Keystrokes or Transcend....anyone have an opinion?
Posted By: zzz on 2007-11-19
In Reply to:
All input is appreciated. Need to make a decision some time today. Pros and cons for both, so looking for insight from those who have worked for either or both.
Thanks in advance!
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My opinion of Transcend
I can tell you without a doubt that Transcend is not a good place. The recruiter is a really nice person, but the company is not. They overhire (so they run out of work constantly) and their training process is awful. Think twice before going with them.
My opinion of Transcend is very different..
I have been to a lot of companies and Transcend is deefinitely the best. I just got a thank you card and a lot of gifts yesterday for MT Week. I am a happy camper.
Keystrokes is #1 in my opinion
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Did Keystrokes sell to Transcend? I thought Keystrokes was buying up companies sm
but I heard from another service owner that they sold out to Transcend. Anyone know if that happened?
We heard Transcend is buying Keystrokes next. I'm not working for Transcend. No Way !
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Did Keystrokes sell to Transcend? I thought Keystrokes was buying sm
small companies but another service owner told me that she heard that Keystrokes sold to Transcend. Is this true?
I posted this down below but meant to post it as a new thread. Before I apply with them, I would like to know as I left Transcend a few months ago and do NOT want to get back into that mess.
MQ/KEYSTROKES/TRANSCEND
I am tired of hearing about MQ. Everytime someone posts something (almost every time) it reverts to being a MQ bashing. I think if there are so many disillusioned MTs at MQ, then perhaps the Administrator needs to make a new board one for all the unhappy MQ MT's, because I know most of us are all tired of reading how unhappy the MQ MT's are, and if they are so unhappy find another job. It's not as if MT jobs cannot be found. A good MT can find a job! I have 2, with 2 different companies and I love both companies and I make good money with both companies. I work for Transcend, and think they are a great company, and also Keystrokes, and are equally as wonderful. Lee could not be nicer to work for at Keystrokes, she is honest and upfront about everything.
And if you keep your butt in the chair, you can make money! Give MQ MTs their own board please!
No, Keystrokes did not sell to Transcend.
Not sure how all these rumors get out. Ridiculous
keystrokes does not use offshore help, transcend
uses it a lot- one day you have work, the next day its slim pickins' - and you are left holding no paycheck. Transcend is ruthless and cares nothing about its MLS. It is just there for the dollar and you have to slave over a horrible platform, doing more clerical functions to get far less lines. My advice is to run from Transcend - masters of deceit- as fast as you can.
Transcend? Keystrokes? Good or bad?
 Does anyone know anything about this company? Keystrokes?
Not true. Transcend tried to buy Keystrokes last year. sm
Keystrokes owners turned them down as they are not interested in selling and they are against offshore transcription. They are getting as big as Transcend, maybe even bigger, and they treat their employees a heck of a lot better!
Where do you get these rumors from? Not from anyone who knows.
Keystrokes is not as large as Transcend but they might be in the next few years. sm
Transcend has grown because they keep buying other companies, and Keystrokes does not do that. They have grown every year and still do because of getting new accounts and keeping the accounts they have.
Keystrokes is not in the $50M range; last I heard they were at $15M and will be in the $25M this year due to new accounts. They are very open about this, and also about the fact that they do not take on too much at once just for the sake of growing. They make sure that they are ready first.
Are they the perfect company? No, but they are better than any I have worked at since YOG. I have been at Keystrokes for 3 years. They continue to improve every year and have really worked through the issues they used to have including the insurance. The first year I worked for them, they were an OK company, the second year they were good, and this third year, they are great.
I am impressed with them because they still treat their employees as if they are a small company; we are not just a number to them. I am also impressed that they give more to their employees every year instead of taking things away, like a lot of other companies are doing.
I am happy at Keystrokes, as are over 400 of us. For those that are not or did not like working there in the past, I hope you find the company that works best for you.
Different strokes for different folks, but I have found the company that is best for me and plan on staying!
Transcend, Spheris, Keystrokes, Softscribe can
anybody give me the good and bad about these companies, as well as the platforms they use? I'm thinking about adding on some part-time work to compensate for the lack of work at current MTSO. I know there are a lot of companies out there, but these four seem to be discussed a lot. However, it's hard to compare them when you have to jump all around the boards to find out information. If anybody has other MTSOs besides these four that I should stay away from or definitely submit a resume to, please post that too.
Transcend, Spheris, Keystrokes, Softscribe can
anybody give me the good and bad about these companies, as well as the platforms they use? I'm thinking about adding on some part-time work to compensate for the lack of work at current MTSO. I know there are a lot of companies out there, but these four seem to be discussed a lot. However, it's hard to compare them when you have to jump all around the boards to find out information. If anybody has other MTSOs besides these four that I should stay away from or definitely submit a resume to, please post that too.
Hear, hear! Read My Opinion's opinion.
Regarding Wondering's question, the company I work for is investing strongly in upgrading its MTs' and editors' skill levels (exactly what this says about need for us for ten years down the road I can't say). This morning I found an e-mail saying they would pay every one of us to attend an on-line class on making Expander macros to increase our productivity. Amazingly, I have to assume many employees were choosing not to attend the unpaid ones they had been offering...
Transcend bought MDI, so if Transcend sends work offshore, so does MDI. nm
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keystrokes ad..can someone tell keystrokes their banner ad needs a hyphen...quality-minded
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If MDI-FL is owned by Transcend and Transcend admittingly offshores, sm
then doesn't that make MDI a company that offshores? That's like saying that one branch of a company offshores but another does not, so they are excluded from the offshore label. If MDI-FL is part of Transcend and Transcend offshores, that means that they do.
RE: If MDI-FL is owned by Transcend and Transcend admittingly offshores, sm
Your hypothesis is incorrect. MDI is a wholly independent subsidary of Transcend, therefore, they were not a part of the experiment to offshore to evaluate cost/benefit ratio that Transcend only tried for 90 days (I believe the evaluation process is not still ongoing).
Not only that, but I would MUCH rather work for Keystrokes than Spheris as Keystrokes doesn't
Only Keystrokes. Worked at MQ until I came to Keystrokes. Started at sm
Keystrokes PT, liked what I saw and experienced, gave notice to MQ and went FT. Have not look back since. I had previously worked at 2 hospitals, for MDI, Transcend and MRC until bought by MQ. I plan on retiring here as long as they stay as they are.
No, Not with Keystrokes, visiting friend and using her pc, she got job with Keystrokes
I forgot to change the Name. I do not think Keystrokes is hiring anymore now. Would like some info about Diskriter though.
Ditto, Keystrokes is a wonderful company with wonderful people! I love working for Keystrokes!
I am just not making enough money. They are a great company though, just ask for a back up account.
opinion
 Best company to work for as an IC. I have been with them for 4 years. I could not imagine working anywhere else! Management is great! Never has a paycheck been late. Growing by leaps and bounds!
Opinion
I've been at SS for 1 year now and am making decent at MT'ing. If you get a decent account and learn the ESLs you can make good $ - but watch out for the newbies- its hard and they change the rules constantly. There are new people making more than the old people and doing less for the money, management changes on a daily basis, and you never know who to write to because they don't send out updates or answer questions anyway.
Opinion
I would wonder if it wouldn't be illegal for a company to use such a program (on your personal PC) unless they provide you with some sort of privacy agreement for you to sign stating that they possibily could be monitoring your Keystrokes while logged into their software. I don't see how they could do this legally without first notifying you that they have the potential to do this. Without such notification, especially on your own PC, I would say this is illegal to do such a thing. But that's my opinion. I may be wrong.
In my opinion I like it better. nm
xxx
just my opinion
i think they're e.mail's are rude "big'hurry."
Opinion
This is simply the opinion of the person who wrote it. That does not mean you don't have the intelligence to make an informed decision. Obvious the person who wrote this had problems with 2 different companies. That particular person may have problems with any company they work for.
When you read these posts, keep in mind that if everyone agreed with all of these posts there would not be a transcription company in business anywhere.
I do not know about OSi but SoftScript has treated me well, as will most nationals if you give them your best effort. They want to hire good MTs and expect quality work. Give them that and you will be compensated fairly and treated well.
Likewise...this is simply my opinion. Take it or leave it. 
Opinion
Forget company #3. The problems you mention are valid. Try another one.
As far as QA, it depend. You don't have the flexibility as much as being an MT. One thing I myself kind of miss.
If your getting tired of typing all day, QA is better.
If you enjoy helping others and answering numerous questions and can see yourself as a mentor and teach people everything you have learned and are adaptable to many kinds of formatting issues, than QA is a good choice.
Sounds like #1 or #2 are your better choices.
Hope this helps!
My own opinion
Keep in mind, to use MQ as a reference in the future, I would depart with them nicely. To just up and leave, in my opinion, is rude.
I realize that many people dislike MQ for various reasons, but I like them and have had a positive experience.
Again, I think it is only appropriate to give 2 weeks regardless of the situation, again solely because you want them to give you a good reference if need be!
Hope all works out!
SM for just an opinion.
I'm certainly not going to tell you it's impossible - if you do a good job on the test, they may decide to take a chance on you.
However, it seems a lot of them nowadays want either 2 years' experience or graduation from one of the Big 3 schools, and I've heard many say they have a tough time getting their foot in the door.
I would talk to your school and see what they recommend, who hires their graduates, letters of recommendation, etc - get whatever assistance you can from them.
Good luck!
Your opinion is just that ...
it is YOUR opinion. I have my own. We don't have to agree!
Kudos to you for 8 years and 7 years' service. ??? I didn't ask that. I asked if you are upset with the companies you leave?
I didn't make this personal -- you did with posting your opinion of Spheris.
I don't think I need an answer to my question; I think I already know.
I hope you enjoy wherever you are at. Enjoy your day!
My opinion
You asked, Did I handle this situation wrong? You stated, I feel like a heel for not giving my best.
My answer: Yes, you handled it wrong. You were not upfront and truthful with YOURSELF, let alone with the company. Once you heard the words about offshoring, you should have made your opinion and position known clearly, definitively, and strongly, not taken the tests, not pretended anything, and made fast work to beat a path to the front door, and not waste your time. Your behavior was passive-aggressive, i.e., you pretended, you were not truthful. You should have taken yourself out for lunch after speaking your mind and standing up for yourself. Next time, do things different and learn from this situation.
That's my opinion!
My opinion...
I've worked for them going on 4 years now and plan on staying. I've worked on the same accounts all 4 years (tough ESLs, but after awhile, you get them all and can get plenty of lines---plus nobody wants your accounts and work is plenty--something I have learned in my 25+ years). The pay is good, it's always accurate and on time, PTO is great, and I love not having someone over my shoulder all the time. I've done my rounds at other nationals and this has been my best experience. Each company is unique, you have to see what works best for you.
My opinion
If this sort of thing keeps up, I would most definitely start looking for another job. There's no excuse for any company to do such a thing. It's not right and highly unfair. The minute I found another job, I'd quit and not even give them notice for doing such a nasty thing!!
Everyone has an opinion and you are welcome
to yours but after 10 years of personal interaction with the woman, knowing her professionally and personally, you are wrong about her only being interested if you can help advance her situation. She is very industrious and hard working and I think all of these negative comments, well, it doesn't matter what I think about them as it will not bring any of you any peace.
My opinion...
Personally, if I was an employer, I would not want to hire someone that was not confident in what they were doing. State the facts about your experience. Let them worry about whether you have enough experience!
KS in my opinion.....sm
In my experience the KS platform is easy to use, my rad account has plenty of work and great communication with team lead. Pay is on time and plenty of opportunity to make money.
Be careful with expressing yourself and getting answers with X-Press. I went through the interview process with X-Press over a year ago, they sent me manuals, ready to start but when I emailed my lead, asking the usual few questions about the company, (basically to ease my mind since the hiring process was SO long and had been told conflicting things) she forwarded it to Mr. David and he in turn accused me of being a trouble maker and of slander! It was all very strange.
and that too is just an opinion and U know
My opinion
I agree with you pretty much, although I have yet to find great trained VR files. The worst is when ESL doing VR..It's just scary. You might as well retype the whole report. Every great once in a while I get a really clean editing job that does not require too much time to clean up, but that is not a lot of the time as I work a lot with ESL who try to do VR. If we cannot understand their English, then how can a machine. My opinion is that no one should do VR editing for less then 4 cpl at any time, or you might as well go work at Starbucks for minimal wage, although I hear their benefits are better than what any of the MT companies offer LOL
Just my opinion.
You said they sent a packet that talked at great length about patient and MD demographics that you would be responsible for.
For me, that's all it would take to turn it down. That's work you do not get paid for, usually.
Well that is just your opinion--sm
for whatever that is worth, but that does not give you the right to gode and harass someone who may feel differently. Personally I feel it is more unprofessional and bullying to try to make someone do what they do not want to do, and do not have to do just to pleast your nosey little mind, and then make an issue about it 150000 times on a public forum. Sometimes things are just better off left alone. Get off it already...you have stated your opinion thousands of times on this subject, run the poor woman off this board for eternity, and made yourself look childish and unprofessional. Guess you would beat a dead horse too. JMO.
TTS opinion
I recently joined them and I'm extremely happy there. The accounts I'm assigned are good. I'm doing mostly editing/recognized jobs on my account, I have 3 years experience on eScription so it's quick and easy work for me. Line rate is fine, both for typing and editing, I think it varies by account. Checks always on time, the staff are extremely helpful, set up and training was quick and painless !
Does anybody and an opinion about
The Data Entry Job that is posted on the Job Seeker's Board?
I'm just curious to see what all of you think of the pay.
In my opinion - no
x
My opinion
Outsourcing is not going to stop. There are as many out there who don't tell they outsource as the ones who do (in reply to the comments on the other replies). The benefits at this company I think are excellent, less out of pocket than other companies I have seen. Everyone I've dealt with has been incredibly nice. The Editor pay is good, hourly. I can't comment on the MT pay because I do not know. Email me personally for any other information.
My opinion
I disagree with you that testing for a transcription position, especially medical transcription, should be simply a typing skills test.
While the testing method you've described is somewhat unique, this prospective employer is much more likely to discover when a candidate does not have the knowledge required to perform the job. I have tested for companies that require both a written test as well as a transcription test. The hiring process is not a fun/easy one, and this way there is less chance of making a mistake and having to do it all over again.
Just my opinion
I dont think bashing is always the case, some things said especially about this company are facts, maybe it is venting. Like you said there are pros and cons about every company but there is no need to get upset by a post about a company that you do not even work for any more.
your opinion is
umm unusual. I bet I can guess what network you watch and who your favorite anchorman/commentator is. Reading minds and attributing such sweeping negativity towards workers. The spin is in your head.
In my opinion this
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