Aside from accessing information, through the use of collaborative software, extranets enable teams to communicate through threaded discussions that may be far more useful than multiple e-mail messages. The technology that generates the most buzz at legal technology conferences and in chat rooms is the virtual repository or Web-based repository. The virtual repository is the 00 s version of document repositories that first came onto the litigation support scene in the 70 s. For 25 years lawyers have been using repositories to store document indices and even images, but the Web is changing the approach to managing and retrieving repository documents. Typical virtual repositories provide comprehensive search and retrieval capability that is similar to that available in popular litigation support applications.
Repository sites enable searching for key words and dates within fields or across full-text.
Some repositories allow for remote printing, while others require that users submit print requests to their service bureau for printing and delivery back to the client. And some repository services offer other functions such as docketing, calendars, and transcript management. The most significant benefit of using a virtual repository is that any authorized user can access documents and related case materials from anywhere at any time. This eliminates the need to install software and hardware to manage a large case and provides the road warrior with access to an entire case room wherever he or she may be. Working with a virtual repository is something new for the vast majority of law firms.