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FEATURE: Creating an Annual IT Plan

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Creating an Annual IT Plan
Developing a strategy for a solid technological future.

In many law firms, Information Technology planning is an activity that isn’t very well understood. Hence, IT planning is either done spur of the moment or is completely ignored. The goal of this article is to explain the necessity of performing IT planning and to help your firm create its own IT plan. Read Full Story

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Perform Simple Calculations in Word Tables
You quickly can add numbers in Word tables. Just type the numbers you wish to add and then either click the “AutoSum” button on the “Tables and Borders” toolbar, or choose “Formula” from the “Table” menu and type in the appropriate formula. Read Full Story

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Creating Watermarks
In earlier versions of Corel WordPerfect, if you wanted to include a watermark on a page, you had to insert the graphic image into one of the header codes. In more recent versions of WordPerfect, there are separate watermark codes available. Read Full Story

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DIY Web Maintenance
Edit.com released Do-It-Yourself, a Web site maintenance solution enabling users to easily edit their Web sites from a Web browser. Users signup at www.edit.com, where they can type in edits and add more pages if needed. There is no software installation or need to change a Web site design or hosting plan. Edit.com adds HTML codes to protect the Web site structure and creates new page templates. It also includes personalized, consultative support for any Web site-related questions. Users that don’t require constant updates or edits to their Web site can select a pay-as-you-go plan, which costs $25 for 24 continuous hours. Users also can select an unlimited plan and pay $25 per month or $180 per year. For additional information, call (877) 387-2549.

Online Legal Store
USLegal Inc. launched LawStore.com, a Web site offering law products to attorneys, consumers, small businesses and government agencies. LawStore.com offers products such as books, periodicals, newsletters, office equipment, time and billing systems, and basic supplies such as pens, paperclips, furniture and software. Users can purchase products through a single source and keep a record of purchased items to reorder. For additional information, call (877) 389-0141.

Billing Time on the Road
Airtime Manager released Airtime for Professionals, a time capture software for mobile devices. The software automatically tracks time spent on calls and e-mails. At the end of a call or e-mail, A4P displays a screen with the contact name, duration of the event, a list of applicable client and matter codes related to the contact, and a notes field. Users can edit the field values or click “bill,” “expense” or “neither” to complete the transaction. Billable calls and e-mails are routed to a Web-based back end or to the firm’s time and billing system. A4P charges on a per-use basis and doesn’t have a fixed monthly fee. For more information, call (877) 247-4464.

HP Tech Awards
Hewlett-Packard launched its first HP Legal Technology Awards contest, a contest aimed to recognize attorneys and legal professionals who use technology to increase their efficiency and improve client services. The contest is open to independent attorneys and law firms of any size and will run through Nov. 16. Applications are available online at www.hp.com/go/legaltechawards. Winners will be announced during the annual LegalTech conference in New York City in January. The first-prize winner in the categories of firm excellence and technology innovation will receive HP technology products valued up to $10,000, and the second-prize winner in those same categories will receive $5,000 worth of products. For more information, visit the Web site.

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Home Office Lawyer
Launched in July, Home Office Lawyer is the new blog on the block for tech-minded solos and small firms. The blog was created by Grant D. Griffiths, a family law attorney based in Kansas, and features postings about topics such as podcasting, the paperless office and Macintosh in the law office, and also features useful links. Although ripe with topics for the home-office attorney, Home Office Lawyer doesn’t limit itself to solos. Multi-attorney firms also can benefit from the information posted on the blog.

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Sept. 29 through Sept. 30
The Legal and Strategic Guide to E-discovery: East
New York
This conference will provide corporate counsel, knowledge managers and Information Technology specialists with discussions on topics such as e-discovery issues, showcasing emerging economic models and cutting-edge technology. Case studies and presentations will provide insight on how to manage the costs of disclosure. For more information, contact legalevents@marcusevansbb.com.

Oct. 17 through Oct. 19
Association of Corporate Counsel 2005 Annual Meeting
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, D.C.
The conference will cover topics such as “Litigation Management for the Small Law Department” and “Practical Solutions to E-discovery and Records Retention.” Speakers will discuss the status of the law and solutions on how to deal with e-discovery issues including setting guidelines, understanding what is reasonable practice, implementing processes for archiving data and more. CLE and continuing professional development credit is available. For more information, visit www.acca.com/am/05.

Click here to view the entire calendar of events.

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