e-know.net launches ‘Survive and Thrive Guide’ for legal
Legal specialist e-know.net has produced a comprehensive guide for law firms keen to gain an in-depth understanding of IT provision via the managed service concept.
Aimed specifically at small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), the guide, entitled ‘Survive and Thrive: Unlocking a bright future through managed services’ focuses on how a switch to managed IT services cannot only help firms get through the current recession through cost savings, enhanced budgetary control and the freeing up of resources; but also strengthen operations, service delivery and competitiveness with a more responsive, flexible and functional infrastructure.
Sections cover key reasons to move to a managed IT platform; an analysis of business benefits; an explanation of core deliverables and bespoke options; a process map charting the steps required to make the change; details on SME-oriented packages to help facilitate the switch; and a legal case study demonstrating how one firm has transformed its IT and business capability through leveraging managed services.
Nigel Redwood, e-know.net’s managing director, argues that a read of the guide could be one of the better investments to be made this year.
“The guide is designed to be easily digestible and we think it could be fifteen minutes very well spent. We’re aware that there’s a lot of talk about managed services but for SMEs there’s not really been anything available that’s straightforward and definitive and that tells you exactly what you need to know: why you should consider it, what you can expect, how it works, the steps involved, the costs, what you get for your money, the issues.
The Survive and Thrive guide sets out to cover all these areas clearly and concisely, while making the very serious point that the current downturn doesn’t have to negatively impact on your IT or operational capabilities. On the contrary, we’re expecting managed service users to emerge from the recession in better shape and to be in the best possible position to take quick advantage of the inevitable upturn.”
The guide is free and can be downloaded now at http://www.e-know.net/press-room/white-papers.htm
Legal Inc holds court with Linx effect
In addition to its standard eCourt offering, Legal Inc now delivers an eCourt service designed specifically for criminal or civil cases that are judged to be either highly complex, very high value or related to matters of security.
Linx gives trial teams a single point of delivery for essentials such as pre-trial preparation, court reporting, real-time transcription, external feeds, video conferencing, presentation of imagery evidence, graphics and visuals, eBibles, vetted court operators and experienced court room managers. The onus is as much on people as technology, with only Legal Inc’s most senior and seasoned eCourt staff approved for Linx projects.
Lisa Burton, director of Legal Inc, explains the rationale behind the new offering: “No trial is ever a small or trite undertaking but there are increasingly civil and criminal matters that push the barriers in term of scope, intricacy, technicality and sensitivity. What a trial team needs is a single source eCourt provider with whom it can establish that immediate rapport and trust. It’s about having the wit and nous to quickly and instinctively grasp what’s required; added to the resources and capability to deploy and manage all the required elements seamlessly and efficiently – even in the most demanding, pressurized and involved scenarios.”
The Legal Inc service was used during a successful prosecution last December of a man involved in the London and Glasgow terrorist attacks in June 2007.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We found Legal Inc to be very understanding of the presentational needs of the ?prosecution evidence and extremely helpful in the delivery of what was required in ?advance of trial and during the prosecution case at court.”
For more information on Linx, please contact:
Nick Pollard | nick.pollard@legalinc.co.uk
Legal Inc and Clearwell in partnership deal
Litigation support and technology consultancy Legal Inc has announced an exclusive partnership with US vendor Clearwell Systems.
Legal Inc will be the only dedicated litigation support specialist to have rights in the UK legal market to host Clearwell’s much vaunted edisclosure platform, a top 5 ranking application in the 2008 Socha-Gelbmann Electronic Discovery Survey and one of the stand-out solution at this year’s LegalTech New York event.
Commenting on its addition to the Legal Inc portfolio, director Lisa Burton said: “There have been so many edisclosure solutions pushing themselves forward over the past 18 months that it would be understandable if litigators were a little jaundiced, sceptical even, about the trumpeting of yet another tool.
But its reception at LegalTech merely confirmed our own opinion – that this is as smart, powerful and intuitive a search tool as we’ve seen. We are hugely impressed with its simplicity, clarity and unerring ability to find and excise unwanted data, and we are confident in Clearwell’s own claims that it can lower processing costs by up to 80% and reduce review workload by up to 90%. For those looking to accelerate early case assessments in particular, it offers a compelling combination of cost-effectiveness, capability and control.”
To arrange a demonstration of the Clearwell software, please contact:
Nick Pollard | nick.pollard@legalinc.co.uk
e-know.net makes light of heavy weather
With February’s snow falls, traffic chaos and billions in lost productivity serving as a timely reminder that business continuity is not just about coping with major disasters, managed service provider e-know.net has launched a new solution to help firms maintain normal operations whatever the circumstances – or weather.
Appropriately named ‘Business as Usual’ and offered on a Software as a Service basis with monthly costs per user, it comprises:
> Managed Microsoft Exchange and Outlook, providing secure e-mail access from anywhere and any device
> Managed Microsoft Live Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator, enabling instant messaging, scheduling of calls and meetings, application sharing and audio and video for online meetings or telephone calls
> Managed SharePoint, providing a properly structured file storage area and smart workplace, making it easier for co-workers to collaborate on documents and tasks, whilst sharing relevant contacts and other information
> Managed SMS, allowing users to text mobiles directly from Outlook, including group texting for fast dissemination of news and information
Nigel Redwood, e-know.net’s managing director, is keen to point out the benefits in both exceptional and normal circumstances:
“We’ve seen plenty of evidence earlier in the year of the disruption and costs to business caused by people’s inability to get into work, to travel to meetings or to fulfil their obligations because of others having to cancel. By giving staff the ability to access e-mail and files, to work online with colleagues or clients, to meet and chat virtually, not only do you get round ‘local difficulties’ but you also create a very focused, dynamic working environment.
During February’s snowfalls, users of tools like Office Communicator and SharePoint found that they had more time available because they didn’t have to travel; they achieved more because there were fewer distractions and they could maximise time through clever scheduling; online meetings tended to stick closely to the agenda and adhere to original time limits; they remained in touch with colleagues and clients through e-mail, instant messaging and video-calling; and they could remain productive but flexible in relation to family requirements.
And there’s no reason why these advantages have to stop when the good weather starts. Firms can put these technologies at the heart of their IT and reap the rewards all year round. With more mobile and home-working, increasing travel costs, budgets under scrutiny, environmental drivers and growing pressure to use time as efficiently as possible, there’s an inevitable logic in, and attraction to, connecting, collaborating and communicating online.”
For more information, please contact the sales team on 01952 236 236 or email michael.pickford@e-know.net
Copitrak boosts UK operations
Cost recovery specialist Copitrak Systems has appointed Damian Jeal to the newly created post of operations and business development director.
Damian, formerly professional services director and one of the supplier’s longest-serving employees, will effectively head up the London office, reporting to global managing director Nicholas Child.
Damian will have a broad remit, overseeing both sales and technical departments as well as taking overall responsibility for client service. According to Nicholas Child, his unmatched experience of the company, its clients and solutions will prove invaluable for what is seen as very much a hands-on leadership role.
In a related move, the professional services team, led by Alex Gunthardt, has now been split into two discrete units, ring-fencing dedicated resources for both installations/projects and the helpdesk.
Commenting on the change, Damian Jeal said: “Not surprisingly cost recovery is an ‘in vogue’ technology at the moment and we have a strong pipeline of new installations and extensive upgrades for existing customers. Prompt implementation and accelerated delivery are proving key to client satisfaction, so this remodelling should contribute positively to our efforts to consolidate and grow the business.”
