SpeechCursor - Speech recognition software

Service scope

Software add-on or extension: Yes
What software services is the service an extension to: SpeechCursor is used to directly dictate text into third-party clinical and non-clinical applications, via speech recognition. This includes systems such as CRM systems, EPRs/PAS (as well as LIMS, PACS, web portals, etc...) and Microsoft products (e.g. MS Word and Outlook).
Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
Service constraints: There are no constraints with the use of SpeechCursor. Maintenance is performed on a regular basis; there might be a short interruption to the use of the solution during maintenance windows.
System requirements: Operating system: Windows 10 Build 17763 or later

Processor: minimum Intel Core i3 or equivalent

Memory (RAM): minimum 1 GB

Storage: minimum 2 GB available space

Network connectivity: minimum 20 Mbps

.NET Framework 4.8

Solution compatible with standard anti-virus products, including McAfee

Solution compatible with a range of virtualisation technologies e.g. VMWare

User support

Email or online ticketing support: Yes, at extra cost
Support response times: Each issue is given a classification relating to its urgency. Customers can assign priority levels to issues. Depending on the priority category, response times are between 1 working hour (for a Priority 1 query) and 1 working day (for a simple Request for Information). Our service desk is operational Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00, 52 weeks a year excluding bank holidays. We can provide extended support, including 24/7 support; we provide a 24/7 emergency service for major issues (e.g. system being down) as standard. Our Technical Team is available for onsite visits at short notice.
User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
Phone support: Yes
Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support: No
Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
Support levels: G2 Speech provide a comprehensive, fully-managed service proactively, encompassing support for all the server infrastructure, OS, software, etc.

We have an ITIL-aligned support system in place, including a dedicated 1st-line team, contactable using our online support suite or a dedicated telephone number. Both methods provide the customer with a unique call reference number. 2nd and 3rd-line levels are in place, ensuring tickets get the correct level of expertise applied in a timely manner to ensure adherence to the SLA. A Service Manager is in place, overseeing complex issues and providing additional structure and ownership where required; they will ensure clear communication and updates are provided, and also that tickets are updated in order to maintain accurate records.

Where onsite support is required, we can do so quickly, due to having team members located across various regions within the UK.

Beyond the above, a clearly documented escalation path is in place and included in the agreed SLA to ensure that our customers have the relevant contact information should they need to use it.

We can also agree extended support hours with our customers, but we have not yet been in a situation where our customers have needed this.
Support available to third parties: No

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started: Once SpeechCursor has been implemented, we provide a bespoke and comprehensive training package to ensure end-users are fully competent in using the solution. Typically, training is delivered via a 'train the trainer' approach; we offer classroom-based training and/or one-to-one training (onsite and/or remotely via WebEx, MS Teams, Zoom, TeamViewer, etc.). Full, up-to-date and comprehensive documentation is provided. We also provide training and up-to-date documentation with each upgrade of SpeechCursor.

We also offer an e-learning self-training course, to train and re-train users at their convenience. This course, made bespoke to each customer, is accessible 24/7 from any location and device (desktop, mobile, tablet), via a link, or can be uploaded on the customer's LMS. It consists of a series of competency based, interactive modules on the different aspects of the software, bite-sized video tutorials, best practice speech recognition techniques, and quizzes/competency tests. The course is fun and interactive, with simulations, reinforcement, correction, and reward. Users can choose which module(s) to revisit.

All training resources are tailored to the needs of each customer.

We also assist customers with technical queries, via our support suite, accessible online and by telephone. Our Technical Team is fully available for onsite visits.
Service documentation: Yes
Documentation formats: PDF

Other
Other documentation formats: PowerPoint presentations

Videos (training)

WebEx (training)

MS Word
End-of-contract data extraction: No client/patient data is stored in SpeechCursor.

We can provide a leaving customer with statistical data on their recognition rates when using SpeechCursor, however this would not usually be required by the customer.
End-of-contract process: Our usual process is as follows: A date will be agreed with the customer upon which all user access will be revoked, the services will be switched off and all SpeechCursor software and files will be removed from the servers. Then, the customer’s IT team will be advised to uninstall any remaining SpeechCursor software from user PCs.

Should a customer wish to end their contract with us, we don't typically apply an end-of-contract charge, however all outstanding payments will still apply.

Using the service

Web browser interface: No
Application to install: Yes
Compatible operating systems: Windows
Designed for use on mobile devices: No
Service interface: Yes
User support accessibility: None or don’t know
Description of service interface: The user interface of SpeechCursor is very simple and consists of a task bar tile (Configuration menu) and a dictation box which the user dictates into.
Accessibility standards: None or don’t know
Description of accessibility: SpeechCursor is implemented across a server-client based infrastructure.

Our service interface is the application used to access our cloud service: our client software is downloadable from a website and is a native installer for Windows-based computers. Users use individual usernames and passwords to log on to the cloud service via the client application.
Accessibility testing: We offer SpeechCursor in a variety of languages and users can add their own vocabulary to the dictionary. In addition, the solution adapts to individual ways of speaking, speech patterns and accents. Users can input standard groups of text and standard groups of headers/fields with single voice commands, reducing the necessity to use their keyboard. In future versions of the software (the solution is very new but these versions are on our roadmap), users will be able to change the colour scheme of their interface, the monochrome aspect and the lightness/darkness; these changes will be simple to implement and able to be carried out by users themselves as they are using the software.
API: No
Customisation available: Yes
Description of customisation: • We offer SpeechCursor in a variety of languages and users can add their own vocabulary to the dictionary.
• In addition, SpeechCursor adapts to individual ways of speaking, speech patterns and accents.
• Users can input standard groups of text and standard groups of headers/fields with single voice commands (and they can pre-configure these groups of text, headers and fields), reducing the necessity to use their keyboard.
• Please also note that the training we provide to each customer is also tailored to their individual requirements.
• In future versions of the software (SpeechCursor is very new, but these versions are on our roadmap), users will be able to change the colour scheme of their interface, the monochrome aspect and the lightness/darkness; these changes will be simple to implement and able to be carried out by users themselves as they are using the software.

Scaling

Independence of resources: SpeechCursor is designed to be scalable to the needs of a growing organisation. Our environments are continuously monitored and automatically scaled up if demand is high and scaled down if demand is low.

Analytics

Service usage metrics: Yes
Metrics types: We can provide customers with statistics on their speech recognition rates, should the organisation wish to have this information.

G2 Speech can also produce reports on the usage of our technical support services.
Reporting types: Reports on request

Resellers

Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
Government security clearance: Up to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Asset protection

Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom

European Economic Area (EEA)
User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
Penetration testing frequency: Less than once a year
Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a Tigerscheme qualified provider or a CREST-approved service provider
Protecting data at rest: Physical access control, complying with another standard

Encryption of all physical media
Data sanitisation process: Yes
Data sanitisation type: Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

Data export approach: No client/patient data is stored in SpeechCursor; therefore there is no data which would need to be exported.
Data export formats: Other
Other data export formats: N/A - no client/patient data is stored in SpeechCursor
Data import formats: Other
Other data import formats: N/A - no data is uploaded into SpeechCursor

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: Private network or public sector network

TLS (version 1.2 or above)

IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Other
Other protection within supplier network: Our cloud infrastructure is based on a multi-layered approach. This means we differentiate accessibility requirements per layer.

We do not store any client/patient data in SpeechCursor, and no documentation is stored.

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability: As our cloud environment is hosted on Microsoft Azure we automatically gain the benefits of the disaster recovery procedures Microsoft has in place to ensure maximum uptime and availability of our entire environment. This means risks regarding network, server or storage failure are minuscule as Microsoft can guarantee an availability percentage of 99.95% on the underlying infrastructure. To cover for the remainder, a template of the complete environment allows the full migration of the entire cloud infrastructure to another Microsoft datacentre within a day if a natural disaster were to occur which could cause our services to be unavailable for a longer period of time.

Where the customer chooses to have SpeechCursor implemented in the cloud, G2 Speech take responsibility for backups. These are aligned with the frequency and scope of those recommended to a customer for an on-premise solution, therefore like for like. G2 Speech also agree to be bound to specific SLAs for service uptime and service recovery. If these are not met, G2 Speech can deliver compensation, to be agreed on with the customer at contract award, based upon the severity of the incident.
Approach to resilience: As our cloud environment is hosted on Microsoft Azure we automatically gain the benefits of the disaster recovery procedures Microsoft has in place to ensure maximum uptime and availability of our entire environment. This means risks regarding network, server or storage failure are minuscule as Microsoft can guarantee an availability percentage of 99.95% on the underlying infrastructure. To cover for the remainder, a template of the complete environment allows the full migration of the entire cloud infrastructure to another Microsoft datacentre within a day if a natural disaster were to occur which could cause our services to be unavailable for a longer period of time.

The entire cloud infrastructure is monitored - including the networks, all servers, the databases and storage facilities, internet facing endpoints, Service and Process monitoring and Operating System essentials like CPU, RAM and disk space. Due to the nature of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft is responsible for monitoring the physical hardware and external infrastructure, and detect and mitigate for example DDOS attacks. Microsoft has various preventative measures in place to fight off these kinds of attacks to ensure their customers (i.e. G2 Speech) as well as G2 Speech's customers are not affected.
Outage reporting: In case of an unexpected outage, G2 Speech will immediately notify its customers individually (via email). We will continue to provide updates for the duration of the outage. When the outage has been resolved, we will also communicate this to the customers (via email).

Identity and authentication

User authentication needed: Yes
User authentication: Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)

Username or password
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Access to SpeechCursor is restricted to those users which have been provided with an individual licence. User profiles are set up in the administration console. Users use individual usernames and passwords to access the solution. The allocation of user rights and licences is decided by the customer.
Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
Management access authentication: Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)

Username or password

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information: No audit information available
Access to supplier activity audit information: Users receive audit information on a regular basis
How long supplier audit data is stored for: Less than 1 month
How long system logs are stored for: Between 1 month and 6 months

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: DNV GL
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 28/05/2023
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Nothing of note.
ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
CSA STAR certification: No
PCI certification: No
Cyber essentials: Yes
Cyber essentials plus: Yes
Other security certifications: Yes
Any other security certifications: Accredited with the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (code 8HN47)

Accredited with MSDN No. DS07020103

Accredited with HL7 0801K46

Registered with HSCN (code 8HN47)

Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office UK

Registered with the Data Protection Commissioner in Ireland

ITK accreditation (certificate no. IAC-0058-20130328)

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
Security governance certified: Yes
Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001

Other
Other security governance standards: • GDPR
• NHS DSP Toolkit
• Cyber Essentials Plus
• UK Data Protection Act; Freedom of Information Act; Common law duty of confidentiality
• ISO/IEC 27701; 27002; 9001; 22301
• IM&T Security Manual and Caldicott; EADMS
• NHS Codes of Practice: Confidentiality, Information Security, Records Management
Information security policies and processes: G2 Speech are accredited with the DSP Toolkit and registered with the ICO. We are ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certified, and have an ISMS in place, which we are regularly audited for. We conform to the guidelines of the European Association for Data Media Security. We practice secure cryptography and are compliant with the Approved Cryptographic Algorithms Good Practice Guidelines.

We have a dedicated Information Security Manager and a COO who oversee the G2 Speech Information Security Policy, reviewing it annually. We ensure the correct measures are in place to prevent: unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data; accidental loss or destruction of or damage to personal data; unauthorised or unlawful disclosure of personal data, except in accordance with the law. We have clear lines of responsibility/accountability with regards to information security and data protection, including cyber security; these are communicated to all employees.

As part of our ISO accreditation, all staff are regularly trained in security standards, including Information Security Awareness; all training is recorded. Employees are not allowed to perform any installation/configuration activities unless they have received this training. Access in only via secure username and password credentials (complexity set by the ISO 27001 standard).

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Configuration and change management approach: Our cloud environment is hosted on Microsoft Azure. The entire cloud infrastructure is monitored - including the networks, all servers, the databases and storage facilities, internet facing endpoints, Service and Process monitoring and Operating System essentials. Due to the nature of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft is responsible for monitoring their internal and external infrastructure. Microsoft has various preventative measures in place to eliminate downtime on their infrastructure.

Changes with regards to the G2 Speech software are always communicated in advance and scheduled within the existing maintenance windows.
Vulnerability management type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Vulnerability management approach: Microsoft Azure is responsible for monitoring the physical hardware and external infrastructure and detect/mitigate for example DDOS attacks. Microsoft has preventative measures in place to fight these attacks to ensure our customers are not affected.

Our cloud infrastructure is monitored. Monitoring includes the networks, all servers, databases, storage facilities, internet facing endpoints, etc.

We have a monthly maintenance window for patching our cloud environment with the latest Windows (security) updates. This is performed by an external company who keep track of the latest security threats. We take appropriate action to inform customers and implement urgent patches.
Protective monitoring type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Protective monitoring approach: Microsoft Azure monitors the physical hardware and external infrastructure of our cloud environment, and will detect and mitigate for example DDOS attacks. Microsoft has preventative measures in place to fight off these kinds of attacks.

We have a monthly maintenance window for patching our cloud environment with the latest Windows (security) updates. This is performed by an external company who keep track of the latest security threats. We will take appropriate action to inform our customers and will implement urgent patches as a high priority.
Incident management type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v3.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Incident management approach: We have a monthly maintenance window for patching our cloud environment with the latest Windows (security) updates. We have comprehensive breach management policies, procedures and processes, including provisions for determining whether a personal data breach has occurred.

Our customers can report incidents by phone and also online via our helpdesk, Kayako. G2 Speech are trained in the ITIL approach (for the management of our services).

We hold regular service reviews with each customer, where we provide incident reports outlining our performance on responding to incidents, against the SLAs agreed with the customer.

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v3.0)

Public sector networks

Connection to public sector networks: No

Social Value

Fighting climate change
Covid-19 recovery
Tackling economic inequality
Equal opportunity
Wellbeing

Fighting climate change

G2 Speech is aware of the need to work with all our suppliers to monitor and reduce carbon emissions. Our SpeechCursor solution supports our efforts in fighting climate change, as follows:

(1) With SpeechCursor, the document management process can be carried out entirely electronically within a third-party application. There might be no need, for example, to print a document and physically take it to be signed. This reduces not only travelling (in cases where employees work at different sites or at home) but also reduces the consumption and waste of paper.

(2) The professional services to implement and manage the solution can be provided entirely remotely, and we are working towards providing the option of a full remote implementation/management for all our contracts - that includes onboarding, installation, testing, training, technical support, contract management, reviews, upgrades, etc. Our employees do not need to travel to the customer's site (unless the customer requires it) for the whole duration of the contract.

(3) All training documentation for SpeechCursor can be provided electronically, including user manuals.

(4) Our cloud solution is hosted in the Microsoft Azure datacentres. This means that we would also be covered by Microsoft’s carbon emission commitments.

(5) We are currently working with our suppliers to align our carbon emissions objectives and monitor carbon emissions. We also inform, train and incentivise all staff on our net zero efforts.

Covid-19 recovery

SpeechCursor supports individuals affected by COVID-19, and assists in managing and recovering from the impact of COVID-19 in various ways:

(1) SpeechCursor can be used by hospitals and Trusts to create clinical documentation on patients in third-party applications, including patients affected by COVID-19. And as the entire document creation process happens in the third-party application, this improves turnaround times, contributing to a time-efficient provision of care to these patients and thus their recovery from COVID-19.

(2) SpeechCursor provides an entirely electronic document creation method; for example, there might be no need to physically print documents for corrections and signature. This avoids the need for close physical interactions from users, and therefore a risk of virus contamination, which can then be passed on to the wider community.

(3) SpeechCursor can be accessed from multiple locations, including by homeworkers (on their personal PCs/Laptops or on Trust PCs/Laptops). This supports users who need to shield or cannot travel to the office due to the effects of long COVID. It also reduces virus transmission risks as users do not need to travel to work.

(4) SpeechCursor can be installed and tested remotely; all training and technical support can be provided remotely. All of this reduces the necessity for us to physically access a customer site and the risk of virus transmission that this could involve (or re-contamination of those already affected by COVID-19).

(5) We have made arrangements for our own staff to WFH: meetings conducted via Teams; in-house training imparted online… – avoiding the transmission of the virus, by reducing close physical interactions.

Tackling economic inequality

(1) Creating new businesses – Any new business which needs to quickly and efficiently create documentation on patients, clients, etc. within a third-party application can rely on SpeechCursor.

(2) Creating new jobs – As SpeechCursor is a very user-friendly solution, it reduces the time and complexity in creating documentation. For an NHS Trust, funding to pay fines incurred for late TATs can be used to hire additional clinical/admin staff.

(3) Creating new skills – SpeechCursor allows users to move from inefficient solutions/processes (e.g. manually-written forms, disparate & limited dictation/recognition solutions) to an entirely automatic workflow within a third-party system. New skills are learned as users move from old work processes to new ones.

(4) Supply chain resilience – G2 Speech provide their products and services directly, limiting the size of our overall supply chain, making it more manageable. There are no issues posed by suppliers in terms of storage and delivery, for example, as SpeechCursor is our own digital product, provided remotely by G2 Speech. We have contingency plans to meet increased or unexpected demand.

(5) Supply chain resilience & capacity – We are always looking for the best suppliers to contribute to our delivery, in particular those with a strong focus on innovation and new technologies. A stringent process assesses new suppliers, and working partnerships are established via stringent contracts. We work in close partnership with each supplier to provide modern and efficient products, with the objective of meeting customers’ requirements. and to identity and overcome common challenges. We monitor security and performance – via regular audits, reports, and meetings with suppliers. We align our policies and procedures, guaranteeing coherence and quality.

Equal opportunity

We support individuals with disabilities by providing a solution which reduces barriers for these persons:

(1) SpeechCursor’s speech recognition technology reduces the need to use your keyboard when creating documentation, as documents can be created and navigated within entirely by voice. This assists those users with reduced mobility. The user can also input large groups of texts/headers with single voice commands.

(2) SpeechCursor adapts to individual speech patterns and accents.

(3) In future versions of SpeechCursor (in the near future), the colour scheme, monochrome aspect and lightness/darkness of the user interface will be adjustable at individual user level, to assist users with visual impairments.

(4) The usage of SpeechCursor allows all users to move to a solution powered by AI technology. This allows all users to learn this new technology. Full training is provided, adapted to each user.

(5) In addition, the solution itself can be utilised by NHS Trusts and hospitals to create clinical documentation in the provision of care to disabled patients.

(6) As a company, we are aware of the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, and endeavour to redress these in our recruitment practices and working processes – e.g. flexible working, WFH options, etc.

In order to tackle workforce inequality:

(1) We offer all our colleagues a clear progression path, with opportunities for promotion and role changes, and encouraging continual training (including through direct funding). An informal work culture allows open communication on career aspirations.

(2) Upon starting a contract, we allocate colleagues to the contract on a rotational basis, so that everyone within G2 Speech has an equal opportunity to gain experience.

(3) We only select and work with trusted, high-quality suppliers. We work closely, regularly meet with and monitor all our suppliers – ensuring all comply with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act.

Wellbeing

We contribute to improving health and wellbeing as well as community integration, in the following ways:

(1) SpeechCursor itself can be utilised by health professionals to create clinical documentation on patients, thus supporting these patients’ health and wellbeing by contributing to their care. Due to the high-quality of SpeechCursor, and as the solution is being continuously developed and improved, this impacts very positively on the quality of the care provided to patients, and therefore in the quality of life of all communities, regardless of where they are based.

(2) Within G2 Speech, our company culture and policies have a clear focus on supporting health and wellbeing (including physical and mental health): indeed, we have open/informal lines of communication, whereby colleagues are encouraged to openly discuss any challenges they might be experiencing, and we are flexible in our working conditions so can accommodate these challenges; we aim to not impose unreasonable expectations on colleagues and include colleagues in many company decisions; we seek to monitor and address any overly negative attitudes which could be detrimental to the work environment; we regularly organise fun, spirit-lifting company activities which also include a physical element, and encourage colleagues to look after their wellbeing, e.g. take short walks at lunchtime to unwind, and during lockdown we organised a team challenge to remedy the sedentary lifestyles experienced by colleagues.

(3) We aim to align our culture and policies with these of our customers and suppliers, thus influencing these organisations in supporting health and wellbeing within their own workforce. In particular, as SpeechCursor is a very intuitive solution, this avoids stress for the users of the solution.

Pricing

Price: £295 to £645 a licence a year
Discount for educational organisations: No
Free trial available: Yes
Description of free trial: A trial version can be provided following discussion with each customer. During the Proof of Concept, the trial version will include free software, but there may be charges for project services, dependent on the requirements of the trial. A trial is typically available for a month.
Link to free trial: To be provided following discussion with each customer.

SpeechCursor - Speech recognition software

Features

Benefits

Service documents

Framework

Service ID

Contact

Service scope

User support

Onboarding and offboarding

Using the service

Scaling

Analytics

Resellers

Staff security

Asset protection

Data importing and exporting

Data-in-transit protection

Availability and resilience

Identity and authentication

Audit information for users

Standards and certifications

Security governance

Operational security

Secure development

Public sector networks

Pricing

Service documents

Cookies on Digital Marketplace

SpeechCursor - Speech recognition software

Features

Benefits

Pricing

Service documents

Framework

Service ID

Contact

Service scope

User support

Onboarding and offboarding

Using the service

Scaling

Analytics

Resellers

Staff security

Asset protection

Data importing and exporting

Data-in-transit protection

Availability and resilience

Identity and authentication

Audit information for users

Standards and certifications

Security governance

Operational security

Secure development

Public sector networks

Social Value

Pricing

Service documents