August 18, 2006
Alternatives for Law Firm Remote Access
By Guest Author Barry Lancaster: Juris, Inc. Senior Director of Client Services
Citrix® technology has been used by law firms as an effective method of providing legal professionals and administrative staff with remote access. The question is, “Are newer technologies making Citrix obsolete?”
Virtual Private Networks, VPNs, now allow firms to set up secure direct access to their network over the Web. For “office-like performance,” VPNs require a broadband Internet connection. What is different today is that home Internet users and law firm branch offices now have broadband access. Likewise, most hotels offer broadband services. Many towns and coffee shops offer free broadband services. In addition to broadband access, dedicated phone line connections between law firm branches and the firm’s main office are now moderately priced and provide even better data transfer quality. Today, if you are working from home, on the road, or in a branch office, quality high-speed connections are now readily available and inexpensive. That high-speed accessibility for users outside the office has made the VPN approach an alternative to Citrix.
In addition to the direct network connection alternative using VPN technology, there are a growing number of developments making Citrix less essential. An increasing number of the applications used by law firms now offer a browser version, for example. Smart Client technology (under Microsoft® .NET) and similar new technologies coming from the browser side of the fence are starting to show up in law firms. These Smart Client products are designed for easy direct access over the Web. Smart Client applications (including, for example, the Juris, Inc.’s attorney dashboard application, MyJuris®) use security services to protect data, providing full confidentiality over the Web.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the various technologies, including Citrix. However, changes in connection speeds and software designs make it appropriate for you to re-evaluate Citrix on a recurring basis. Depending on your particular circumstances, you may find that you can improve office-like performance for your traveling and remote team members while also lowering IT-related cost.
Lower cost is always nice, but it is the potential for productivity gains that should drive your decision.
Morepartnerincome.com is sponsored by Juris, Inc. For information about Juris® products and services for increasing law firm performance and partner income, go to www.Juris.com.
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Filed under Expense Control, Technology by Tom Collins