All your documents on the web

One of the things I'm trying to push through is allowing members of the firm the ability to access firm data anytime, anywhere from just about any computer.

Well, today I got a step further in that quest. It's not fully deployed yet, but I have set up and tested WORLDOX/Web. Which is the web serviced component to our Document Management System. Pretty cool stuff too!

So now attorneys can check out documents, work on them and check them back in, from anywhere on the web, as long as they have access to the proper application (Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) that the document was originally saved in. Generates the proper document numbers for new documents and is pretty easy to use.

One proviso that I would add, if you do purchase the software from World Software, follow the instructions as best as you can and when the installation doesn't work (it won't work because the documentation isn't all that great), call tech support.

BTW, if you are wondering how I could just have all of our documents hanging out on our web for everyone to grab, they aren't. There's security built into the WORLDOX/Web application and I have the web site itself protected by SSL encryption.

Not as good as VPN security, no, but I'm enforcing strong password protection and perhaps one day we will budget for some sort of smart card authentication system.

If anyone knows anything about that, I'd be glad to hear it.

Comments

[KC]

Be careful with client confidentiality issues. Make sure the Bar signs off on your process and you have the right disclaimer language on your default web page. The last thing you need is a client suing you for a privilege breach.

[Alex Scoble]

I'm not sure I follow your suggestions.

The page is for firm attorneys and employees to use so they can access firm documents while on the road.

It's not for clients to use.

[Kevin H. Devin]

"One proviso that I would add..."

Dude... you've been hanging out with lawyers too long. ;-)

-KHD

[Rob Schneider]

Even though intended to be used only by lawyers and not clients, the risk is that someone other than lawyers will gain access via internet or via some other means (laywer's laptop stolen, or peering over lawyer's shoulder when they work in an internet cafe, or when the lawyer accesses this information via connected to network in another client's location or ...). Something to control that risk is required--a disclaimer seems a good start.

[Vele]

I'd add, since you use Microsoft products, try Windows Rights Management Services. It helps protect confidential information, especially one made in Office, and manage permissions of sensitive documents. Talk about maintaining Attorney Client privilege w/o any effort.
It's a shameless plug, but I have to do it since I market the product. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts or experiences on this. Try the demo...