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NETWORK PRACTICE SUPPORT DATABASES

Strategic Use of Information and Information Overflow in the Law Firm

The need to enhance strategic use of information and the necessity of dealing with information overflow represent the twin dilemmas of the computer age to the practicing lawyer in the mid-1990's. It is increasingly common for the practicing lawyer to have an abundance of significant information available, but to find it difficult as a practical matter to access and use the information for management purposes or to gain an advantage in substantive practice.

Consider the typical situation where information about clients and matters is maintained in a variety of paper and computerized forms, ranging from desk calendars, traditional paper files, word processing files, information in computer databases such as accounting, calendaring, billing systems, document generators, real estate forms managers, litigation support programs and other typical forms. The time required for an attorney or paralegal to search through these separate sources results in use of data that is inconsistent and time consuming. This not only wastes resources in the performance of required tasks, but acts as a deterrent to using the firm's information in a more efficient and strategic manner.

Solution - Consolidate Information into a Network Practice Support Database

A network practice support database consolidates information concerning clients, their matters, and other firm / department information. Why is this so valuable?

Access to, and use of, information about the client and the firm or department's internal information is made easier and clearer. The single most significant factor in gaining that clarity is that centralization permits relatively uniform methods of entry and view of information. This makes the system easier to learn, lowering error rates and user frustration. The effect on the organizational maintenance of the system is dramatic as well, allowing the system to be operated by non-programmers. Note that this does not mean that such users need not be educated; training is still a key to successful system implementation of any kind.

The easy, practical access to information which is enabled through these techniques makes the system exponentially more useful to the firm or legal department as a whole. Further, experience indicates that there is a certain critical mass beyond which the system gains strategic significance, and can be used to gain substantive advantage, both in terms of enhancement of the practice and superior positioning for client marketing.

Network Practice Support Databases on the Lan

LAN technology has become affordable as it has matured, enabling law firms and legal departments of all sizes to obtain its benefits. Combined with the fact that PC's have grown so powerful so quickly, consolidated, powerful data handling has become a practical reality in the relatively recent time period.

One of the most compelling reasons for a LAN is to obtain the power and capability of a consolidated network practice support database. Because centralized databases must be closely aligned with the practice structure and rules, design and implementation are critical. The resulting consolidation, properly established, can lead to less redundant and more efficient use of client and internal information, more efficient workflow patterns, lower data maintenance costs, and the intelligent use of information for strategic advantage in the law practice.

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