The Gazette 1989

OCTOBER 1989

GAZETTE

between any number of people without memos or messages, taking account of holidays, court appearances etc.

functions of the office including profitability, overheads, taxation, work-in-progress and new busi- ness is instantly available. The office payroll is handled in minutes. Time recording and time costing are performed and monitored by the system. • Billing is automatically calcu- lated and produced and state- ments, reminders and internal reports are created to report on profitability and cash flow. • Trends in the practice are analysed and profitability in- creased or unprofitable work lessened. • High quality legal documenta- tion is produced quickly and profitably. • Standardised systems reduce the havoc caused by staff mobility. • Access to internal office in- formation is instantaneous. This applies to files, clients (for conflict purposes), deeds, closed files, wills and their location, the financial status of every Client in his dealings with the office, all phone numbers, fax numbers, addresses of clients and con- tacts etc. • Internal memos are sent by electronic mail, external mail is sent electronically also. This reduces waste paper around offices and commun i ca t es quickly. • Office diaries are maintained which enable scheduling of appointments electronically

facilities are to hand on screen and are capable of being related to each othpr and to the Accounts and other databases. NETWORK SYSTEMS While Unix systems developed from the operation of larger computers, network systems developed from the highly successful personal computer [PC]. Many solicitors acquired personal computers for various functions, principally word processing. Network systems were devised to try and link them to- gether in a manageable form so that information on one PC could be used by other linked PCs. Development has been uneven. The basic principle of a series of computers linked to a central pro- cessor for storage and processing was initially successful in the main- frame market, but the costs were huge. Attempts to operate networks with smaller PCs were not so successful, particularly in the legal market. That is not to say that it couldn't be done; but nobody seemed to get it right. There have been substantial developments in the last few years but, unlike Unix, these development are still subject to limits of operation. LIMITATIONS OF NETWORK SYSTEMS Technically, Networks are limited by the basis on which the system originated. The most successful networking system (Novell) is based on MSDOS. MSDOS is the operat- ing system used by the personal computer such as the I.B.M. PC.

WHEN WILL THIS BE AVAILABLE? Now!

All of the above type of work is available to the present Solicitors office. I am aware that most, if not all of these facilities are available in certain offices who have invested in technology for the future. On a Unix system, all of the above are available, as indeed are automated document production systems and expert systems in the legal office. Office Automation There have been substantial ad- vances in software in Unix Office Automation over the last few years. As Unix developed from the busi- ness sector, those using the Unix system have concentrated on de- velopment of office automation products. The structure of Unix has allowed Office Automation to emulate existing office methods while taking them successfully into the computer world. Thus, for example, word pro- cessors followed from the type- writer, Electronic mail from the post, electronic diary from the diary, electronic messaging from the memo-pad and electronic calcula- tions from the notebook or calculator. The progression is not frightening in concept to the learner, but the increase in efficiency is notable. The real advantage of Unix in the office is that all of the above

11 WORLD FAMOUS BRAND NAMES

BUSINESS ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT 12A Parkmore L T D . Industrial Estate, Tel: (01) 509044 Long Mile Road, FAX: (01) 509744 Dublin 12

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