Interview with Vicki Jones & Alicia Pickett on Johnson Astills’ Transition to Diktamen Cloud Digital Dictation

Vicki Jones, Practice Manager, and Alicia Pickett, Practice Administrator at Johnson Astills, share their experience of adopting Diktamen Cloud Digital Dictation, and how it has streamlined workflows, reduced costs, and supported staff productivity.

Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and your roles at Johnson Astills?

Vicki Jones: “I’m the Practice Manager here, overseeing operations across the firm, including IT and workflow management.”
Alicia Pickett: “I’m the Practice Administrator, supporting the practice and ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly.”

What prompted Johnson Astills to explore a new digital dictation solution?

Vicki Jones: “Our initial goal was to find a similar product to our previous solution, but at a lower cost. We had heard about Diktamen through the Solicitors Law Group and other like-minded firms who had successfully transitioned from our previous supplier. That gave us confidence to reach out and arrange a trial.”

How would you describe your experience working with Diktamen and their team?

Vicki Jones: “Really positive. Andy, Joe, and Joonas were responsive and knowledgeable. They supported us throughout the trial and migration, helping us plan around our existing contract and allowing us to onboard staff gradually.”
Alicia Pickett: “They were very approachable and provided guidance on features we hadn’t considered, like speech recognition and task management, which was really helpful for us.”

Were there any concerns when transitioning to a new system?

Vicki Jones: “Naturally, there was some caution, particularly around cost and ensuring the system would fit our workflows. But Diktamen made the process straightforward, and staff adapted quickly. The platform worked reliably from day one.”

What stands out about Diktamen compared to your old system?

Vicki Jones: “The flexibility and scalability. Some staff rarely use dictation, while others rely on it heavily. Diktamen accommodates all work styles and integrates seamlessly into our existing systems.”

Are you exploring any additional tools or technologies with Diktamen?

Vicki Jones: “Yes, we’re interested in speech recognition and task management. The low-cost, pay-as-you-go model is really attractive. We’re also mindful of AI tools but only where they deliver tangible benefits.”

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

Vicki Jones: “Absolutely. The product is simple, effective, and the support team is excellent. It’s made a noticeable difference to our workflows and productivity.”

How do you see digital dictation fitting into your firm’s workflow going forward?

Vicki Jones: “It remains an essential tool. It supports traditional workflows for some staff while providing the flexibility younger team members expect from modern software. It bridges the gap very well.”

What advice would you give to other firms considering Diktamen?

Vicki Jones: “Don’t hesitate. The platform is reliable, cost-effective, and the team makes the transition easy. It’s genuinely improved our efficiency and reduced operational costs.”