Adding one or more scanning devices to networks allows documents and other materials not produced on the home computer system to be brought into the stores of information available for use in your computer system. Scanned docs can be attachments or can be run thru OCR programs, and used as computer files. Each program with more than one office needs capacity to transfer mail, documents and files between offices. Large programs can use Wide Area Network links to connect offices directly, providing office to office communication on leased high speed teleco lines. All resources of the program can be stored in one location, including pleadings banks, form generating programs and databases, and yet used at any lactation.
Smaller offices can use dial up Internet connections to transfer files and mail.
Each of the major software companies support suites of programs centered around their word processor, and each has abilities that can recommend them for use. Although historically most law firms, including legal services programs, have been based in WordPerfect, serious consideration should be given to the other production suites of programs. Use of newer indexing or hypertext programs such as Folio as basis for indexing and making documents easily available across networks. Development of larger libraries that can be distributed on CD-ROM disk or which can be made available thru existing Internet connections Online services of legal research nee to be contracted for in the most extensive, flat rate pricing method possible, allowing use by all advocates, as needed in work. System needs to be available to all advocates, across the network.