Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an Outlook-based docketing and court rules system (see article below), two server-based backup solutions for local area networks, an iPhone PDF reader, and an online store for household and office supplies. Don't miss the next issue.
Outlook Does Dockets and Court Rules
Law firms don't just solve legal problems for people. They also provide peace of mind by taking responsibility for deadlines ranging from trademark renewals to court filings. This responsibility poses a problem — which docketing system to use? Outlook seems like the obvious answer since virtually every law firm already uses it. But it's not really a docketing system. Or is it?
Docket Administrator Enterprise Edition … in One Sentence
BEC Legal Systems' Docket Administrator Enterprise Edition (Docket Enterprise) adds firm and practice group docket, schedule, and task management functions to Microsoft Outlook.
The Killer Feature
Although Outlook is the dominant email and calendar solution in the legal profession, it doesn't have many legal-specific features. Microsoft does not make a "Legal Edition" and probably never will.
One solution to this problem is to replace Outlook or at least use Outlook side by side with other software that offers the firm-wide docketing functions you need. Of course, you then run the risk of your staff storming your office with pitchforks.
BEC Legal Systems offers a different approach with Docket Enterprise, which transforms Outlook itself into a firm-wide docketing and calendar solution that your staff can learn to use with minimal training.
"Our software extends the value and flexibility of Outlook in a busy law firm," Laurie Danford, Director of Software Development, told us. "It provides fast performance, relational database security, auditing and customization for each practice group — all within Outlook."
Other Notable Features
Docket Enterprise is multi-directional. When anyone at your firm adds or changes calendar items in Outlook, Docket Enterprise asks if it should designate the item as personal or enter it in your firm's docket and matter system.
Those responsible for maintaining your docket will find Docket Enterprise's automation features helpful. For example, Work Plan templates automate the creation of scheduling orders, checklists, and workflows, and distribute these events to everyone's personal Outlook calendars. Updates, reminders, changes, and cancellations occur automatically.
Docket Enterprise enables you to connect people, organizations, and matters to scheduled events. Thus, you can see the schedule for any given client, matter, colleague, judge, court, etc. Litigation groups can also integrate Web-based court rules provided by CalendarRules.com.
Docket Enterprise builds upon its BEC Legal Systems' Docket Administrator Standard Edition by using CoreRelate, a SQL-based database platform. Built by BEC Legal Systems specifically for Docket Enterprise, CoreRelate is scalable and customizable thanks to a software developers kit (SDK).
What Else Should You Know?
Because Docket Enterprise works within Outlook, your colleagues can also access your firm's dockets from their smartphones. The cost of Docket Enterprise depends on the size of your firm and the options you select. Pricing starts at $125 per user and $995 for the server license. CoreRelate starts at $75 per user. Learn more about Docket Administrator Enterprise Edition.
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So many products, so little time. In each issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The "In One Sentence" section describes each product in one sentence, and the "Killer Feature" section describes each product's most compelling feature. The TechnoLawyer NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
