. How would you describe your experience working with the Diktamen team?

Dave Wise: The experience has been very positive. The team was responsive and answered our questions clearly. What I appreciated the most was that they understood I had other things to get on with and kept our meetings efficiently short. I’ve been in demos and meetings where time drags on, but Diktamen was always quick and to the point, which I found refreshing.

3. What were the key pain points you aimed to resolve with Diktamen’s solution?

Dave Wise: Our primary goal was to simplify the system and avoid using two different apps – one for in-house dictation and another for external dictation via Document Direct. While we could have continued with BigHand, it would have required more investment to implement additional integrations. So, simplifying to one app was a key factor, and of course, price was another consideration.

4. Has Diktamen’s solution simplified your processes, and how has it impacted the firm’s daily workflow?

Dave Wise: Yes, it has definitely simplified things. We now have one system to deal with all dictations, whether they are internal or external. It’s streamlined the process, and having that visibility in a single platform has been a big help. It’s also reduced the amount of time we spend managing multiple systems.

5. From an IT perspective, how has the transition to Diktamen been?

Dave Wise: The rollout has been one of the most painless I’ve experienced. Even staff who typically struggle with IT changes adapted very quickly. From an IT management side, once the app is installed on the users’ devices, there’s really not much to look after. While I haven’t explored the admin portal fully yet, I anticipate that it will offer more detailed reporting than what we were used to with BigHand.

6. What has been the feedback from the team so far?

Dave Wise: So far, it’s been positive. Most people say Diktamen does exactly what BigHand did without any issues. A few have commented that the layout isn’t as intuitive, but I think that’s mainly because they were used to BigHand for so long. Overall, everyone has adapted to it well.

7. How do the more senior lawyers in your firm view digital dictation compared to the younger ones?

Dave Wise: Interestingly, our senior lawyers are much more likely to dictate, while the younger ones are more self-sufficient and tend to type. It’s likely because younger lawyers have been used to typing throughout their education and training. However, we are encouraging more of our junior lawyers to use dictation, as it can save time and allow them to focus better on their tasks.

8. Based on your experience so far, would you recommend Diktamen to other firms?

Dave Wise: Absolutely. The transition to Diktamen has been smooth, and it has made things easier for our team. From an IT perspective, it’s been a hassle-free implementation, and even the more IT-challenged users have picked it up quickly. It’s been one of the smoothest changes we’ve experienced with software and services.