Archive for August, 2009
A Guide to Netbooks for Law Firms
Posted by Joseph Ficocello in Hardware, IT, Product Review, Strategy on August 31, 2009
Netbooks, or portable computers that are aimed at users who wish to web surf and perform light office tasks, have become the boom and saving grace of the PC market. These small computers allow us to check our email, review documents and connect with business related tasks and the world at large. Law firms are always evaluating new and innovative product offerings, and netbooks can provide a cost effective solution in a desirable, portable device. What features should you look for in a netbook and how can they be utilized in a legal environment? Read the rest of this entry »
How to: Include SmartArt in PowerPoint 2007
Posted by Joseph Ficocello in Microsoft PowerPoint on August 24, 2009
In the land of trial graphics and courtroom visuals, our goal is to condense information as much as possible. A rule of thumb is that information should be treated as if it were a mathematical fraction, continually reducing content to the lowest common denominator whenever possible, practical and ethical. Microsoft PowerPoint has been a tool within litigation since its inception, and few other software applications provide litigators with the extensibility, forgiveness and easy learning curve. While the inclusion of charts and customized visuals have been a pillar of PowerPoint’s success over the years, the upgrade in 2007 introduces a new concept called “SmartArt” which seeks to simplify the development and inclusion of graphical information. Many of the visuals once created with textboxes and custom autoshapes can now be created within a few clicks. Read the rest of this entry »
7 Steps to Smarter Law Firm IT Purchasing
Posted by Joseph Ficocello in IT, Strategy on August 17, 2009
In a recession, everyone is mindful of their expenses, and the legal profession has not proven immune to the pangs of the global economy. IT related services, expenses and purchases typically account for a significant portion of every law firm’s yearly operational budget. In 2009 and into 2010-2011, many of these budgets have been scaled back to accommodate for adjustments in the pace of litigation, demand, and the desire to stay “lean” to survive. Despite this, needs, desires and warranted upgrades still persist. The servers could always be faster. The 400 Latitude E500’s that were purchased could benefit from another GB of RAM. Litigation support would love another IPRO module. Everyone wants their very own netbook because the “brick” of a computer they lug home each night is causing them chronic neck pain. These issues are by no means unique – individuals who work for law firms operate in a dynamic environment that has grown to depend on technology, and problems could be answered completely if money were never an issue. In light of recent economic news, there are 7 steps that any law firm can implement, regardless of their size, user base, location and budget, which can assist them in streamlining their IT purchasing and further control costs. This advice won’t change our existing economy or quell the unknown challenges ahead, but it will hopefully offer a springboard for evaluating existing methods and policies.
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