Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/16612
domain model or business logic of a point application. A platform tool kit will allow additional business models or domain models to be developed by IT departments, which were never contemplated by the original software vendor. Additionally, IT should have the ability to integrate existing in-house applications into the platform with APIs that dynamically adapt to their extended or new domain model, as well as any custom-developed workflows or data flows. Finally, IT departments should have access to development tools that enable them to support the unique needs of their internal clients by rapidly developing custom applications that leverage the platform core components. In addition to a rich toolset, the technology platform should offer a “legal framework” module that consists of core platform components, such as security and the data model, that have been pre-configured according to legal industry best practices. This allows anyone, including a law department’s IT group, to develop custom legal applications, such as project management, risk management, or time and billing, on top of the base platform. This accelerates the development of new legal applications and ensures all applications are optimized for the unique needs of law departments. Additional functionality and capabilities that IT departments should look for when evaluating technology platforms include the following: • Internationalization built in as one of the platform core components, providing the flexibility to support the unique needs of a law department’s global workforce • Infrastructure built with best-in-class technologies that ensure the interoperability of all platform applications 42 Infrastructure Technologies ILTA White Paper • Ability to scale the solution through the addition of hardware, ensuring performance is not impacted negatively • Ability to extend business functionality back to the law department’s primarily used productivity tools such as Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes • Ability to share data across firewall boundaries without adding complexity to the department’s network and infrastructure • A user interface that end users are willing to use and see the benefit of using We are in a climate where the legal industry is experiencing unprecedented pressure to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and remain competitive, and this isn’t expected to end anytime soon. Forward-thinking law departments and IT groups are looking for innovative solutions to these challenges. A technology platform, especially one optimized for the unique needs of the legal industry, can be just such a solution. The operational, financial and strategic benefits for IT that come from consolidating a portfolio of disparate systems on a technology platform are clear, but perhaps, if the past two years have taught us anything, one of the biggest benefits is insurance against change. A technology platform with the right architecture, features and toolset will allow IT departments to rapidly adapt and respond to changes in the industry and changes in technology, and this can empower the law departments they support to be more competitive. ILTA