LegalNet

2005 Consensus Software Awards

Product Description

The following diagram illustrates the security structure that was created to use the XML Web service calls:

The base technology which is used to create LegalNet is:

.Net

Microsoft® .NET is a set of Microsoft software technologies for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. It enables a high level of software integration through the use of Web services—small, discrete, building-block applications that connect to each other as well as to other, larger applications over the Internet.

ASP.NET

ASP.NET is the engine for Web based applications and XML Web services. It brings rapid application development to the server. Part of the class library in the .NET Framework, ASP.NET pages use a compiled, event-driven programming model that improves performance and enables the separation of application logic and user interface.

Web services

XML Web services are the fundamental building blocks in the move to distributed computing on the Internet. Open standards and the focus on communication and collaboration among people and applications have created an environment where XML Web services are becoming the platform for application integration. Applications are constructed using multiple XML Web services from various sources that work together regardless of where they reside or how they were implemented.

Active Directory

The Active Directory® service is a central component of the Windows operating system platform, providing the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network environments. Active Directory in Windows Server 2003 introduces key features ensuring that it is one of the most    flexible directory structures in the marketplace today. As directory-enabled applications become more prevalent, organisations can utilise the capabilities of Active Directory to manage even the most complicated enterprise network environments. From Internet data centres to large distributed branch office enterprises, the improvements provided by Windows Server 2003 simplify administration and increase performance and efficiency, making it a truly versatile solution.

Distributed and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Services

XML Web services lets users craft applications that directly connect two or more client peers, cutting out the middle man. Through the use of XML Web services, two client applications can both expose and consume information, largely eliminating the need for a central server and cutting down on network and processing bottlenecks. Whether contacting a known peer or initially discovering one through a rendezvous service and then switching to interact directly, peer-to-peer applications expand the possible device and application interactions while largely eliminating server dependencies. This is illustrated in the following diagram:

Innovation

nSynergy launched LegalNet, a .Net vertical software solution for the legal industry in January 2004. LegalNet is now in some
of largest companies in the world across many countries including the US and UK.

LegalNet has developed technologies that are technically novel and innovative by creating the worlds first P2P collaborative network further developing and utilising leading technologies such as .Net and XML Web services. LegalNet is subject to patent number 2003905878 registered on 27th October 2003.LegalNet has provided the world’s first international standard for practice management, ebilling and document management in the legal industry. The collaboration and P2P development of LegalNet has become LegalNet v5.0 which is currently in Beta.

The ultimate capability of LegalNet is that it will be the common software platform for legal collaboration between law firms and in-house corporate legal teams for financial, document and information management.

LegalNet allows the legal departments of major companies to collaborate with external outsourced firms in real time. This is a mechanism for real-time communication which creates a fully auditable and searchable database. Collaboration allows the company and service provider to work on documents and analyse financial data in a secure environment through the P2P network. 

The key advantage of a P2P collaborative environment of LegalNet means that each law firm can integrate their system into their own e-billing system while the corporate can integrate directly with their accounts system. Further, each discrete database (behind each firewall) can seamlessly “talk” and integrate with each other allowing efficient e-billing and information sharing. There is no other legal software system in the world that provides this seamless level of data exchange.

Performance

In a very short time frame nSynergy has gained significant success within the Australasian market with 30 of the top 100 Australasian companies choosing LegalNet® as their preferred matter management solution. This success has also been replicated in their decision to move into the UK market in August 2004, securing contracts with 14 of the top 50 UK companies including private practice law firms within the first 20 weeks of operations.

One of the key factors in this success both here and abroad lies with the critical distinctions between LegalNet and their competitors. First and foremost, there is no other competitor to LegalNet® currently using peer to peer technology to combine practice, document and eBilling management. Secondly, nSynergy marries this unique software expertise with legal knowledge, experience and professional personnel networks. The use of this technology coupled with these networks is an integral part of nSynergy’s marketing strategy.

nSynergy’s vision statement is ‘to combine product leadership and client intimacy’: In product leadership we aspire to continue to have the best product possible in the world and continually lead with innovation; and In client intimacy we strive to understand our clients’ needs and deliver solutions to those needs.

Potential

Currently there is no other legal software in the world that is utilising Web services or using the collaboration of financial and/or documents through a P2P network. 

One of the key market strategies for nSynergy and LegalNet has been to sign and implement in as many large corporate counsels as possible to create a base of clients. The key strategy of becoming the common software platform in the legal industry for e-billing and the collaboration of documents stems from generating a critical mass of clients. In the UK, many of the top 100 UK companies are implementing LegalNet and every company that implements LegalNet makes it more difficult for a competitor to enter into this market.

nSynergy relies on the valuable partnerships that is has with Telstra one of Australia’s largest R&D companies and Microsoft one of the world’s largest R&D companies, which have provided financial, promotional and in-kind support.

The success of the management team in implementing LegalNet into the UK and US markets are clear indicators of the management expertise and the skills that nSynergy has brought to the commercialisation of LegalNet. The marketing strategy of nSynergy for LegalNet to date has been unique. The strategy exploits the relationship that generally exists between a law firm and its client. In many situations clients do not have a sufficient budget for expenditure on software because such expenditure is seen as an unnecessary overhead in a corporate context.

Service providers are under a commercial obligation to provide the best service possible to their clients in several ways. Firstly, they need to integrate with their clients: LegalNet achieves this from a technological perspective. Secondly, they need to keep their clients informed about the progress of their services: LegalNet provides real time collaboration. Lastly, external service providers need to maintain a strong relationship with their clients. 

Other information the judges should know

Click here to see attached LegalNet brochure (pdf 0.97MB)

Click here for Microsoft case study (4.41 MB)

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