Whether it be directly or indirectly, you’ve seen an interpreter in action at some point. It’s even likely you’ve had several experiences of your own working with onsite interpreters directly. Have you ever wondered though,
“What about using video remote interpreters?”
As a matter of fact, there are many ways to use interpreters remotely. Video remote interpreting (VRI) just happens to be the most popular method. And there’s a reason.
Although onsite interpreters should be the first choice, they aren’t always an option. Especially as everyone adapts to social distancing rules and remote communication.
Luckily, VRI offers a convenient and professional alternative for managing language barriers in your organization. Convenience and professional communication aren’t the only advantages though.
VRI could also be helping your organization save money on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis.
To help everyone explore the advantages of using VRI, we have identified the top 5 most valuable aspects of VRI, and even how using VRI can reduce costs for your organization.
Take a look at the 5 insights we’ve gathered below to help you determine if VRI might be a good fit for your organization.
1. Video remote interpreters are perfect for short appointments.
Onsite interpreters love the time they spend interpreting. However, what if your interpreter isn’t needed for the whole time you’ve scheduled them?
When you need your interpreter for less time than expected, you could instead be saving money using video remote interpreters.
Here’s how.
For example, if your interpreter expects an hour-long appointment, he/she expects an hour’s worth of work. If that appointment only lasts 20 minutes, odds are, you’re still paying for the whole hour.
Using Hands Up VRI on the other hand, you only pay for the minutes you use. Essentially, the minute-for minute cost of VRI replaces all the one or two hour minimums that many interpreters require.
Bottom line, VRI can prevent overpaying for onsite interpreters during shorter appointments.
2. Your video remote interpreter is always on time
Show up late to your own wedding and you’re in trouble. No argument there.
Although most interpreting appointments probably aren’t as important as your wedding day, it causes problems when the interpreter or the client, doesn’t arrive on time. Not to mention, the expense when it comes to no-shows.
Luckily, VRI is never late. With Hands Up, your video interpreters are there whenever your people need them the most. Even when they least expect the need for an interpreter.
See a live video connection of the Hands Up VRI platform
3. Video remote interpreters don’t need to travel
Onsite interpreter travel time can be inconvenient, and adds up quickly.
Luckily, video interpreters don’t have to travel anywhere. Plus, when you use VRI, you’re only paying for the minutes you spend connected to the interpreter. This offers a way to avoid paying interpreter travel fees altogether.
For Hands Up’s VRI platform, our optimal savings time with VRI is about 45 minutes.
In other words, if you need an interpreter for less than 45 minutes, VRI is less expensive than an onsite interpreter. Not to mention, if you’re paying for interpreter travel, your savings using VRI only go up.
Curious about saving with VRI? Ask our Hands Up team for more information to see if VRI is a good fit for your organization.
4. The convenience of right now
Would you run to the other side of the state to tell your mother something important?
You probably would, but what if you could use FaceTime? It would certainly save a lot of time and hassle.
Let’s imagine you need an interpreter, like, right this very second. In many cases, you might have to wait hours for an onsite interpreter to drive across town, or even across the county. Well, today you have more options.
With VRI, your video interpreter doesn’t have to go anywhere, and you hardly have to do anything to access them.
To put it this way, you can pull up a professional VRI interpreter who is in Costa Rica, in less time than it takes to schedule an onsite interpreter in your own city.
The power of NOW makes VRI quite a powerful tool.
5. Video remote interpreters are ready when you are
Unless you’re literally standing between state lines, it’s kind of hard to be in two places at once. Unfortunately, interpreters are no different.
In your city, county, or state, there are only so many interpreters available in so many languages. As communities continue to grow, onsite interpreters become busier, and more scarce.
Limited interpreter availability can make it hard (or expensive) to provide communication access in the languages you need. So, what happens if an onsite interpreter isn’t available?
Luckily, Hands Up VRI offers thousands of professional interpreters in almost 200 languages. Better yet, all of these languages are available at the touch of a button.
To ensure you always have an interpreter ready, you might consider looking into a reliable VRI platform.
A quick review of VRI benefits
Here’s a quick look at the benefits VRI has to offer.
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- No interpreter travel time / cost
- The interpreter always arrives on time, saving time and money
- More optimal for shorter appointments (45 minutes or less)
- There is not struggle to find a last-minute interpreter when you need one in a hurry
- Access to on demand interpreters in every language you need
Meeting communication standards is important. Just as important, is that there are options available to help you meet these standards. Fortunately, using remote interpreters can help make everyone’s life just a little easier.
Still unsure about VRI?
Here are 8 important questions to ask yourself to decide if VRI would benefit your organization.