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Technology Barriers Technology Barriers for for
Small FirmsSmall Firms
Technology Barriers Technology Barriers for for
Small FirmsSmall Firms
Tom O’Connor: [email protected] Bayer: [email protected]
Tom O’Connor: [email protected] Bayer: [email protected]
AlexandriaAlexandria
Feb. 13, 2008Feb. 13, 2008AlexandriaAlexandria
Feb. 13, 2008Feb. 13, 2008Louisiana Bar Association
ESSENTIAL BOOKS
●●“How to Start and Build a Law Practice” by Jay Foonberg
●“Flying Solo” - ABA Contributors
●“How to Get and Keep Good Clients” by Jay Foonberg
●“The Business of Law” by Edward Poll
●Visit www.lawpractice.org for ordering information
THE $10,000 LAW OFFICE:4 Users
▸ Computers ▸ Windows Small Business Server
▸ Scanner▸ Network Printer
▸ Gigabit Switch ▸ Firewall
▸ Backup System ▸ Electrical Protection Systems▸ Practice Management and Accounting
Server
● Choose over Workstation● 2GB to 4GB Ram● Redundant Systems● Raid 5 Configuration● Affordable● Harder to Setup● Must have Warranty
Server: $2000
Small Business Server
● Microsoft Exchange● Microsoft SharePoint● Automatic Patching (WSUS● Fax Server● SQL 2005 (Premium
Edition)● Backup Solution● Outlook 2003 to all Users● Monitoring Reports● Access to Workstation And
Data Remotely● Cheaper then Server 2003
WIFI NETWORKING
● Configurations
▸ The most common type is now the faster 802.11g - many laptops come with it already
▸ 802.11n (now called “Pre-N”) is the system to buy when it becomes formally available
▸Causes problems running client server applications
● Cost▸WAP - $10 to $750▸WiFi PC Access - $5 to $100▸Wireless Print Servers - $50 to 300
DESKTOP PC
● Speed● RAM● Sound● Monitors● DVD-ROM● Hard Drive● Operating System● Must have Warranty● Price● Brand
Dell OptiPlex: $1061
LASERJET PRINTERS
●Type ●RAM●Speed●Networkable●Multiple Trays●Brand / Model●Color●Price●Paperless Office
LaserJet 1720DN: $339
Scanner
●Type ●Speed●Software●OCR Considerations●Brand●Model Suggestions●Price
ScanSnap: $339
Firewall / Router
●VPN●Monitoring●Port Forwarding●Antivirus / Spyware●No Home Brands like DLink or Linksys
Watchguard: $390
Switch
●Gigabit●No Daisy Chains●Cat 5 or 6●Most Critical Piece of Hardware
Gigabyte Switch: $109
USB Hard Drive
●Tape vs USB●Easy to Restore●Rugged●Used with Small Business Server●Test Restore
(2) Lacie 160GB: $250
HANDHELD DEVICES
●BlackBerry●Smartphones (Palm)●Smartphones (Windows Mobile)●iPhone (Apple)
●Considerations ▸BlackBerry syncs with Outlook and to check more than e-mail,
you need the BlackBerry Enterprise Server software and Exchange Server!
▸Palm Smartphones - 100% Palm devices - maximum sync ability with legal apps - real-time email with software like VersaMail
▸Windows MobileSmartphones sync with Outlook and Microsoft apps primarily – Easiest to setup and has Push SynchronizationBEWARE BLUETOOTH SECURITY
●Pricing: Anywhere from $200 to $600 depending on the cell service provider and available rebates
OTHER COMPONENTS
● Monitors
● Electrical Protection Systems
● Ergonomics
Backup UPS: $220
The $10,000 LAW OFFICE: SOFTWARE
▸ Word Processing▸ Adobe Acrobat or other PDF writer
▸ Billing/accounting software▸ Case management system▸ Document management system▸ E-mail software▸ Internet access for research▸ Data backup, security and anti- virus software
BUNDLED SOFTWARE
Microsoft Office Basic – Outlook, Excel, and Word, Adobe Standard (docx v doc)
Adobe Acrobat 8 Standard Edition
Upgrade to pro for Bates numbering Dell effectively includes it free with Office
on Latitude and Optiplex systems
Corel WordPerfect X3 Suite Less costly to buy OEM version separately
with any new PC systems
BILLING & ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS
● Most packages are becoming integrated.
● Timeslips requires you to also have an accounting package like Quickbooks or Peachtree
● PCLaw, Tabs 3, Juris, and Billing Matters have billing and accounting functions.
● Legal specific accounting software makes it hard to commit malpractice
PCLaw: $1630
CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
● Combines ▸ calendaring/docketing
▸ tickler functions
▸ case information tracking,
▸ address book functionality
▸ conflict of interest searching,
▸ document assembly capabilities
▸ Palm and laptop portability
● Turn wasted time looking for case info and documents into billable time
● Avoid malpractice
● Look at Amicus Attorney, TimeMatters, PracticeMaster, PCLaw and ProLaw
● Don’t Practice Law Without One!PCLaw: $1630
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
● Opened Ended vs. Close Ended
● SharePoint is a DMS
● Most Practice Management Software include an Open Ended DMS
PCLaw: $1630
Dictation
● Dragon Natural Speaking ▸ Has a legal edition ($1200)
▸ Get Preferred ($199) or Pro ($899)
● Vista has Dictation Software Built into it.
● Tips▸ Must Train Software▸ Use a Quality USB Headset▸ Learning Curve
PCLaw: $1630
WINDOWS XP or VISTA?
=
=
Windows XP Pro is the safe choice and likely to be available through 2007 and well into 2008
Windows Vista still has some incompatibility issues – hold off until late 2007, early 2008
LEGAL RESEARCH
● Get it online!
▸ Dump the CD-ROMs
▸ Discontinue books
● There is no single “best” legal research service
▸ Combine Lexis, Westlaw, LOIS and the Internet
▸ Look at the best small firm packages negotiated by your State or County
Bar
● Resources
▸ LLRX.com
▸ “Fact Finding On The Internet”
ANTI-VIRUS
● Trend Micro Client Server Messaging▸www.trendmicro.com▸Includes anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-spyware▸Available in small office and “Corporate” editions
● ZoneAlarm: www.zonealaram.com
● Norton Anti-Virus www.symantec.com Buy corporate not Internet Security
● McAfee VirusScan: www.mcafee.com
● CA eTrust and Trend PC-Cillin: www.ca.com
www.trendmicro.com
TrendMicro: $330
PRICING
Leverage Web-based PC component pricing engines and save a fortune!
Membership Discounts ABA, ATLA , ALA or
other legal association member
Prices change daily
TRAINING
Top Training Tips
TASK-ORIENTED not FEATURE-ORIENTED
NO GENERIC TRAINING
PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS
TRAIN OFTEN, TRAIN GENTLY
MAKE TRAINING MANDATORY
LIVE IS ALWAYS BETTER, BUT IF NOT TRAIN ONLINE
THE TRAINER’S PHYSICAL LOCATION IS IRRELEVANT
Fifty or fewer employees. In business in the state for at least three years,
contributing and in full compliance with state UI tax laws. Training costs cannot exceed $3,000 per trainee per state
fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). http://www.laworks.net/WorkforceDev/IWTP/
IWTP_Overview.asp
Fifty or fewer employees. In business in the state for at least three years,
contributing and in full compliance with state UI tax laws. Training costs cannot exceed $3,000 per trainee per state
fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). http://www.laworks.net/WorkforceDev/IWTP/
IWTP_Overview.asp
FREE TRAININGFREE TRAINING
Microsoft Small Business Server $2000 PC’s: $1000 each Multi Function Printer $350 Scanner $400 Router $350 1GB switch $150 USB hard drives $250 each Backup s‘ware $200 PCLaw $1600 Adobe Word Processing s’ware Trend Micro Anti Virus $300 Watchguard Firebox $300 $9000
Training
Microsoft Small Business Server $2000 PC’s: $1000 each Multi Function Printer $350 Scanner $400 Router $350 1GB switch $150 USB hard drives $250 each Backup s‘ware $200 PCLaw $1600 Adobe Word Processing s’ware Trend Micro Anti Virus $300 Watchguard Firebox $300 $9000
Training
ONE CONFIGURATIONONE CONFIGURATION
Thank You For Listening! Thank You For Listening!
Gulf Coast Technology Centerwww.gulfltc.org
Tom O’Conner ([email protected])Craig Bayer ([email protected])
Gulf Coast Technology Centerwww.gulfltc.org
Tom O’Conner ([email protected])Craig Bayer ([email protected])
