The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/27607
CASE STUDIES AN OPEN SOURCE OVERHAUL As I continued my research, I found an amazing open source platform called Dropthings. It was as close to iGoogle for the internal enterprise as one could ever hope to get. It had configurable gadget boxes as well as the ability to link to external content, upload user content, customize views on a per-user basis, and integrate with Active Directory. Furthermore, it was hosted internally, could store user profiles and snap in a WYSIWYG content management system. The best part, given that it is an open source product, was that the single server/site license fee was only $399.00. The only problem with the platform was that it was not a quick wizard-base install. While Dropthings runs under Microsoft IIS Server, it requires a developer with Ajax “The new intranet includes a permission-based list of gadgets that users can add to their personal view.” and .Net experience to compile the source and make the programmatic links. I found and enlisted the services of Ron Bandeira of internetgadgets.com — a seasoned .Net and Ajax developer who had previous experience with Dropthings and custom intranet projects. From initial contact with the developer, von Briesen went live with its Dropthings-based intranet (dubbed “vBDash”) in five short months. This included the migration of all of the firm’s content, new links to external RSS feeds, end-user generated content, an overhauled search engine and full Active Directory integration. Thus, the von Briesen intranet became a fully functional iGoogle-like experience for all von Briesen users. FINALLY… AN EASY, FUN AND USEFUL INTRANET As discussed, content management on an intranet is always a challenge. von Briesen has taken content management and distributed it throughout the enterprise. The vBDash 34 www.iltanet.org Peer to Peer content editing process is as easy as using Microsoft Word, thanks to the Web-based CMS engine. Even the firm’s main receptionist, who is not highly technical and not familiar with HTML, is able to edit the intranet on a daily basis. With each department ultimately taking responsibility for the editing and updating of its intranet content, the site is always fresh with new and exciting things for end users. Since the firm already had an Enterprise Document Management System in place, the last thing they wanted was for their new intranet to become another document repository. Instead of copying static documents to the intranet, all documents and forms are dynamic links to the original documents that live in the DMS. Dropthings is compatible with traditional HTML and XML codes and it fully supports .Net web parts, iFrames and Universal Search. With some tinkering, it would probably support other SharePoint add-ins. It really is a flexible and powerful intranet solution. The firm is working on some additional social aspects to its new intranet by incorporating an open source microblog service from Status.net. The gadget will incorporate a real-time internal Twitter-like microblog feed where internal users can post links, updates and news. For those users who want the real Twitter and Facebook gadgets, von Briesen has that too. The new intranet includes a permission-based list of gadgets that users can add to their personal view, and any changes they make to their view of the intranet are completely saved for the next time they launch the intranet. Also, any gadget created for the public iGoogle site can be compiled and made to work on Dropthings. The possibilities for content and intranet functionality are basically endless. The project was a big success and realized the vision of the firm’s managing partner. I am really proud of the innovative and dynamic intranet solution we created and deployed. In fact, the Nielsen Norman Group will be reviewing vBDash in the spring as they evaluate candidates for the next round of their intranet design awards. This project proved that open source software offers amazing features and is an inexpensive, viable option for something as important as a law firm’s intranet. ILTA Bill Caraher is the CIO at von Briesen & Roper, a Milwaukee-based law firm, and is a regular speaker at ILTA events. Bill has over 18 years of extensive experience managing and supporting technology in fast-paced environments. He is very passionate about infrastructure, gadgets, social media, marketing/branding and helping people engage their customers in new media. He can be reached at bcaraher@vonbriesen.com.