Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/37773
technology investment against their firms’ most pressing business mandates. These include the need to improve the effectiveness of their marketing and business development efforts, retain and grow revenues within their current client base and optimize their practices in order to better compete in the new world of legal services. Many firms have turned to SharePoint as the platform for change and improvement. Read how two firms, Parker Poe and Reed Smith LLP, have led the way in using SharePoint as a way to improve client service. 34 SHAREPOINT AS A DMS: NEW REQUIREMENTS, NEW RISKS (AND NEW REWARDS) by Thad Jampol and Brian Lynch of IntApp Microsoft has invested heavily in building and extending the SharePoint platform in response to customer requirements, and, with SharePoint 2010, it has specifically set its sights on filling a central law firm technology role –– document management. For IT stakeholders, SharePoint offers several appealing attributes: As a Microsoft product, it aligns with the technology and architecture preferences of many law firms; it offers tremendous flexibility and configurability; in some instances, it provides a new path to organizations looking for a fresh start from traditional document management software; and it gives firms greater ability to centralize business processes and act as a unified front-end interface for lawyer-facing information, services and resources. But achieving these ends requires careful thought, planning and action. 40 LEVERAGING SHAREPOINT TO BUILD YOUR FIRM’S WEBSITE by Steve Held of Clarity Consulting Many law firms have already invested in SharePoint as the platform of choice for their intranets and extranets. It has become the central hub for locating and interacting with information and is now a familiar environment for both attorneys and staff. Meanwhile, law firms are evaluating the need to rebuild their websites for a variety of reasons –– from mergers and acquisitions to rebranding initiatives, consolidation to reduce the number of systems within the firm or to better integrate websites with attorney profiles and marketing systems. In addition, expectations have dramatically increased over what an intuitive and compelling website experience should be. If you are already using SharePoint in your firm, it makes sense to consider whether the capabilities of SharePoint 2010 will meet your firm’s public website needs. www.iltanet.org Portal Platforms 5 50 FAST SEARCH FOR SHAREPOINT 2010: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOUR FIRM? by Rick McDannel of Thompson Coburn LLP Having one portal through which users can search multiple repositories instead of opening several different applications has tremendous value both in time savings and user satisfaction. Over the past few years, SharePoint has frequently been used as a front end for enterprise search engines. Although there are many search engines to choose from, some even specific to the legal market, implementing an enterprise search engine can be expensive, time-consuming and complex. Even though several non-Microsoft search engines integrate with SharePoint, Microsoft’s search products are worth consideration, especially when it comes to the cost of ownership. Come explore FAST search for SharePoint, how it differs from SharePoint 2010 search and whether it’s the right choice for your firm. 58 ILTA’S 2011 SHAREPOINT FOR LEGAL SYMPOSIUM IS HUGE SUCCESS by TJ Johnson of ILTA This year’s SharePoint for Legal Symposium was a resounding success thanks to the Symposium Advisory Board, ILTA’s volunteer leadership and professional staff, our talented speakers and sponsors! Held June 15 and 16 outside of Chicago, Illinois, the symposium’s sessions presented a well-rounded look at current and future uses of SharePoint in the legal environment. Read more about what was covered during the conference and session highlights.