John P. Weil & Company -- Law Office Technology Consulting Services

Overview

The effective use and management of office automation have become vital to the productivity of professional and administrative personnel in legal organizations of all sizes. Rapid developments among interrelated technologies make technology planning an absolute necessity for all law offices. Ongoing, effective use of technology has been proven to have a positive impact on financial performance, firm governance, the quality and timeliness of client services and administrative labor costs.

John P. Weil & Company consultants have provided consulting services in law office technology for more than twenty years. Our consultants offer uncompromised objectivity and practical experience in many specialized areas of office automation, including local and wide area networks, data processing, data communications and telecommunications.

Statement of Independence

In order to insure its impartiality, John P. Weil & Company adheres closely to the code of ethics of the Institute of Management Consultants and imposes its own additional standards on its consultants, including:

1. Consultants of John P. Weil & Company may not have any ownership interest or investment in any vendor of equipment or software commonly sold to organizations of lawyers.

2. John P. Weil & Company does not assist vendors of systems in the design of law office packages, nor does the firm itself offer for sale or have any interest in any system or package sold to legal organizations.

Unlike many providers of "consulting" services, John P. Weil & Company has nothing to gain from recommending of a specific product or service, other than a satisfied client.

Law Office Technology Consulting Services

Drawing on this broad range of expertise, John P. Weil & Company technology consulting services are focused on the individual needs of the client organization. Typically, the size and requirements of an organization dictate the scope of the project. To ensure the most productive use of your lawyers, administrative staff and automated equipment, we offer consulting services in the following areas:

Long-Range Technology Planning

Long-range technology planning has been proven to have significant financial benefits. The implications of any major automation decision should be weighed in terms of an overall plan. We work with you to develop and adopt written, long-range technology plans to meet short-term and long-term automation objectives.

Human Resources and Technology

Effective use of automation extends beyond equipment to support staff organization and personnel utilization. We can assist in managing and developing your most important asset - human resources. The people interface to technology must be considered if new equipment is to achieve its full potential.

Analysis of Installed Systems

Installed systems, although performing adequately, may not be cost-effective. Our technology consultants provide objective, up-to-date analyses of current systems in light of state-of-the-art alternatives. Detailed cost benefit comparisons of installed systems versus alternatives can be provided.

Requirements Analysis

Definition of your organization's requirements is a prerequisite to equipment investigation. Our technology consultants provide unbiased, thorough, and realistic requirements analyses in light of management objectives, practice characteristics and long-term plans. Requirements are identified and quantified prior to any equipment investigation. Proper requirements analysis ensures a true comparative review of alternatives.

System Selection

Thorough evaluation and analysis are critical to successful equipment installation. Selection services typically include review of an organization's requirements, recommendation of potential vendors, RFP preparation, vendor proposal analysis, comprehensive system demonstrations and reference checking, and a written recommendation for system installation. Our recommendations are based on day-to-day contact and experience with the leading vendors of law office systems.

Conversion and Installation Testing

Conversion monitoring and installation testing are often overlooked after system selection, but they are necessary for timely and successful use of new technology. We provide implementation assistance through development of implementation schedules and conversion procedures, vendor progress reviews, negotiation for additional vendor services, and conduct of acceptance and benchmark tests.

Contract Negotiations

Standard vendor contracts often do not provide for user protection and vendor warranties that are essential in fair, long-standing agreements of this nature. Through initial contract drafting, contract review, prior vendor experience, and face-to-face negotiations, our consultants insure that your investment is protected before the final commitment is made.

Administrative Systems and Procedures

Implementation of effective administrative systems and procedures are essential to the successful use of office automation. Our consultants can develop and implement formal systems and procedures to realistically guide and manage the "people side" of equipment use. We also help clients develop effective training programs for all users.

Ad Hoc Technology Assistance

Many client organizations have developed in-house expertise in technology. In order to make best use of this expertise, our consultants often serve on an "as-needed" basis in equipment evaluation, update, and selection. Ongoing technology assistance is typically provided in the form of on-site question and answer sessions, telephone consultation, in-office review of work product, and assistance with vendor relations.

Equipment selection and utilization is critical to successful financial performance in all law offices. John P. Weil & Company provides the services outlined above in all application areas of law office technology, including system and personnel management, accounting and data processing, local and wide area networks, telephone and communication systems, litigation support/information retrieval and practice support applications.

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