These technologies can also utilize the enormous information content on the the Internet. The value of enterprise systems developed on such technology seems obvious to the year- end bottom line and the competitive advantage of a firm. Consequently, law firms may wish to develop some internal expertise with these technologies. In any event, for law firms which truly want to leverage their computer dollars, these are clearly the technologies in which they should invest. Law firms can benefit today from investment in these powerful information technologies, and those that do will be head and shoulders above the rest in terms of productivity and efficiency.
Firms generally have deep vertical knowledge which is captured in meta-level treatise documents.
Library research questions and answers can be posted by librarians so that their work product is available to and searchable by the entire firm. Threaded discussion groupware allows attorneys and staff to discuss common topics which cut across many cases or important issues in a single case. These technologies will permit, where appropriate, the firm to establish virtual teams directly between the client and the firm, reinforcing the relationship with the firm and raising the ante about how law firms provide services to them. These may also prove to be valuable marketing tools when bidding for a project or for wooing clients from other firms.