Read our latest coverage of CaseMap here.
Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers litigation case analysis software that reduces the learning curve through user experience design (see article below), desktop search software with an Outlook add-on, an iOS scanning app that doesn't require precise alignment, and a nonfiction book summary service. Don't miss the next issue.
OPEN AND SHUT CASE ANALYSIS SOFTWARE
Imagine having to turn a crank in the front of your car to start it, and having to decide between a foot pedal and a hand lever for braking. This describes the Model T, a revolutionary car at the time but now unusable. Few people know about the discipline of user experience, but everyone can distinguish between good and bad (or outdated) design. User experience is especially important in software development. The legal industry has lagged in this area, but the Litigation Solutions group at LexisNexis seeks to change this trend.
CaseMap 11 … in One Sentence
Launched this month, LexisNexis' CaseMap 11 is a popular case analysis application for litigators and their teams that has received a design overhaul.
The Killer Feature
CaseMap 11 doesn't just have a new interface. In addition, LexisNexis' user experience designers have brought the most important features to the surface to make them easier to discover and require fewer clicks use. The designers also rebuilt the help system, and simplified the process of printing reports.
For example, the Getting Started screen lists your recent cases if any, links to new online video tutorials and written documentation, and features a wizard that walks you through setting up a new case.
A Microsoft Office-like ribbon across the top of the screen groups CaseMap's most important features within five tabs — File, Home, Reports, Case Tools, and View. The left side of the screen contains a search box, as well as your Favorites and Shortcuts.
"Well-designed software disappears so that you can work more efficiently," LexisNexis' Director of Product Management Nadine Weiskopf told us. "CaseMap 11 achieves this thanks to our team of user experience designers. Both longtime and new users will immediately notice how easy it is to set up and analyze their cases."
Other Notable Features
The design team also added a significant new feature for power users — the ability to customize the ribbon. You can add, remove, and reposition items in the five tabs noted above. You can also create entirely new tabs. For example, you could create a tab with all the tools you use for a certain type of case. You can restore the defaults with one click so you can experiment with abandon.
CaseMap's primary workspace consists of a spreadsheet-like tables listing all the key facts, people, documents, and issues with sortable columns such as Date & Time, Source(s), and Status. Thanks to the new layout, even CaseMap veterans may find tools they never knew existed such as importing email from Outlook, Bates stamping, clipping relevant material from documents, verifying document links, changing the color of your annotations and highlights, rotating documents, and more.
What Else Should You Know?
CaseMap 11 integrates with Lexis.com, enabling you to add research materials to your cases with one click. A similar integration with Lexis Advance is in the works. Learn more about CaseMap 11.
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