IRIS has announced a raft of upgrade deals... Elmhirst Parker LLP – a new firm created as a result of the merger between Parker March and Elmhirst Solicitors – have selected IRIS Law Enterprise for their new case and practice management systems platform. Parker March were longtime IRIS (Videss) Legal Office users, while Elmhirsts ran SOS. The new firm will have 63 staff, including 20+ fee earners. Another longtime Videss site – Ison Harrison, which has over 140 staff – has also announced plans to upgrade to IRIS Law Enterprise.
Two other deals to report are: Dover-based Mowll & Mowll (24 staff & 6 fee earners) is upgrading to IRIS Law Business – the firm is a longtime IRIS (Mountain) Foxpro user. And, Howells in Yorkshire has bought the IRIS Meridian Law Connected RAGFS (Revised Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme) application as a hosted services solution to support its legal aid billing in the post-Carter environment.
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Friday, February 27
IRIS announce latest deals
by
Charles Christian
on Fri 27 Feb 2009 10:22 GMT
Wednesday, February 25
February issue of Legal Technology Insider (UK & EMEA edition) out now
by
Charles Christian
on Wed 25 Feb 2009 12:00 GMT
The February issue of the Insider newsletter is out now. One story we think will stir up interest is the news that Workshare is end-of-lifing its DeltaView redliner product AND now working with ABBYY to add PDF functionality to the next version of its Workshare Professional system – the successor product to DeltaView. Cue DocsCorp and other competitors saying 'but we already offer that now'.
Tuesday, February 24
LSSA updates its code of conduct
by
Charles Christian
on Tue 24 Feb 2009 12:06 GMT
The UK's Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) has today announced a revision of its Code of Practice with regard to the provision of hosted services, as well as the safety and integrity of customers' data. The revised Code will also cover the facilitation of data formats which can be accessed by the customer, as well as new rules regarding how data transfer is handled.
Although most of the Code's general requirements – as well as the rules governing working relationships between members, and the guidelines regarding the handling of complaints – have remained unchanged, the LSSA felt that some of the specific requirements set out in its Code of Practice needed to be amended. In particular... • Where services are supplied by means of a hosted service, the Code of Practice now states that all Members must take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety and integrity of their customers' data, and must also make available to customers a copy of their data upon request, both during the term of the contract and at the point of termination. In addition, LSSA members will be obligated to supply the customer’s data at the end of the contract (in an agreed format) free of charge. • LSSA members must also make clear in what format data will be supplied (or made available for download) and must inform customers at the outset if they need to have particular software in order to read the data. Also, in the event of contract termination, LSSA members will need to make clear how long the data will be retained by them. • LSSA members who provide customers with physical media backups will now also need to make clear at what cost (if any), and at what frequency, requests for backups can be made. Members must also ensure the safe transit of data between themselves and the customer, and also ensure that the data is supplied in a reasonable time when requested. Monday, February 23
E-Homebuying Forum publishes its blueprint
by
Charles Christian
on Mon 23 Feb 2009 16:21 GMT
The E-Homebuying Forum, which is leading calls for the modernisation of homebuying in the UK, has today released its blueprint for success. With support from across the industry, the Forum has set out what it believes are the most important goals to ensuring a better, more effective and reliable process for all parties. (You can find more details about the blueprint by clicking on the attached PDF file.)
Mark Riddick, chairman of the Forum, said: “For most people, buying or selling a home is the most important financial transaction they will undertake. For too long it has been slow and unpredictable. Our aim is to outline the requirements needed to achieve ‘faster certainty’ for all parties so that buying a house is no longer the headache that it used to be” The three foremost aims of the Blueprint are: Greater transparency Greater efficiency Greater commitment Riddick believes that the key to achieving these aims lies in a greater commitment to technology: “People should be able to manage everything through their computers. The Forum envisages an environment where with just a few clicks of the mouse consumers would be able so see how far along the process is, what needs to be done next, and who needs to do it” The Forum’s blueprint also includes specific measures for meeting its goals, which include ways to improve consumer confidence such as the provision of ‘up-front’ information and surveys and legally binding pre-contracts and pre-qualified buyers. Mark McLaren from Which? said: “Buying a house is still a process fraught with uncertainty. This leads to unnecessarily high cost and potential delay, all making it a highly stressful experience for consumers. Which? thinks all businesses involved in the home buying process must take some responsibility to better inform consumers about the process of buying a home while at the same time work towards a truly modernised system actually designed around consumers.” The E-Homebuying Forum has members from across the homebuying spectrum including banks, lawyers, estate agents and technology providers demonstrating the commitment of all stakeholders to the future of e-homebuying. Catherine Williams from PISCES, which maintains open standards for property related data exchanges, said: “This is a really positive step forwards. The data standards and technology needed to make significant efficiency improvements already exists. What is missing is the collaborative will to implement it. The E-Homebuying Forum should be applauded for encouraging representatives from every corner of the homebuying market to agree on these tangible, achievable measures to improve the homebuying experience.” FAQs • The E-Homebuying Forum was established in April 2008 in order to bring together a group of like-minded companies and individuals who have a commercial interest in the home-buying and selling process, and who are interested in effecting real change within both industry and Government to speed up property transactions. • The Forum intends to build on the Government’s vision of easier home buying and selling, first announced in 1999, to ensure modernisation of the home buying process – by harnessing technology to facilitate marketing, investigating and transferring residential property with greater ease, security, transparency and minimal environmental impact. • The E-Homebuying Forum has signed memoranda of understanding with the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) and PISCES, and has received support for its aims from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Which?. • For further information on the E-Homebuying Forum visit www.e-homebuyingforum.com  1 AttachmentsSaturday, February 21
Centaur Media issus profits warning
by
Charles Christian
on Sat 21 Feb 2009 10:49 GMT
Centaur Media, the B2B publisher best known in the legal market for The Lawyer magazine, has issued a profits warning, following falling recruitment advertising revenues. The company says they are down by one-third on last year however Tempus in today's Times Online suggests the real figure may be in excess of 60%. Having turned in profits of £18m last year, one analyst has revised Centaur's profit expectations for this year down from £10.4m to £3.5m.
Tuesday, February 17
Wales? Is that on the District Line?
by
Charles Christian
on Tue 17 Feb 2009 10:28 GMT
As we've reported many times before, government legal departments and IT projects don't mix – they always run late, are way over budget and its usually the taxpayers who have to pick up the pieces. The latest fiasco concerns the LIBRA system that is intended to centralise records in magistrates courts in England & Wales – and to issue summonses.
After taking the best part of a decade to develop (we know, they could have done it in Sharepoint in 6 months) the system went live in December – a bargain at £447m although the original budget was £187m but, hey, what's a £260m overspend when its not your money? But, now a problem has been spotted. Remember that original brief: to issue summonses in England & Wales? It seems someone in Whitehall failed to realise that a lot of people use the Welsh language in Wales and forgot to include in the contract a clause to provide a built-in translator for English-to-Welsh documents. The net result is that since LIBRA arrived, the Ministry of Justice has been forced to translate summonses manually on request, and officials there will continue to do so until the problem is fixed – hopefully in September. The cost of the upgrade work is expected to be another £4m. Monday, February 16
Help wanted - library systems
by
Charles Christian
on Mon 16 Feb 2009 10:33 GMT
The research librarian in the KM department of the London office of a Very Large Global Law Firm has written in with the following question...
"I am seeking any recommendations for business/news current awareness management software, similar to Magus. We are carrying out a review of our systems." Discuss Friday, February 13
Staff changes - the latest
by
Charles Christian
on Fri 13 Feb 2009 12:08 GMT
It's still 4:00am in the morning on the West Coast so its too early for a comment from Elite however we have had confirmation from LexisNexis that Aamir Yusuf (Head of Development) has resigned. He's got 3 months notice (or gardening leave) to work out and then he'll be joining IRIS.
The other name mentioned – Matt Gegg – is the new head of professional services (effectively in charge of customer delivery and implementation) who joined this week. His track record includes time with SAP. Thursday, February 12
New appointments at LexisNexis
by
Charles Christian
on Thu 12 Feb 2009 09:53 GMT
LexisNexis this morning announced two new senior appointments to its Practice & Productivity Management business (aka the old Axxia & Visualfiles businesses). Peter Dye joins LexisNexis as Commercial Director, Corporate and Public Sector, and Bob Hadingham takes on the role of Commercial Director, Large Law.
"Following the acquisition and integration of Visualfiles and Axxia, these new appointments form part of a single, unified LexisNexis business that is positioned as a premium provider of integrated case, matter and practice management solutions to each of its identified market segments and sectors. "As Commercial Directors, both Peter Dye and Bob Hadingham are responsible for product line strategy, product planning and roadmap development, and financial management of the business in their respective market segments. They will both report directly to Tim Cheadle, General Manager, LexisNexis Practice & Productivity Management business. "Peter Dye brings with him over 20 years experience in the IT/software industry. Prior to this, Peter was Director of Product Management with CA Inc. and European Solution Strategist at Concord Communications Inc. for nine years. In these customer-focussed roles, he was responsible for communication with customers from inception through to product delivery and ongoing relationship management. "Bob Hadingham was previously Technology Champion at LexisNexis, where he worked closely with clients to drive the design and creation of applications to meet their needs. Of the 26 years he has been working in the IT industry, 18 years have been in the legal sector. He has been associated with Axxia since 1995, when he participated in the management buy-out that spun Axxia Systems from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). At the time, he became Support Director for the business and subsequently Development Director. "Cheadle commented, “As part of the senior team, Peter and Bob will play a crucial role in ensuring our business is closely aligned with the needs of our target market segments and delivers the product options, services and enhanced support to fulfil customers’ individual requirements. We are delighted they are on board and wish them the best in their new roles.” Note: despite the similarity in names, the LexisNexis Peter Dye should not be confused with long-time Quill Computer Systems' director Peter Dye. Friday, February 6
And yet more on Islington
by
Charles Christian
on Fri 06 Feb 2009 15:28 GMT
And here's another comment on Islington – and from another of those PMS guys – here's the release from SOS...
"Clearly not quantity but at least some quality at Legal IT 2009 this week "SOS has reported that although attendance was clearly down over the two days at Legal IT 2009 in Islington this week, some consolation could be had by the fact that those delegates from firms that did brave the elements to attend were giving serious consideration towards new legal software, despite the current economic climate. "David McNamara, managing director of SOS, explained: "This week, we have met with more firms who have been affected by the consolidation of legal software supplier companies which has been taking place over the past 24 months or so. Quite simply, development of their existing software has come to a halt with its support now limited and with a cut-off date also, so they are seriously reconsidering their options and moving to entirely new software." Whilst this has not come at a good time for most firms, SOS has already proved a very good move for other firms facing this predicament, with operational and efficiency gains more than justifying the move to a completely new integrated system. "The fact we have good software is one thing," says McNamara, "but being able to provide the assurance of long term product development and support of our software and clients is proving equally important in their decisions to switch to SOS." |
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