Using extranet techologies to migrate systems

Recently, we completed an interesting project to store and host a document database for a client within our structure. One of the potential benefits for the client is that we will be able to host and store and provide access to their litigation document database at a monthly cost considerably lower than that generally available on other commercially available systems and solutions. This is a nice example of how, using technology, a professional services firm has the opportunity to provide value and service to a client in areas other than their primary competency.

Web Collaboration Briefing Center

Information Week has set up an interesting Web Collaboration Briefing Center. There are numerous whitepapers available discussing the field, covering success stories and challenges, benefits and costs, and many other salient topics. It's a nice overview of the area of collaboration -- not of legal extranets but collaboration tools and technologies in general -- if that is of interest to you.

On a lighter note, Chelsea overcomes a 1-0 deficit to win on the road with Lampard and Drogba saving the day (as usual) while United draws again and loses Ronaldo for three games. Didn't see the cardable offense yet but from what I read it was a no-brainer for the referee. Now United has face City without Rooney and Ronaldo. Doesn't get much better than that !!!!!!!!

Using Blogs to Further One's Career

There is an insightful article on CIO.com dated August 10, 2007 on this topic.

The article points out that blogs are a great way to showcase one's writing skills and to allow readers to learn a bit more about one's personal interests.

Of course, there are some interests which one should omit from blogs -- such as political or social opinions on polarizing issues.

All in all however, the article presents some interesting ideas and things to consider for those who either do publish a blog or are considering publishing a blog.

Using Extranets To Promote Law Firm Practice Groups

Recently, we implemented another extranet to help a new law firm practice group promote their practice. The practice group collects content from various sources, using various newsfeeds and alerts generally available on the internet, and provides their perspective on recent happenings in law and in the public domain associated with the new practice group. It is their hope that by providing prospective clients access to this information repository, that they will demonstrate their expertise and knowledge in their area of law and develop clients using this portal.

An Introduction to Service-Level Agreements

Cio.com has a good article and primer posted about SLA's (Service Level Agreements). Whenever a law firm is considering implementing a legal extranet system (or using any other software or vendor service) many of the principles in this article (e.g. setting appropriate metrics and standards of service, monitoring the service levels, measuring uptime and downtime, response times for service based on classes of problems) are vitally important. It's a good idea for anyone working with vendors to have an understanding of these principles.

Technolawyer E-Book

The TechnoLawyer eBook Was Downloaded 5,000 Times in First 36 Hours of Release

New York, NY (August 1, 2007) — Shortly after midnight on July 30, 2007 it started. Fittingly, Blawg Review, an anonymous legal blog (blawg) that hosts a weekly best of the legal blogosphere, made the new TechnoLawyer eBook, BlawgWorld 2007 with TechnoLawyer Problem/Solution Guide, available to its readers as a free download.

In all, 60 blawgs and one email newsletter network offered the eBook to their respective
readers. The result of this event — 5,000 downloads of the eBook in the first 36 hours.

Agile Software Development

Looking at CIO.com, there seems to be a lot more discussion and articles about agile software development (vis-a-vis Waterfall development) and a shift more towards shorter life cycles, a diminished reliance on written requirements vs. face-to-face communication and shorter bursts of communication between clients and IT professionals as well as amongst the members of an IT development team. It also seems as though this method of working is becoming more acceptable (not just "undisciplined" vs the "disciplined" waterfall model). Should be an interesting topic and debate to continue to watch.

Case Management

Recently, we seem to be using our technology to convert more and more Access (and other PC based) technologies into web-based solutions. Most of the work seems to be related to case management document, construction of document repositories and the management of case / litigation calendars.