Wayne Melle, Author at The Maynards Group

DS-2600 – Pro Dictation made simple

by Wayne Melleon 7 November 2018in Digital Voice Recorders, Olympus No comment

OLYMPUS DS-2600 – Professional Dictation made simple and stress free

New to Digital Dictation or looking for an affordable entry into the professional digital market? The Olympus DS-2600 is the perfect tool for you.

For the first time in the digital dictation marketplace – an entry level PRO device features a 4-position slide switch, full color screen and stereo recording capabilities. The DS-2600 has moved the bar in terms of what is considered an entry level PRO recorder.

The new DS-2600 replaces the extremely popular DS-2500 – which has built a reputation over the years as a reliable and efficient entry level offering into the Olympus Pro range of devices. The DS-2600 builds on this reputation by offering a brand-new design, slide switch operation (for the very first time in an entry level device), full stereo recording capabilities (in PCM), color screen and lithium iron rechargeable battery pack. In addition to that, the DS-2600 comes supplied with the DSS Player Standard dictation management software – compatible with Windows and MAC. This user-friendly software gives a complete overview of all your dictations to get your dictations managed easily. It also automatically imports your dictations from the voice recorder to your computer.

Key Features:

4-Position Slide Switch – enables easy and intuitive operation
High Quality Low-Noise Microphone – The new DS series incorporates low noise omni-directional microphones and a shock absorber covers the microphone unit to minimize touch noises from your hand
Directional STEREO Recording – You can record your meetings with ease, but still in outstanding quality.

Comfortable Transcription

If you would like to transcribe your dictations, then the AS-2400 transcription Kit should be your choice. Included are comfortable stereo headphones and a foot pedal to operate the software, leaving your hands free for fast typewriting. The DS-2600 is also fully compatible with the NEW AS-9000 transcription kit.

For more detailed info on this device please follow this link: Info

Olympus WEB SCP – Total System Control

by Wayne Melleon 30 May 2018in Olympus No comment

The recently released Olympus Web System Configuration Program V.7 (Web SCP) is designed for medium & large organizations and contains all the tools required to install, customize, and manage an ODMS environment in Workgroup mode without any hidden ongoing costs.

Olympus Web SCP offers a vast array of features and allows administrators to centrally manage and configure their ODMS environment via web browser. It streamlines cumbersome user management processes and makes it easy to manage user and group profiles in large numbers, allowing for faster and easier configuration. ODMS workflow and device settings can be locked so that organizations can implement a standard workflow for their dictation environment, ensuring total consistency and accuracy. Updating firmware and software can easily be controlled by the administrators.

Olympus Web SCP tracks the use of the Dictation and Transcription Module across the workgroup system. It also allows the IT Administrator to update the license simply by entering a new key, making it quick and easy to add more users to an ODMS environment without affecting the entire system.

The best part of this system is that its purchased as a single once off fee – NO ongoing monthly or annual costs. This means implementing an Enterprise-Class Workflow Solution in any organization is very straight forward and cost effective. It is recommended that any organization with at least 10 ODMS installations (combined Dictation and Transcription) should seriously consider this fantastic management software to help ease the burden of managing their current Olympus system. Web SCP V.7 is compatible with ODMS V.6 and V.7 and can manage the current range of Olympus devices (DS-9500, soon to be released DS-9000 and DS-2600) as well as the previous range DS-7000, DS-5500 and DS-3500.

Contact one of our branches today to find out more about this fantastic software and how it can benefit your organization.

The NEW DS-9500 has arrived!!

by Wayne Melleon 3 May 2018in Digital Voice Recorders, Olympus No comment

New Olympus DS-9500 features intelligent 2 Microphone system, dictation transfer via Wi-Fi, 4 position switch, colour screen with rechargeable battery.

The new Olympus DS-9500 Professional dictation machine offers mobile dictation anytime anywhere with WiFi. Two microphones ensure flawless speech quality in every situation. Use the integrated WiFi to share your dictation instantly with your secretary or speech recognition software. Just connect your DS 9500 to your smartphones’ hotspot or wireless router in your office and send your dictation right after you have finished it. The integrated microphones allow you to record in high quality stereo to record conference or interviews. Besides, the second microphone can be used to suppress background noises so that the main microphone can focus with a high directionality to the speaker’s voice. By this means you are enabled to create dictations as well for speech recognition anytime anywhere both in quiet and noisy environments.

Mobile dictation, secure file management, fast sharing. Your professional mobile dictation solution

You decide when, where and how you dictate. Two microphones ensure flawless speech quality in every situation. Use WiFi to share your files from the DS-9500

Enjoy greater efficiency and more time for the things that are important to you.

Flexible dictation in any environment

In noisy conditions the main microphone is recording in a high directionality mode together with noise cancellation in order to focus on the voice. The noise from the surrounding will be suppressed to a minimum. In quiet situations, no matter from which angle you speak into the device, the omni-directional microphones pick up your voice accurately. In this mode, you can hold the device in your hand any way you like. Conference mode with intelligent auto records in high quality stereo. Recording levels are automatically adjusted to the loudness of different speakers’ voices.

WiFi data transfer to enhance your workflow

Simply dictate and download directly to your transcriptionist via Wi-Fi.

No cables required.

Easy and secure management with ODMS software

The ODMS R7 software allows you to easily share your files with recipients. Prioritise highly important files. Check out how ODMS R7 enhances your wireless dictation workflow.

Your files at a glance

With the workgroup installation of ODMS R7 and Olympus SCP, you can see the status of your dictations in the list view on your DS-9500. The WLAN icons inform you about the transcription progress and let you know when it is finished.

Intuitive operation for full concentration during dictation

The slide switch ensures intuitive operation. The high-quality materials make the dictation machine’s slide switch even more robust and durable.

Efficient working with the Docking station.

The DS-9500 Docking Station provides the seamless connection to your PC. When connected to an Olympus AC Adapter, it charges the DS-9500 in under 2 hours. Optionally, you can connect it with a footswitch and control the device remotely, allowing for hands-free dictation.

Where WiFi transfer isn’t possible, the Docking Station´s LAN connector provides an alternative to transfer files to the network without direct access to a PC.

Secure your dictation device with a PIN

A security PIN protects your data from unauthorised access.

Encryption at a high security level

AES 256-bit encryption provides high-standard data security

For more detailed info on the new DS-9500 recorder please follow this link: https://www.olympus-europa.com/site/en/a/audio_systems/professional_dictation/mobile_dictation/ds_9500/index.html

Initial stocks have just arrived in S.A at fantastic prices – to secure your new device please get hold of your nearest branch ASAP.

Introducing the NEW Olympus LS-P4

by Wayne Melleon 9 February 2018in Digital Voice Recorders, Olympus No comment

LS-P4: PROFESSIONAL audio quality, compact size and metal body – ensures a versatile range of use cases

Hi-Res sound recording and playback in such a small size: The new Olympus LS-P4 Linear PCM Recorder lets professional filmmakers, YouTube enthusiasts, musicians and other users enjoy the sound quality and versatility that the Olympus LS Series is renowned for – in a compact and robust design making it the ideal companion for on the go.

Achieve nearly perfect 96kHz/24-bit recordings that are better than CD quality – but with file sizes which are up to 30% smaller compared to the PCM WAV format.

Out of many use cases, a particular up and coming one is of course filmmaking: in combination with the latest Olympus camera models such as the 4K-video-boasting OM-D E-M1 Mark II and OM-D E-M10 Mark III or the all-new Olympus PEN E-PL9, the LS-P4 is the perfect device to produce professional travel, documentary, event, wedding or music videos with Hi-Res sound or to create excellent audio for YouTube videos.

Sound is 50% of the experience but it sometimes only gets 1% of the budget. Giles Packham, Composer

LS-P4 model packs the advanced technology of the flagship LS series into a portable size. The LS-P series makes high-resolution audio recording possible that goes beyond the quality of music CDs, and the LS-P4 is the first linear PCM recorder compatible with the FLAC format recording which reduces file size without any drop in quality. Not only can you record musical performances both instrumental and choral, but its compact size benefits you when recording outdoors. You can also witlessly play back recorded audio with Bluetooth capable speakers or headphones.

Main Features

FLAC Recording and Playback & Hi-Res Audio
TRESMIC – Three microphone system
7 recording scenes – allows higher customization
A range of on-board editing functions (overdub; fade in / out)
Trimming and Partial erase functions
Voice Balancer (makes smaller voices louder and ensures that louder voices stay below a given level)
Noise cancellation – clear playback quality
Bluetooth compatibility
USB lever – easy to connect without cable
12 European languages (ZOOM has only EN, no localization)
Easier and convenient post-production with Steinberg WaveLab License (included as a box content)

# Available in South Africa within the next couple of months. Contact us for further details.

Rentals – How tied in are you?

by Wayne Melleon 25 January 2018in Copiers, General, Olivetti, Printers No comment

Rentals – How tied in are you?

We at Olivetti Imports, often work very hard at presenting a deal, explaining the pro’s and cons of various options, do test prints, convince junior staff and then senior staff of potential clients to show them how much they can save by procuring our latest Olivetti technology or product .… all the while knowing that they have an existing rental agreement with another brand.

Does this stop us? NO. Should it stop you? NO.

Either it will slow us down – in other words if a device can only be upgraded in 3 years’ time, we can make a few calculations and work out when is a good time to do the upgrade to the new Olivetti – in other words; at what point in time does it become feasible to save money by doing the upgrade and also get better service from a company like Olivetti Imports? Then wait until that time to re-invest our time in the process.

We will work out that there is a short enough time and value left on the existing agreement to buy out the contract. This sometimes can be a little complicated as companies often give skewed settlements. Our recommendation – when asking for your settlement on your existing product – ask for a BREAKDOWN – how did they get to that figure? Usually we offer guidance here and have managed to save our clients a good percentage off the settlement by helping the client stay informed.

Example if the rental is R1000 per month and eight months remain then the settlement is R8000 – right? Sometimes a nominal fee for service may be included or be separate. The only part of that fee that can possibly be accepted is the basic service fee. Some companies build in way too many copies into that basic service fee to make it “basic”. I would say the only fair way of doing this is the rental multiplied by how much time is left and possibly a small amount for service, like R100-R200 per month is possibly acceptable as that’s almost like a “contract fee”. Telling the client that they usually do 5000 copies so therefore must carry on paying for that until the end of the contract, is just not acceptable. We recommend arguing this as it means you are paying for toners and parts too, that you will never use and not just a basic contract fee.

If you are ever stuck with trying to work out what a fair settlement should be, please feel free to contact us!

In an ever changing economic climate, rental application approvals become more and more difficult but there are usually options that can help with this. Eg, supplying all the paperwork in at the beginning, like ID’s of directors, company registration documents and so on are very helpful. Sometimes depending on the size of the company, directors may or may not be asked to sign surety.

Sometimes, even with all this hard work, it’s not always guaranteed that a rental will be approved. Although it’s just a rental to some, the actual process it represents explains this.

In the case of a settlement – the rental house is financing money – no asset that can be retained in cases of risk.
The actual device you rent comes at a cost to the company selling it – they sell it to the rental house, the rental house then takes a number of years to recoup the cost of laying out the money to pay for the device. Once the equipment is out the box and on your floor, it’s like driving a new car off a showroom floor. It loses retail value and if the client reneges on the contract, there is a loss to the finance house, even if the equipment is collected, it’s lost a percentage of it’s original value.

Hopefully this explanation of settlements when renting equipment has been helpful.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further advice on how we at Olivetti Imports can help you save and upgrade comfortably.

Written By: Justine Wittels – Olivetti Imports

Still Shredding after all these years

by Wayne Melleon 2 November 2017in Ideal, Shredders No comment

30 year old Ideal shredder comes in from Lewis Stores for repair at Maynards Workshop

A real “gem” still serving its purpose – A piece of history

When Lewis Stores brought in their Ideal 2205A Shredder head for repair and a functional service, there was a ripple of excitement in our Maynards Workshop, as this shredder had been manufactured in 1987 in Western Germany – Before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and it was still in service!

The shredder was in excellent condition and had obviously been well looked after. But it had been well used and had worked hard over its 30 years of employment as a work horse. Our records show that this machine had never previously been serviced or repaired in our workshop! The Ideal shredder was in dire need of a service (clean out and re-greasing the bearings); otherwise just the shredder belt needed tightening.

Maynards Office Technology has been the sole importer of Ideal Shredders from Germany for over 50 years. We have always bragged about the precision engineering of the Ideal shredders and the ability of these machines to do the “hard yards” in the workplace, and this is clearly true.

I remember watching the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989 on TV with a real feeling of hope; it seems now that this was eons ago. It is wonderfully reassuring that the products which we have supplied during a previous “almost forgotten” era are still out there in the market doing their job.

Ideal Shredder 1

Ideal Shredder 2

CHANGES AT MAYNARDS HOUSE IN CAPE TOWN

by Wayne Melleon 30 October 2017in General No comment

Moving our Ground Floor Showroom to loftier heights and revamping our First floor.

Letting of the Ground Floor Retail Space to “Sport n Surf” from November 2017

There comes a time when change is inevitable. People no longer window shop for Office Automation (and many other products these days). By moving our Maynards Office Technology Showroom up to our Fifth floor, we have freed up the fantastic retail space that our building offers at street level in the CBD (on the “Tourist Corridor”).

Sport n Surf (previously located in Long Street) will be opening their doors downstairs (at 78 Loop Street) early in November, offering their trendy surf wear and surf accessories. They will be partnering with our neighbours “The House of Machines” to offer great coffee and other delectables out on the Shortmarket Street side walk, ala Paris style.

The good news is that after 95 years of servicing the office product needs of businesses in Cape Town, and throughout South Africa, we are still here – Leading the way.

The Maynards Group has relocated its Reception to the First floor of Maynards House. This may be accessed through the entrance at 80 Shortmarket Street in Cape Town. Stationery orders may be collected and machines brought into our Workshop for repair may be handed in, at our Reception on the First floor.

We continue to import and distribute the Olivetti, Olympus and Ideal brands which Maynards Office Technology endorses with unrivalled service and support.

We would welcome clients and prospective clients to visit us, and to view our fabulous range of Office Automation products. Product Demonstrations may be arranged in our Fifth floor showroom.

“The first cut is the deepest” – What to look out for when choosing a Guillotine

by Wayne Melleon 18 September 2017in Ideal No comment

When using a guillotine, cutting with precision is imperative in order to minimize waste.

The safety of the operator is even more important! In situations where an operator is exposed to risk of injury, IDEAL guillotines are disabled temporarily from cutting.

IDEAL guillotines not only stand out for their quality but also for their unrivaled commitment to safety during operation. Not only are guillotines used for cutting paper (and cutting off heads in the old days), they are also used industrially for cutting plastic.

Our IDEAL 4305 manual office guillotine with a 430mm cutting length for formats up to A3 in size – providing for particularly high operational safety, which does not disturb or slow down the working process. IDEAL guillotines are recognized throughout the world for their superior features and longevity of operation.

By way of reference, the company FLIPFILE have recently purchased ten IDEAL 4305 guillotines for their production of plastic sleeve books, known as Flipfiles. The finishing process that requires trimming of hundreds of these books daily requires precision and ease of use. The IDEAL 4305 machine enhances operational safety, and offers exceptional reliability and durability.

The all metal construction of the IDEAL 4305 guillotine gives the machine its strength; its blade width is made from German Solingen steel which cuts sheets of paper in stacks up to 40mm. Designed as a table top machine, a stand for an the IDEAL 4305 guillotine is optionally available. The blade changing device with a covered cutting edge allows for safe and convenient blade change from the front without removing the machine covers. Even the cutting stick can be turned or replaced easily from the outside of the machine.

With a narrow cut of 34mm and table depth of 435mm the adjustable blade guides, made of hardened steel come with side lay measuring scales in mm and inches. The back-gauge comes with fine adjustments of measurement that are done with a calibrated scale on the spindle guide operated on the hand crank.

The IDEAL 4305 guillotine has dimensions of 400mm height, and width and depth of 880mm. It is the perfect hand operated guillotine for your office or factory cutting requirements.

IDEAL guillotines have been imported and distributed throughout Southern Africa by Maynards Office Technology for the last sixty years.

Written by: Quinton Isaacs

Olympus Dictation App – A crucial part of the Dictation Puzzle

by Wayne Melleon 7 June 2017in Digital Voice Recorders, Olympus No comment

Olympus launched the Dictation App / ODDS system in late 2013 to much fanfare – initial write up – NEW Olympus Smartphone App. The response however to the new product wasn’t overwhelming – which was understandable in a traditionally conservative professional market place. Over the past 2 years the solution has really started to gain traction with many clients testing and implementing the system within their businesses.

Robbie Dent of Hopelands Clinic in Durban (our single biggest user of the APP) had the following to say about the offering:

“We have been using the Olympus Dictaphone APP now for a few months. As a busy medical practice of 12 consulting oncologists we cover a large area and do many away clinics. Having the APP on our phones has been a huge time saver for us as we are able to dictate letters/notes immediately without having to carry a Dictaphone with us and then wait for the letters to go through to the typist when we dock the Dictaphone. This means that urgent letters are sent to the typist immediately and this cuts down on the lead time for letters getting out.

We would very highly recommend the Olympus Dictaphone APP.”

As was the case for Hopelands Clinic – one of the biggest benefits of the Dictation App in conjunction with ODDS (Olympus Dictation Delivery Service) is the massive amount of time certain professionals can save in having urgent dictations transcribed. It’s the perfect companion for your tried and tested Olympus Digital Voice Recorder and the integration between the two is seamless.

It’s important to bear in mind that this APP is NOT designed to replace your current handheld Voice Recorder; instead it’s designed to compliment it. This will allow a busy professional who has the need to work out of the office to complete urgent dictations and send them off for transcribing straight away – regardless of where they are.

IF this is something you feel could revolutionize your business please contact us to set up a FREE trial on the system – you wont regret it.

What is SEARCHABLE PDF & how can it make your life easier?

by Wayne Melleon 6 June 2017in Olivetti, Printers, Scanners No comment

A Searchable PDF is actually a PDF image file. The data is not static (like a photocopied sheet is) as the document has the ability to contain several layers of information i.e. image layer and text layer.

However a PDF created by a scanner on your multifunction device is like a photocopy on your screen. It’s not editable or searchable as it’s much like a photocopied piece of paper. You cannot search for a word or a phrase, even if you use a PC. If a PDF was created by typing a Word document and then turned into a PDF with a converter you can effectively press the “search” icon and find a word or the phrase you require. In other words these converted PDF’s usually have layers so the data is searchable.

If you decide to add the Searchable PDF option when deciding on what options to procure for your Olivetti network printer and multifunction device, this allows for a scanned PDF to become searchable! This option is actually a module built into the FIRMWARE of the copier – in other words, it will be in the menu / software built into the Olivetti device itself.

A great feature, when a PDF is searchable, is that you can search using your OS explorer for a phrase and all the documents relating to that phrase will list. This applies to PDF just as it would to Word or Excel. Therefore it gives you the ability to search for files and not solely search for data in a file that is already open.

Searchable PDF is a popular request by government departments and companies where most of their paperwork is scanned, especially on units like the Olivetti MF552.

Post By: Justine Wittels – Olivetti Imports SA

Author: Wayne Melle