In the ILTA 2011 session on Open Source Gurus, self-proclaimed geeks gathered to share their experiences of using open source software in the law firm environment. Topics of discussion varied, from challenges in implementing open source software to cost savings realized from going with an open source solution versus a commercial one.
Panelists included: Nathan Smith, network manager at McKee, Voorhees & Sease; Lance Rea, CIO at Davis & Gilbert LLP; Dale Qualls, director of IT at Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP, and; Jerry Askew, principle consultant at Network Solutions. They took the stage to discuss their individual experiences with open source software.
The majority of the session centered on sharing of a list of favorite open source software currently being used at the panelists’ firms:
ProjectPier – is Linux-based project management software which boasts an intuitive interface for managing tasks, projects, and teams through a web browser.
OpenVPN – is a web-based, open source VPN software with very reasonable pricing. Clients are available for Windows, Linux and Mac. Panelists agreed that software performance has improved significantly in recent versions and that it is a viable, inexpensive solution for creating a VPN at a smaller firm.
ZoneMinder – is an open source video camera and surveillance system which works with most off-the-shelf cameras. The panel commented that the system is very feature-rich, with advanced capabilities like motion detection and split-screen images.
WebCDwriter – Lets users burn CDs from anywhere on your network to a shared CD or DVD burner. One of the panelists commented that this application is very useful for his firm, where many systems no longer include an optical drive.
JBackpack – A personal backup program which allows users to run their own incremental backups by using a simple, Java-based interface. Backup is increasingly important at law firms, and some panelists found that giving users control to store and retrieve their own files led to less downtime in the event of a data loss.
Zend.To – is a file transfer program for sending large files across a network without using email. One of the more unusual features is that it can integrate with active directory. With email restrictions becoming increasingly strict at law firms, this software can be a simple solution to large file transfers.
Bates Master – A solution for Bates-stamping PDFs.
FreeEed.org – A free eDiscovery tool which can pull data from a variety of sources and quickly process them. The panel mentioned that the website has the Enron data posted for users to test out the software.
Synergy – Allows a user to manage multiple computers and monitors using the same keyboard and mouse. The connected machines don’t have to be on the same operating system, and no special hardware is required. This tool is popular among system administrators who constantly split time between computers.
OpenWRT – A widely popular open source router firmware, which allows a tech-savvy user to replace a router’s built-in firmware to gain deep control over their router’s hardware. By utilizing this firmware a systems administrator could effectively save money by adding features to cheaper routers.
The session wrapped up with a discussion of success rates of open source projects. Overwhelmingly, the responses were positive, but panelists cautioned that the right tool for the job should always be selected. The best method for selecting software, they said, is to work backward from end-user needs and then work within budgetary constraints. Sometimes open source tools fit the bill perfectly; other times, a commercial solution is more appropriate.
One final comment seemed to resonate well with the audience: “The thing I like about open source is I don’t need to spend anything to try it out. I can install it right away and see if it works for my firm. If it doesn’t, I can always buy the right solution later.”
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Information Technology (IT) plays a critical role in today’s law firm, being increasingly entwined in the day-to-day workflow of attorneys.
But IT groups often find themselves planning their projects in a “silo”; that is, they find themselves preparing for the IT future of the firm without the input of key stakeholders within their organization. This lack of communications can lead to a variety of problems within a firm, ranging from end user frustration to competitive disadvantage in the market for the firm as a whole.
In their ILTA 2011 session, “Expanding the Technology Strategic Planning Process,” Robert Craig, from Baker Hostetler, Janet Day, from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, and John Alber, from Bryan Cave LLP, spoke about ways to connect the right stakeholders into their planning processes.
Each shared their organizational experiences and challenges with implementing large-scale IT projects within law firms. Though their individual approaches differed, they all had experience with so-called “silo” IT planning.
They shared some warning signs to look for at firms which might suffer from similar problems, as well as steps firms can take to make their IT departments a key center of innovation and competitive advantage:
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Editor’s note: Guest blogger Andrew McLennan-Murray is an applications integrator for Thomson Reuters, Legal.
Economic factors and evolving client culture have forced law firms to adapt their business strategies. At the ILTA 2010 session “A New View of the Automated Law Firm,” several experts gave their opinions on emerging law firm business models and the importance of process and technological automation to firms.
The panel consisted of Gerard Neiditsch, executive director of Business Integration and Technology from Mallesons Stephen Jaques; Jeffrey Rovner, managing director for Information for O’Melveny Myers LLP; Mary Abraham, counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; and Ron Friedmann, SVP in Consulting for Integreon. (more…)
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Editor’s note: Guest blogger Andrew McLennan-Murray is an applications integrator for Thomson Reuters, Legal.
Over the last 5 years, SharePoint has taken the legal industry by storm. Today, most firms have SharePoint installed, whether they use it as their primary intranet portal or in another capacity. Microsoft’s SharePoint is mostly known as a content management system and portal. Three firms set out on an exploration of what else SharePoint can do in their ILTA 2010 presentation, “SharePoint as a DMS: From Heresy to Orthodoxy.”
Loeb & Loeb presented their hypothetical thinking around SharePoint as a document management system (DMS). The firm’s current intranet leverages SharePoint 2007, which they chose due to its ease of use, ease of administration, and ability to organize content and clearly target internal audiences.
They say after their successful implementation of SharePoint as a content management system they began to question whether or not it could be used as a DMS and if they even needed to have a traditional DMS anymore. They decided to reassess what it was they wanted to get out of a DMS in the first place. Based on their research, they came up with the following:
-A DMS should give attorneys the ability to retrieve their document data quickly and accurately.
They asked themselves if they could use SharePoint to accomplish that goal, and they came to believe the answer was yes. Loeb & Loeb will be rolling out SharePoint 2010 in the near future and plan to test it as a DMS. (more…)
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Editor’s note: Guest blogger Andrew McLennan-Murray is an applications integrator for Thomson Reuters, Legal.
Throughout the course of the last five years law firms have been working to deploy universal and enterprise search systems. Law firms generate an enormous amount of data, so the challenge of selecting and searching the right data is often overwhelming.
At ILTA 2010, the session “Successful Universal Search Implementations” invited firms to share their best practices. Among the firms sharing their recipes were Sheppard Mullin, Gibbons P.C., Cassels Brock, Bracewell & Juliani LLP and Howrey LLP. Between them, they covered an impressive breadth of technologies including SharePoint powered by XMLAW, Recommind’s MindServer, Microsoft’s FAST ESP, Autonomy’s IUS, and West km.
Each firm commented on the complexity of the current technology landscape for universal search. They urged the audience to take a hard look at all available options before making a purchase decision. Rachelle Rennagel, CKO of Sheppard Mullin also gave the following tips on ensuring your firm is even ready to consider implementing a universal search plan: (more…)
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Editor’s note: Guest blogger Andrew McLennan-Murray is an applications integrator for Thomson Reuters, Legal.
2010. Law firm clients are more demanding than ever. Every charge, from photocopies to the billable hour itself, is being brought into question.
Throughout the next decade, alternative fee arrangements are going to demand large increases in efficiency and productivity. This fundamental shift impacts all areas of your firm. You don’t just want value from the products you’re buying, you need it.
With library and IT budgets lean enough to be Jenny Craig-certified, one wrong software purchase could preclude you from obtaining other software crucial to your firm’s survival.
Here are some tips I’ve compiled on making sure you get the most out of your legal software: (more…)
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Editor’s note: This post is from Andrew McLennan-Murray, an applications integrator at West, part of Thomson Reuters, Legal. He attended the 2009 International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) conference.
Wednesday at ILTA 09, Richard Susskind, Gerard Neiditsch, and John Alber spoke about emerging technology likely to disrupt the way law firms practice business. According to Susskind, sustaining technologies enhance the way a business works while disruptive technologies challenge a firm’s traditional operating principles.
I attended an afternoon session in which Susskind introduced ten technologies which he believes are going to disrupt the legal community mostly because they challenge the way law firms are used to doing business. Collectively, the technologies will transform the market. Susskind identified technologies which challenge the ways a law firm traditionally makes money.
10 disruptive legal technologies: (more…)
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What’s in a word? The Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th edition from Thomson Reuters can provide both definition and pronunciation through a new Android App. When the word of the day isn’t a word you know, Black’s mobile applications is ready to find that content on your Android.
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We’ve got a great podcast this month to kick-off the New Year featuring an interview segment with attorney Yar Chaikovsky about monetizing patents and the forthcoming impacts of patent reform.
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