Transcription: In-House Versus Out-Sourced

If you are looking for a transcription service for your business, then you have two choices: either have a transcription department within your company or outsource your requirements to specialized transcription service providing companies. There are many companies available within your country or offshore that provide these services for a fee. They provide services in media transcription, medical transcription, legal transcription, etc. But you need to do a small feasibility study before you opt for either one of the two options.

Firstly, you need to consider what the extent of your need is. Do you require these services very often or is it a few times a month? If it is an ongoing requirement, then maybe having an in house department will be more feasible for you. But, with having that department, there will be a few fixed costs attached to it. You will need to invest in hardware, recruitment of transcribers, their insurance and other fixed costs, etc. If you think your company can handle these costs, then go ahead and add that department in your organogram. If not, then outsourcing the job is the best option for you. You will not have to invest in training of individuals or their employment benefits. If you do not like the quality of the transcript, then get it done again. Same applies for companies who do not require these services very frequently. A one-off need can be easily fulfilled with outsourced vendors.

Secondly, you need to consider the security measures your company information requires. If you think your data is ultra sensitive and you do not have ample measures of security in-house, then it is best to outsource your work. Transcription companies generally observe maximum security for guarding information, and therefore, are ideal for making sure your information is safe from leakage. It may seem like it is easier to guard your data in-house, but there are times when generic security measures are not enough to guard your data. Specialized services may be required to guard it and that’s where transcription service companies come into play.

Thirdly, if you think you need to be involved in the transcription process and find the need to communicate with your transcribers frequently, then having an in house service makes sense. But this happens very rarely. Generally transcripts are not to be doctored and have to be typed word for word from the audio, and hence, intervention from the client in this regard is very seldom.

With outsourced companies you get a better turnaround time and delivery. Within house services you might have to worry about absent employees or keeping with their working schedules. With outsourcing, you can have your transcript available as and when you need them.