Computers were once viewed as the domain of the back office and essential for secretaries. Today, firms are actively promoting their use of advanced technology, particularly as it leverages attorneys, increases speed of delivery, enhances communication and opens the door to sharing and collaboration. Extranets and First Generation Portals Extranets are secure Web sites that may be accessed by clients to obtain and view information about their matters or accounts, collaborate on work product development and coordinate events and parties. These sites have been used by a number of firms over the last couple of years for individual clients. Further, they don't provide some of the advanced characteristics of sophisticated content-oriented web sites that area available today.
Portals greatly improve upon the concept.
Simply put, a portal is a web site that provides for the entrance and access to information and process that, like a good doorway, always leads attorneys and clients to what they need in order to succeed. Wide acceptance of portals by the corporate and on-line consumer sectors has already pressured the legal industry to move in the same direction. A handful of law firms are taking advantage of next generation portals. Moreover, they are capable of rendering themselves based the accessing user's organization, her role within the organization and her site usage history, patterns and habits. Just how we achieve competitive improvements depends on lots of things - culture, leadership and image.