Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/37773
tool that is easily available to anyone that needs or wants one, which means that creating extranets should become as commonplace as sending emails. The only way to achieve this level of success is to distribute the extranet administration and to remove any bottlenecks from the process, which generally means self-service by your users. If you make extranets accessible and easy to use, they will be used far more frequently and successfully within the firm and your users will become comfortable with the technology more quickly. • Regular communication and training. Attorneys follow a technology continuum. You will always have early adopters who like to use new technology. But the majority of your attorneys will lag behind the early adopters by a matter of degrees. It is essential to offer your attorneys consistent practice group presentations in which they are informed of the tool and consistently provided with specific real-world examples of how other law firms use extranets in their practice. Only in this way will they become familiar with why they should use an extranet. All of these practices are geared toward making extranets a common firm offering, where users are able to use extranets as easily as they send email to clients. If you are able to deliver an enterprise-focused extranet system and educate your users on the benefits of extranets within their respective practice areas, you will find that your extranet usage will grow quickly and your users and clients will find success with it. Equally important, your IT department will not be required to allocate a significant amount of resources to manage the solution on an ongoing basis. This is a combination where everyone wins. ILTA 12 Portal Platforms ILTA White Paper