The No-Brainer by Winlock Brown, Esq.

Every month I encounter colleagues from smaller law firms who struggle to manage some aspect of e-discovery and litigation support case management. They know the standard database products and want to install them and manage their cases like they hear everyone else does.

Frequently they purchase an industry-standard, over-the-counter product with the belief that all their needs will be met within the software suite, only to find that special needs arise during their case that necessitates purchasing more complex additional software to make the process work properly.

My colleagues are often annoyed that their platform of choice is harder to learn to run administratively than they thought and often underestimate the learning curve for making their software dance to the beat of their ESI Order. Rarely does the attorney or IT colleague truly grasp the amount of actual time it takes to process data to the specifications needed for their case. Even worse, they run into IT issues quickly due to surprise volumes of information that can arise on a case out of the blue. Software that should work in a virtual setup hogs memory and drags down the whole network. Data volumes increase faster than IT can increase safe storage. No one has time to figure out the best plan; it’s always a matter of jumping through flaming hoops to get things done. There’s never enough time or people, and everyone gets frustrated.

Rare is the case in a standalone database that does not need some assistance from either a utility or a full imaging suite to complete production. The recommendation is to budget the investment in an image manipulation suite along with the database solution to be certain you can handle the mundane re-numbering problem as well as the more difficult doc-split, Group 4 tif, and renumber all at the same time at a reasonable speed.

So, why do we continue to fight this fight? Is it because we think there’s nothing better? Not true. There are options now that incorporate data processing, de-duping, loading and most processing in the use of the database. There is no emergency requirement to learn how to run the processing program or the image manipulation program. Your data is processed and added to the database at your command, then you control it as you wish. You can see the processing error report and get a hash report, but you don’t have to worry about figuring out how to handle the different sources or how to get the special program to output in a format that your database will manage best. It’s simply completed for you.

Once your data is processed and loaded, you can manipulate it as you need. You can upload and download, tag, folder, and produce. You can add fields, add users, or delete either or both. Search by concept, keyword, standard Boolean search or root around in the foreign languages you have in your data set. Folder your searches and assign them to be reviewed by a select individual or set of users. Monitor the progress and export a report of what’s been reviewed and what’s been changed over a period of time. See what documents have been redacted or tagged. Look at the work flow of your users. It’s all the good stuff.

For a smaller law firm, this option is a no-brainer. Small firms are finding themselves in the middle of larger, complex cases more often these days. Market economics are pushing price competition which smaller firms are winning. However, a smaller firm may not have the experience to realistically forecast personnel and IT costs associated with winning the new clients and cases. The terrific value that they’ve always offered with current staff simply must continue if they are to remain competitive. Sadly, that often leaves their support staff gasping for air as they try to manage the increased demands of more complex litigation and advanced electronic discovery. There is no better way to fend off the need for increased head count and capital spending.

Large firms and companies may accept that tens of thousands of dollars a month in hosting and consulting fees are required. There are, however, new offerings meant to address your specific needs. If you are a busy associate, paralegal, IT manager or partner at a smaller firm, you would benefit from investigating the options available that offer financially accessible all-in-one options. The best options will combine cost benefits, service offerings, repeatable results, and user-friendly software to serve your requirements.

One such coherent processing/review offering is cpDocRev by codeMantra. cpDocRev offers an intuitive interface to speed learning and usage, transcript management, comprehensive search capabilities that include concept, semantic, metadata, and full Boolean searching, administrative workflow tools, tagging, foldering, and annotation, along with fully inclusive self-import and export/production capabilities including Bates numbering. There’s a universal viewer to see native documents without owning the source software and redaction capability to mark up documents that need information removed. The system automatically tracks changes, redactions, monitors access, and allows granular control to the administrative user. It is also Unicode compliant and handles multiple foreign languages, including searching in those languages.

One of the most important features is the administrative control enjoyed by the client user. Create new cases and clients, load data, add users, limit access, track review stats, create and export reports, do productions- all on your own schedule. You don’t need to hire someone new to learn or manage the back-end administrative complexities of the program. If you need help, support is just a click away.

Your large data sets are uploaded via FTP access and can include native files or load files and data from standard file formats such as Dii, LFP, CSV, XML, and Dat. Native files that are imported are automatically de-duped, hashed, and processed to have metadata and text extracted. Error reports allow easy tracking of difficult files. Tiff or pdf images imported are automatically run through the optical character recognition engine to provide OCR, saving the need to either pre-process or export OCR from other programs. Exporting to tiff or pdf is included in the standard flat price and is easily done through production sets, saving tons of money and headaches from having to either buy a specialized image processing program or having to send the data out.

Your reviewers will feel comfortable with their tasks using the expandable information panes in the review module. They can access the system using any standard browser, allowing easy remote access from any location.

With transcript management and the ability to handle audio and video files, the cpDocRev system has many advanced features to facilitate preparing your case for trial. You don’t have to worry if the case explodes in size either. The system can expand to accommodate your increased needs without major cost expenditures for you.

All-inclusive options meant for the smaller case such as cpDocRev are sure to become the logical choices for the small firm. With easy use and access, robust capabilities, and inter-operability with standard systems, the limited cost of such a choice is an easy justification to a client. If more sophisticated capabilities are required, then you control the ability to export and import as needed, without incurring the huge setup and management costs associated with the big names meant for huge cases. Start with the solution tailor-made for your situation, and you may find that it’s all you ever need.

FREE WEBINAR

Join us for a overview of cP-DocRev on October 18, 2010 at 12:30 PM (EST) and 9:30 AM (PST)

cP-DocRev is a comprehensive enterprise web based document management and review platform allowing you to take control of your data in both image and native file formats

Our client base consists of Fortune 500 Corporations and National, International, Regional and Local document management and service providers

cP-DocRev provides a low cost and efficient way to import, review, tag, and manage electronic data from various sources. It can help you reduce the time and cost of working with your data and maximize the potential for quicker and more accurate document review results

Increase your Hosting Revenue by 10% or more, cP-DocRev is priced so you can manage your market rates, we do not cap your pricing

We will work with you to understand your business model, current pain points and will customize cP-DocRev to help you work more efficiently

cP-DocRev is not an off the shelf solution, it offers industry standard tools, with the flexibility to be configured to meet your needs

Increase Your Market Share - There are 51,976 law firms of 99 lawyers or less

cP-DocRev is built for small to mid-size law firms, corporations and cases that do not need all the extra bells and whistles. It allows you to quickly load and review your case documents without providing features you'll never use

The platform is scalable to handle TB's of data

The platform is sold only through our channel partners, we do not sell direct to compete with you

http://www.codemantra.net/Vendors_1.html

Litigation Central, LLC joined forces with codeMantra, LLC

September, 2010 – Litigation Central, LLC joined forces with codeMantra, LLC to enhance codeMantra’s business development strategy. This association augments codeMantra’s commitment in providing high quality document review and management solutions to clients.

“cP-DocRev” from codeMantra is a comprehensive document review application created for the small to mid size case with the ability to scale, that does require all the extra features that your client does not use or need or pay for.

“We are thrilled to partner with Windy and look forward to a long term relationship” said Robert Grande, Sr. Director of Business Development. “To be able to leverage Windy’s tremendous domain knowledge and expertise, allows us to offer a valuable solution to legal and corporate markets for the case that does needs comprehensive and straight forward document review without all the unnecessary bells and whistles.”

ABOUT WINDY AND LITIGATION CENTRAL

Windy Brown has vast hands on experience dealing with litigation support and related technology. She is the past president and co founder of ALSP. (Association of Litigation Support Professionals).

Litigation Central (http://litigationcentral.com) knows the frustrations of managing technology and the practice of law, particularly when it comes to coordinating multi-party, multijurisdictional litigation. If you're looking at mass data, deadline, people management in the legal arena, we can help. We can relieve your pain by:

 Reining in your costs with predictable pricing
 Streamlining your workflow processes
 Using applied technology judiciously
 Providing industry insiders to smooth your way
 Addressing your issues holistically, not piece-meal

ABOUT CODEMANTRA, LLC

codeMantra, LLC (www.codemantra.net) is an international channel provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management and technology solutions. Our client base consists of Fortune 500 Corporations and National, International, Regional and Local document management and service providers.

cP-DocRev is a comprehensive web based document management and linear review platform allowing you to you control your data, work with variety of formats, including native files and image sources. Offers batch review management, advanced searching tools, multi language support, load file and e-data import, automated e-data de-dupe and processing and tiffing/pdf creation for production. Administrative tools help firms manage each case, role, and user.

Built on a .NET framework and SQL backend, with no software to download or hardware to purchase, maintain, upgrade or configure.

CONTACT INFORMATION
To learn more contact:

Robert Grande
rgrande@codemantra.com
610-940-1724
http://www.codemantra.net

Choosing the right online review tool for the right case

There any different type of document review tools to handle the large case, these tools have many bells and whistles, but they come however at premiums.

But what about the small case is there cost efficient solution? How do you handle the case when you do not need all the technical fire power, budget is tight and you just want to filter your search results?

When choosing a hosted or desk top solution, few questions to consider –

 What volume of data do you expect to get?
 How many people will need to access the data to review it?
 Do any of them need to access it remotely?
 How updated are the computers in your firm?
 Do you have a technical person with whom you can confer to be sure the software will run well?
 How about training? Litigation support software requires training and someone to maintain it.
 What do you have to spend? Be sure you have a bit of money set aside to train someone to be your “go-to” lit support person. Lit support review software is often a combination of a database and an imaging program- they need to learn to use both.
 What is your budget and can they work within it?
 Capital costs for IT hardware and software expansion to handle increased data volumes and upgraded lit support software (extra SQL licenses, etc)
 Need for increased headcount to handle increased data volume security and maintenance
 What are the drawbacks of handling the no longer small case with local software installs?
 Conversion of data between systems
 Possible need for learning a new system
 Lack of control over your own database or data in standard SaaS offerings
 Extra costs with SaaS solutions for project managers, consultants, database design
 Cost for tiffing or production either in-house or with SaaS solutions
 Project management communications issues
 Data management and error tracking for court
 Getting your data back if the vendor/client relationship ends

cP-DocRev differences in the SaaS world…
 Simple interface and ease of use – have your teams up and running in no time
 Placing control in your hands – No charge to set up and return data – First 5 users are free
 Universal Native file viewer – compatible with both PC and Mac environments
 Search Capabilities – Boolean, Semantic, Concept and full highlighting of search terms
 Unicode complaint - Foreign language support – 50 languages
 SaaS 70 Certified Environment
 Load file and e-data import- new case or transfer one from your Concordance or Summation
 Automated e-data de-dupe and processing
 Tiffing/pdf creation for production
 Data and image export
 Compatibility with Concordance, Summation, Ringtail, general XML load files, csv, and raw text
 Advanced review and assignment tools
 Workflow tracking

Comprehensive web based document management and linear review platform allowing you to you control your data

About cP-DocRev

cP-DocRev is a comprehensive web based document management and linear review platform allowing you to you control your data, work with variety of formats, including native files and image sources. Offers batch review management, advanced searching tools, multi language support, load file and e-data import, automated e-data de-dupe and processing and tiffing/pdf creation for production. Administrative tools help firms manage each case, role, and user.

Built on a .NET framework and SQL backend, with no software to download or hardware to purchase, maintain, upgrade or configure.

About codeMantra, LLC

codeMantra, LLC is an international provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management and technology solutions. Our client base consists of fortune 500corporations, AM Law Top 250 law firms, and national and international document management and service providers.

Contact Information

Robert Grande
Senior Business Development Manager
rgrande@codemantra.com
610-940-1724
http://www.codemantra.net

Registration Information

Demo - http://codemantra.net/registration.aspx?Reg=Demo

30 day free trial - http://codemantra.net/registration.aspx?Reg=Trial

Comprehensive review platform

cP-DocRev is a comprehensive web based document management and linear review platform allowing you to you control your data, work with variety of formats, including native files and image sources. Offers batch review management, advanced searching tools, multi language support, load file and e-data import, automated e-data de-dupe and processing and tiffing/pdf creation for production. Administrative tools help firms manage each case, role, and user.

Built on a .NET framework and SQL backend, with no software to download or hardware to purchase, maintain, upgrade or configure.

Technical Option for the Small Firm, Small Case and Small Budgets

DocRev events - FREE EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR July 27, 2010
Starting the Small Case: Technical Considerations

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
Starting the Small Case: Technical Considerations
Presenter: Winlock Brown President of Litigation Central LLC & Past President and co-founder, ALSP
Sign up now for this free webinar. http://codemantra.net/registration.html

Starting the Small Case: Technical Considerations

The small case usually starts with a few emails and a couple of paper documents. Seems simple?

I just want to look at it. I’ll open it on my computer and see if it's what I need. Things to consider:

Software/hardware considerations: Measureable ROI

Just one copy. Software/hardware considerations:

My vendor can handle it for me. Software/hardware considerations:

Wow, this got big. What are the drawbacks of handling the no longer small case with local software installs?

Wow, this got big. What are the drawbacks of handling the no longer small case with transfer to a hosted solution?

http://cpdocrev.blogspot.com/2010/07/docrev-events-free-educational-webinar.html

Case Study: Operation Effectiveness - Struggling to do more with less

A national provider of litigation support services, contacted codeMantra, LLC to scale operations, reduce internal costs and provide their end users with a cost effective solution.

The challenge was that our partner required an immediate solution with the ability to quality check images page for page, adjust to unpredictable spikes in work load while maintaining the highest level of data security and integrity at a low cost. In addition the scope of the project expanded from QC to full indexing.

Solution:
codeMantra, LLC deployed a team of dedicated Project Managers to train on site, working alongside our partner’s management and production teams. The team was able to learn the applications, workflow processes very quickly and meet quality expectations thus becoming a seamless extension of our production staff and processes. Our Project Managers were also able to leverage codeMantra’s extensive production facility to help our partner scale capacity within a very short time. Now along with codeMantra we have dedicated sets of teams working in tandem with our partners and meeting their business need.

codeMantra signed confidentially agreements, provided background checks on their offsite employees and developed a tailored offshore operations team which now has become an extension of our operations.

Results:
• 40 % Cost Savings

• 200 % increase in production capabilities

• Ability to scale operations as needed on a daily basis

About codeMantra, LLC

codeMantra, LLC is an international provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management and technology solutions. Our client base consists of fortune 500 corporations, AM Law Top 250 law firms, and national and international document management and service providers.

Concerns when purchasing an online review tool

Key Features in a SaaS Review tool?
Searching – Linear and Advanced
Tagging and Filtering
Foreign Language Support and Unicode
Control over your data
Import/Export using standard 3rd party files formats
Number of file formats system can handle
Fully Integrated Production Tools
Rule Base Permissions, allowing reviewers to focus on task at hand

Concerns in using a SaaS Review tool?
Ease of Use
Lack of Customization
Potential Loss of Data
Security
Cost – additional costs – hardware and software
Long term contracts

Your key driving factors in purchasing a SaaS Review tool?
Cost
Collaboration
Pricing Models – user fees and data management
Road Testing the software prior to purchase
SaaS 70 Environment

Pain points when dealing with a SaaS vendor?
Ease of Use
Support and Response time
Scalability

Our goal at codeMantra, LLC is to provide our clients with an efficient and effective alternative solution to a SaaS review tool.

Please contact us at info@codemantra.com to discuss how cP-DocRev can help to address your needs.

About codeMantra, LLC

codeMantra, LLC is an international provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management and technology solutions. Our client base consists of fortune 500corporations, AM Law Top 250 law firms, and national and international document management and service providers.

Established in the year 2002 and based in Plymouth Meeting, PA, codeMantra, LLC employs more than 700 technicians, application developers and project managers out of its production facilities in Chennai, India. Our solutions include legal process outsourcing, software development, programming, data conversion, data mining and document review management.

Choosing the a LPO/BPO that works for you

By Robert Grande, Senior Business Development Manager at codeMantra, LLC

LPO/BPO companies are spawning all around in large number, everyone wants to ride the wave in current business trends associated with the legal industry; offering a myriad of services from administrative, help desk, document coding, document review, web site development, to case abstraction and software development both in wholesale and retail segments.

As a vendor in the litigation support services field with more than 15 years experience, I have found that providing timely, cost efficient and high-quality product and service is a mandatory, obvious as it seems, supported by dedicated client relations to ensure longevity and business retention for both the vendor and client.

Simply you need to be accountable, accessible and adaptive to your client. Some points to consider in choosing that right partner…

1. Focused service offering – not one who claims to offer everything.
a. Your coding vendor now offers document review.

2. Commitment and dedication with signed NDA & Confidentially Agreements
a. Ensure that your provider will remain wholesale and not turn to retail

3. Data Security is paramount - location and security measures effective
a. Is your data stored in the US or offshore
b. What is their information management system
c. Backup procedures and Redundancy systems

4. Documented processes and procedure
a. Can they provide detailed paperwork on their systems

5. Customer Relationship and experience with your Sales person
a. Accountability
b. Availability
c. Knowledge

About codeMantra, LLC
codeMantra, LLC is an international provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management and technology solutions. Our client base consists of fortune 500 corporations, AM Law Top 250 law firms, and national and international document management and service providers.

Established in the year 2002 and based in Plymouth Meeting, PA, codeMantra, LLC employs more than 700 technicians, application developers and project managers out of its production facilities in Chennai, India. Our solutions include legal process outsourcing, software development, programming, data conversion, data mining and document review management.

DocRev events - FREE EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR July 27, 2010

Starting the Small Case: Technical Considerations

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT

Starting the Small Case: Technical Considerations

Presenter: Winlock Brown President of Litigation Central LLC & Past President and co-founder, ALSP
Sign up now for this free webinar. http://codemantra.net/registration.html

Starting the Small Case: Technical Considerations

The small case usually starts with a few emails and a couple of paper documents. Seems simple?

I just want to look at it. I’ll open it on my computer and see if it's what I need. Things to consider:

Software/hardware considerations: Measureable ROI

Just one copy. Software/hardware considerations:

My vendor can handle it for me. Software/hardware considerations:

Wow, this got big. What are the drawbacks of handling the no longer small case with local software installs?

Wow, this got big. What are the drawbacks of handling the no longer small case with transfer to a hosted solution?

Seeking strategic partners for business development and resale

We are seeking strategic partners for business development and resale of the solution. We believe our platform will expand the gateway for additional revenue streams. As a partner of codeMantra, LLC (www.codemantra.net), you can enhance your value proposition, scale operations and increase the scope of services to your clients. http://codemantra.net/news-article2.html#news2

As a Strategic Partner:
• Provide your client with a cost efficient solution, enabling a substantial saving in document hosting and review costs
• White label solution – can be uniquely branded or co-branded
• Increased technology bandwidth and associated service offerings
• Be a unique solutions provider in your market
• Reduced internal costs
• Marketing, Training and IT support assistance at no additional cost
• No technology or infrastructure investment – Rapid ROI
• Achieve On-Demand Scalability

Benefits:
• Straight Forward Pricing
• Easy On-Ramp
• User-Friendly, Simple and easy to deploy
• Not an out-of-the box solution – configurable to your unique business/client requirements
• Access to a dedicated team of multi-domain skilled developers, XML and web technology experts

Functionality: http://codemantra.net/cpdocrev.html
• Simple interface and ease of use – have your teams up and running in no time
• Placing control in your hands – No charge to set up and return data – First 5 users are free
• Universal Native file viewer – compatible with both PC and Mac environments that supports over 400 file types
• Advanced Search Capabilities – Boolean, Semantic, Concept and full highlighting of search terms
• Unicode complaint - Foreign language support – 50 languages
• Fully integrated production tools, Import and Export to most standard litigation support applications
• Role based user permission for reviewers, allowing them to focus on specific tasks.
• Detailed Reporting
• SaaS 70 Certified Environment

About codeMantra, LLC

codeMantra, LLC is an international provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management and technology solutions. Our client base consists of fortune 500 corporations, AM Law Top 250 law firms, and national and international document management and service providers.

For additional information, please contact rgrande@codemantra.com or 610-940-1724

cP DocRev

Simplistic Document Management and Review.

cP-DocRev a secure, cost-effective and leading-edge “Document Management and Review platform” – An affordable yet comprehensive alternative - Why pay for all the extra features you do not use…

The cP-DocRev Choice…

cP-DocRev empowers corporations, law firms and service providers with a comprehensive yet cost-effective document review platform.
• Low Cost of Ownership
• Measureable and instant ROI
• Easy on-ramp
• You are in control of your data
• User has the ability to import and export data at no charge
• Reduce IT and associated costs - (no hardware/software to purchase and maintain, no expensive training and no additional staff to hire)
• Effective Disaster Recovery and Business Redundancy
• Access to a dedicated team that enables extending and scaling data processing capabilities
• Enhanced technology services/solutions/bandwidth - (access to a dedicated team of programmers)

To learn more and how to leverage the power of cP-DocRev, register for a 45 minute interactive webinar

Register on line at http://www.codemantra.net/webinar.html

“codeMantra, LLC is an international provider of comprehensive litigation support, document management, and technology solutions”

Features -

• Simple interface and ease of use – have your teams up and running in no time
• Import and Export to most standard litigation support applications, including Native, XML, CSV and TXT
• Universal Native file viewer – compatible with both PC and Mac environments that supports over 400 file types
• Advanced Search Capabilities – Boolean, Semantic, Concept and full highlighting of search terms
• Unicode complaint - Foreign language support
• De-Duplication
• Fully integrated production tools
• TIFF and OCR on-the-fly
• Bulk Tag Documents, Bulk Edit Tags and Issue Codes
• Customize Tags, Metadata and Issue Codes on the fly
• Role based user permission for reviewers, allowing them to focus on specific tasks. Restrict user down to a screen or document level.
• Detailed Reporting