Why does inserting timestamps necessitate a premium charge?

In today’s article, we will focus on inserting timestamps in transcripts.

· Entering timestamps is largely a manual task performed by transcribers who listen to and transcribe the audio files. This transcript is subsequently reviewed by editors who also need to ensure that the final product is of good quality with careful compliance of instructions.

o Being a manual task, it consumes the transcribers’ time and efforts depending upon the frequency of the required timestamps.

· Inserting timestamps at regular intervals takes the transcribers’ attention away from their basic transcription requirements.

o In order to ensure quality output with timestamps and compliance of instructions, the transcribers spend an unusual amount of time transcribing audio files with such instructions. This ultimately results in loss of productivity for the transcribers.

· The following are some of the examples of the frequency of timestamps, i.e. when to enter a timestamp:

o Every 5 minutes, every 2 minutes, every 1 minute, every sentence (suitable for subtitling), every time there is a change of speaker, etcetera. These are just a snapshot of some requests we have received so far.

· The most time-consuming and exhaustive of the above methods is when one needs to insert timestamps in every sentence. Again, if both the start and end time are required, one cannot expect a transcriber to transcribe more than 20 minutes in a particular day (ideally a transcriber can transcribe more than 50 minutes in an 8-hour shift). This indicates that transcribers need to insert a timestamp at the beginning and the conclusion of a sentence, then again at the beginning and end of sentence2, and so on. This process is repeated until the end of the audio file.

o For example:

§ 0:00:05 – 0:00:20

§ Sentence1

§ 0:00:21 – 0:00:39

§ Sentence2

· Consequently, the lesser the frequency, the more time and efforts required.

· Again, inserting timestamps for every speaker change can be complicated.This is because several times, speakers (mostly discussion participants and in some cases interviewers/interviewees) interrupt each other and thus cut off the flow of the conversation as they tend to speak at the same time. In this case, the process becomes even more difficult.

· These days, there are some software products available which claim to help insert timestamps in a transcript. After exploring those products, we have realized that inserting a timestamp is still a combination of two commands. This means that every time a transcriber wants to enter a timestamp, they need to provide two keystrokes. This instance illustrates that manual efforts have to be taken to maintain the quality of the transcript.

· All in all, inserting timestamps at regular intervals, for example, at a frequency of less than 5 minutes, requires meticulous and intensive efforts on the part of the transcribers.

BPO and Transcription Industry in India – An Overview 2/2

When transcription first began in India, there were various institutes that imparted professional transcription training in lieu of a fee.  The fee varied from as low as 10,000 to 60,000 Indian Rupees.  There were also some organizations that used to impart on-the-job training and then recruit the candidates in-house or provide placements.  The basic training lasts from anywhere between 4 to 6 months.

The transcription training program includes different modules or course subjects – depending on business, legal, general or medical – and is designed to help gain the knowledge and skills towards becoming a transcriptionist.  Numerous exercises and assessments throughout each module ensure that the candidates master each concept before moving on.

Medical Transcription, a subdivision of transcription, is one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare.  In the United States, the entire healthcare industry is based on insurance and detailed medical records are needed to process insurance claims.

Medical transcription is the process of accurately and quickly transcribing medical records dictated by doctors.  A medical transcriptionist transcribes, formats, and proof-reads the medical report of a patient.

 

The ideal qualification for a medical transcriptionist is Graduation and the primary skills required towards becoming an ideal medical transcriptionist are: Good listening and language skills, knowledge of medical terms, fluency in English, and comprehension of various accents.  Undergoing a training course in Medical Transcription is an added advantage.

 

The major end-users of transcription are media houses, universities and institutes, law firms, consultancy services, and business services.

BPO and Transcription Industry in India – An Overview 1/2

Business Process Outsourcing or BPO started off with the shifting of manufacturing goods to countries providing cheap labor, but in today's technology-driven world, the definition of BPO has taken a new dimension wherein it involves the contracting of a process to a third-party service provider.  This process is beneficial to both the outsourcing company and the service provider.

The main advantages of outsourcing are the flexibility it provides to the organization in terms of utilization of its employee strength by focusing on core competencies, rather than performing non-core or administrative processes; increased efficiency, speed, quality, and lower costs in delivering the end product; and real-time access to skilled people.

The work generally involves outsourcing of internal business functions such as human resources, finance, and front office in the form of customer-related services.

The process of outsourcing work to India began in the early 1990s.  The major reasons that contributed to India's success in this industry is: Abundant, skilled, English-speaking manpower; high-end telecom and infrastructure which is at par with global standards; strong focus on measuring and monitoring quality targets; fast turnaround times and the ability to offer 24x7 services based on the country's unique geographic location that allows for leveraging time zone differences; and a positive environment which encourages growth of ITES/BPO industry.

Transcription is one of the sub-segments of BPO.  Transcription is the conversion of recorded speech into a written or electronic text format.  Transcription services are provided for business – earnings calls; legal – courtroom proceedings; general – podcast, media, IT & engineering transcription, symposiums, interviews, presentations, lectures; or medical – patient summary.

Transcription services are provided for a wide variety of audio and video media, ranging from traditional analog tapes to high-definition digital media of various formats.

High-quality transcription is characterized not only by an ability to listen and comprehend diverse vocabulary, but also by an ability to collect relevant information.

Transcription services are charged depending on per line, per word, per minute or per hour basis.  Other factors that go into providing a custom quality professional end-product to the clients are: Prompt and professional service, quick turnaround time with highest possible accuracy, and cost effectiveness.