Maximize your revenue and impress your clients and potential clients by successfully hooking up your realtime connections every time. The Realtime Systems Administrator Workshop provides you with the technical knowledge and troubleshooting skills you need to become the key player in providing realtime to your clients.
Firm owners, freelance reporters, and official reporters, improve your professional marketability as well as your technical proficiency by taking the first step in obtaining a certificate as a Realtime Systems Administrator. The day-and-a-half seminar focuses on all aspects of realtime hookups and litigation support that rely on realtime connections, including the cutting-edge wireless realtime. Learn how to quickly troubleshoot realtime issues, based on real-world scenarios. Explore all aspects of connectivity from serial communication to more advanced networking concepts including wireless connectivity.
In addition, learn how to hook up your client or judge the many vendors that provide realtime technology -- LiveNote, CaseView NET, Summation, Eclipse Bridge, DeNoto, Visionary, Speche, and Teleview, to name just a few.
Please note that due to the nature of this training, attendance is very limited. Registration is first-come, first-served.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Court reporters
- Freelance firm owners/managers
- Freelance firm IT or support staff
- Law firm IT or support staff
PREREQUISITES FOR ATTENDING THE WORKSHOP
There are no prerequisites for the workshop; however, it is recommended that registrants:
- have a basic knowledge of realtime,
- have a strong knowledge of their hardware and CAT/realtime software, with the software loaded on their computer,
- know how to set up and operate their laptop computer, steno machine, realtime cables, CAT software and other necessary equipment; or be familiar with these types of equipment (bringing equipment for the workshop is optional)
- understand that all realtime functions may not be available in older CAT software and Windows systems.
DATES OF FUTURE WORKSHOPS
DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOP
The Realtime Systems Administrator workshop is a day-and-a-half long, covering general setup computer basics (Lexicon, Ports/Device Manager, General Familiarity, Windows XP), connectivity basics (Serial Communication, Blue Tooth, Networking), serial products (LiveNote, Summation, CVN/CVII, Bridge, Visionary, 1360), streaming products (LN Stream, Speche, Teleview, TextStream) and troubleshooting.
REALTIME SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR GUIDE
Each seminar participant will be provided with a copy of the Realtime Systems Administrator Guide. The Guide, which mirrors the seminar, provides in-depth information as illustrated by the table of contents shown below:
Chapter 1: Terminology
Chapter 2: Familiarity with Computer Ports and Hardware
Chapter 3: Windows Tenets
Chapter 4: Serial Communications
Chapter 5: Bluetooth Serial Communication
Chapter 6: StenoCast for Serial Realtime Browsers
Chapter 7: Networking Terms/Concepts
Chapter 8: Serial Realtime Viewers – Part 1 & Part 2
Chapter 9: LAN Realtime Options
Chapter 10: Internet Realtime Streaming Products
Chapter 11: Realtime Troubleshooting Basics
Chapter 12: Troubleshooting Scenarios
Appendix A: Realtime Guidelines
Appendix B: Creating Uncertified Rough Draft Policy
Appendix C: Cat Writer and Realtime Connections
Appendix D: Vendor Documents
Upon completion of the seminar, attendees will be eligible to take an assessment exam in order to receive a certificate. This seminar is approved for 1.0 CEUs.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATE EXAM
In order to take the Realtime Systems Administrator assessment exam, candidates must have attended the Realtime Systems Administrator Workshop. Workshop participants must bring their own CAT system if you wish to take the assessment exam. The exam will include the following elements:
- Reporters bring their laptops and machines and must connect to attorneys’ computers and ensure effective realtime stream.
- Troubleshooting issues on attorneys’ computers that need to be fixed. (Two computers to hook up to with each computer running a different litigation support software.)
- Set up new case/transcript on each computer in LiveNote and Summation (mock deposition notice provided).
- Candidates would have 20 minutes for the Practical Exam, giving the evaluators 10 minutes to reset equipment. Candidate must pass practical exam within 18 months of seminar because of the speed of changing technology.
- NCRA would provide an explanation to those who fail the practical exam so that they can be better prepared the next time they take the exam.
FACULTY
- Mike Miller, RDR, CRR
- Members of NCRA’s Technology Evaluation Committee
WORKSHOP & EXAM COSTS
Workshop
- Member: $400
- Non-Member: $500
Test
- Member: $125
- Non-member: $150
CERTIFICATE RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
All certificate holders maintain their credential every three years by obtaining technology-related training and paying an annual renewal few ($25 member, $60 non-member). There are two options to meeting the training requirements:
- Complete 10 hours of technology-related training every three years, or
- Attend the Realtime Systems Administrator workshop again within three years.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is this a certificate program and not a certification program?
In order to ensure that your credential will be recognized by the public and truly distinguishes you as an exceptional professional, NCRA strictly adheres to the rigid standards for credentialing programs established by the National Organization of Competency Assurance (NOCA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Under those standards, programs like the Realtime Systems Administrator program are considered certificate programs because they test competency in a particular skill set used within a profession, whereas certification or licensure programs (like the RPR, for example) test on the full range of skills and knowledge needed to perform all the varied tasks required of a member of a more broadly defined profession.
This distinction (certificate versus certification) does not diminish the status of the credential in any way. Your NCRA Certificate in Realtime Systems Administration is backed by the same standards of credibility, validity, legal defensibility and public assurance. It is merely a credential of a different category.
Can I use the initials RSA after my name once I complete the program?
Because NCRA adheres to rigid credentialing standards, NCRA cannot award an acronym or letters to certificate holders for use after their names.
However, by successfully completing the workshop and passing the test afterwards, candidates are not only awarded a frameable certificate but are also authorized by the National Organization of Competency Assurance (NOCA) to use the following terminology on letterhead, in advertising, or in other marketing materials such as:
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Credentialed as an NCRA Realtime Systems Administrator
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NCRA Realtime Systems Administrator Certificate Holder
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NCRA Realtime Systems Administrator
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Realtime Systems Administrator
Other seminar and software vendors don’t make this distinction, why does NCRA?
Not all credentials are the same. Nor are all credentials backed by the same standards of excellence and quality assurance.
NCRA chooses to adhere to the highest standards established by nationally and internationally recognized accrediting and credentialing authorities for its certification, certificate and continuing education programs. This assures NCRA members who earn these distinctions that their accomplishment means something and will stand up to any public or legal scrutiny. This assures the public who chose you to provide court reporting and related services that they can rely upon the credential as a valid, independently verified and objective assessment that you possess the skills and competencies you claim to and that you are a professional committed to ongoing continuing education to maintain that competency.
What constitutes technology-related training?
NCRA’s Technology Evaluation Committee sponsors technology-related seminars at NCRA’s Midyear and Annual Conferences. Any of these seminars, as well as other technology-related education that keeps you on the cutting edge of the profession, are acceptable.
How do I pay my annual renewal fee?
Annual renewal fees are due on December 31 of each year. Your first annual fee is due the year after you pass the test. For example, if you passed the test in August 2009, your first annual renewal fee will be due on December 31, 2010. You will receive an invoice for your fee in the fall of each year. If you are an NCRA member, this invoice will be separate from your membership invoice.
How do I submit my training hours at the end of my three-year cycle?
If I attend the workshop, but I do not take or do not pass the assessment exam, do I still receive a certificate?
Attendees who opt not to take or who do not pass the assessment exam will not receive a certificate. However, those attendees requiring continuing education for other certifications will receive 1.0 CEUs for attending the workshop. To obtain a copy of your transcript, please contact the Member Services and Information Center at (800) 272-6272, or msic@ncrahq.org.
I cannot take the assessment exam immediately following the seminar. What are my options?
You must take the assessment exam within two years of attending the seminar.