The top few CAT systems are all fairly popular. With CaseCAT, each newer version supports anything behind it, and if you're going to purchase new, you'll have basically full access to CC users. I haven't checked everyone's setup yet, but I think it's a no-brainer move for all of the vendors. I know you can use older software and still scope, but you'll lose functionality and in some instances the reporter may have to fiddle with things on finalizing the transcript.

You can go cross-platform with conversion software also, but, again, you may or may not lose functionality -- like the ability to update globals, in the worst instances.

Another consideration would be the nature of the work. For example, it seems to me that some systems are more oriented toward realtime than others. You can do realtime over the 'net but it's a very young technology and not really ready for the scoping masses. However, it's possible that there's a shortage of scoping support for realtime reporters in your area.

I would recommend checking your area to see what people are using, then go from there. When it comes to scoping, you might find that most reporters are on CaseCAT but there's lots of people on Eclipse, for example, and everyone on CaseCAT has a scopist but there's a need in the Eclipse side simply because most scopists are on CaseCAT in your area.

Hope that helps.
- Charley

"If you always tell the truth, you won't have to remember what you said!"

Thank you Charley for some good information/advice.  I really appreciate it.

Jen