The document discusses essential technology for a low-cost $10,000 law office, including recommendations for hardware, software, networking, security, training and pricing. It recommends a system with 4 PCs connected via a small business server with backup, a multifunction printer, scanner, firewall, switch, word processing and billing/accounting software like PCLaw which provides an integrated case management system and document management for around $10,000. It also discusses options for remote access, legal research, training resources and discounts.

1. Low Cost Office Technology Essentials Tom O’Connor: toconnor@legal-edocs.org Craig Bayer: cbayer@lawot.com Louisiana Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Conference New Orleans May 9, 2008

2. ESSENTIAL BOOKS ●● “ How to Start and Build a Law Practice” by Jay Foonberg ● “ Flying Solo” – Bill Gibson ● “ 2008 Solo & Small Firm Legal Technology Guide” –Nelson, Simek & Maschke ● “ The Business of Law” by Edward Poll ● Visit www.lawpractice.org for ordering information

3. THE $10,000 LAW OFFICE: 4 Users ▸ Computers ▸ Windows Small Business Server ▸ Scanner ▸ Network P rinter ▸ Gigabit Switch ▸ Firewall ▸ Backup System ▸ Electrical Protection Systems ▸ Practice Management and Accounting

4. Server ● Choose over Workstation ● 2GB to 4GB Ram ● Redundant Systems ● Raid 5 Configuration ● Affordable ● Harder to Setup ● Must have Warranty Server: $2000

5. 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

6. 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

7. DESKTOP PC ● Speed ● RAM ● Sound ● Monitors ● DVD-ROM ● Hard Drive ● Operating System ● Must have Warranty ● Price ● Brand Dell OptiPlex: $1061

14. OTHER COMPONENTS ● Monitors ● Electrical Protection Systems ● Ergonomics Backup UPS: $220

15. The $10,000 LAW OFFICE: SOFTWARE ▸ Word Processing ▸ Adobe Acrobat or other PDF writer ▸ Billing/accounting software ▸ Case management system ▸ Do cument management system ▸ E-mail software ▸ Internet access for research ▸ Data backup, security and anti- virus software

17. 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

18. 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

19. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ● Opened Ended vs. Close Ended ● SharePoint is a DMS ● Most Practice Management Software include an Open Ended DMS PCLaw: $1630

20. 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

21. WINDOWS XP or VISTA? = = Windows XP Pro is the safe choice Windows Vista still has some incompatibility issues – June is the last month you can purchase XP

22. LEGAL RESEARCH ● Get it online! ▸ Dump the CD-ROMs ▸ Discontinue books ● Th ere 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”

23. 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

28. Thank You For Listening! Gulf Coast Technology Center www.gulfltc.org Tom O’Conner (toconnor@legal-edocs.org) Craig Bayer (Cbayer@lawot.com)