August 24, 2006
2006 Technology Survey of Law Firms
Exhibiting vendors at the Orlando Annual Educational Conference of ILTA, International Legal Technology Association, received a private briefing from the association. Representatives from Envision Agency reviewed results from the 2006 Technology Purchasing Survey conducted on behalf of ILTA.
There are some pretty remarkable insights. First, it is important to note that the survey respondents are members of ILTA. Thus, for the most part, those responding are non-attorney technology heads of their firm—CTOs, CIOs, and technology managers and directors.
What do these law firm technology leaders think are the most exciting technology or trends?
- Microsoft® SharePoint®
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
- VM ware (Virtual Machines)
- KM (Knowledge Management)
- Portals
- Wireless
- Matter Centricity
Besides hardware (workstations, notebooks, etc.), what tops the buying wish list for 2006?
- Disaster recovery-related programs
- Document and record management
- E-mail management
- Scanning
- Litigation support
- Internet/intranet/extranet
- Microsoft® upgrades
- Workflow automation
- Phone system—VoIP
One notable item is a significant decline in the number of firms looking to implement wireless technology and devices. The decline reflects a universe where wireless technology is now widely implemented by law firms. In short, if you are not wireless, you are now behind the curve.
While Business Intelligence Software and Customer Relationship Management software (BI and CRM) are not at the top of the list, they still appear to be priorities. Likewise, business systems (accounting, bill auditing, and budgeting) viewed collectively would make the top of the list. Business systems like Juris® are also crossing over into business intelligence, which would place plans for new investments in law firm business software even higher on the list.
If you are wondering what to read to keep up with law firm technology, the most popular legal/technology publications among ILTA members were:
Peer to Peer (The association’s publication)
Interestingly, technology leaders do not appear to be big blog readers. Here is the list of Blogs that showed up on their “Yes, I read” list:
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Filed under Technology by Tom Collins