Salans dictates workflow with digital innovation

Concern over voice recognition software has led international law firm Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn HRK to install digital dictation software for all fee-earners in its London office.The firm has introduced DictaFlow software, a system produced by software development firm nFlow, which updates the traditional tapes and tape recorder system to a computerised, digital format.

The fee-earner speaks into a computer, which converts the speech into a sound file and sends it across on the computer network to a secretary, who downloads and types it.

The computerised file is also monitored on a central database for workflow purposes.

Salans' IT manager Eddine Larroussi explained that the firm's original plan to introduce full electronic voice recognition software met with mixed results.'The voice recognition pilot had only a 50% success rate from fee- earners,' he said.

'So we decided to install the digital dictation system to begin with, and perhaps move on to voice recognition later.'The new system, according to Mr Larroussi, helps the firm to keep track of its workflow.

'We have so many secretaries who are frequently being called off to work on ad hoc projects,' he said.

'With this centralised digital system we can tell immediately which secretaries are working on what projects, and distribute work accordingly.' Victoria MacCallum