Managing discovery is challenging even at large law firms. If you have a small firm or you’re a solo practitioner, chances are you definitely want assistance. While eDiscovery programs can definitely help, you must find the right one first. The following are steps to identify the ideal eDiscovery vendor for small firms so you get help.
Determine What Your Firm Needs
Do you want to easily search for keywords within discovery documents? Does privileged information need to be sequestered? Must your documents be saved in different formats?
To identify the ideal eDiscovery vendor for your small firm, you have to decide what features you require. The good news is, programs have many capabilities and can be customized.
Gather Vital Evidence
There are several companies that offer eDiscovery software, and in order to choose the right one, you should gather evidence. The following are some criteria to consider.
Cost. The cost of eDiscovery programs can be complicated, so make sure the companies you’re considering provide clear breakdowns of their pricing. This will help you avoid sticker shock from hidden fees that may not be disclosed up front.
Compliance. An eDiscovery vendor should be well-versed in the legal field and compliance issues that may arise. Make sure companies understand relevant compliance guidelines, like HIPAA and GDPR.
Technical capabilities. Based on your needs, evaluate the functionality any eDiscovery software. Whether you’re concerned about eliminating irrelevant information, processing documents, or storage, be sure to find out as much information as you can.
Also, get information about the cyber security each vendor offers. Since discovery is stored in the cloud, you want to make sure that it’s safe from hackers. Additionally, ideal eDiscovery vendors for small firms will have robust data recovery processes in place.
Support. All of the technical capabilities a vendor may offer won’t mean much if they don’t have good technical support. You want a vendor that consistently monitors cloud servers and is available to help if problems arise.
In addition to technical support, one of the steps to identifying the ideal eDiscovery vendor for small firms is to think about customer service. The best options will have customer service and technical support available 24 hours a day.
Make sure that customer service representatives are knowledgeable about the discovery process and can offer advice when necessary. Also, some vendors may offer training for its customers.
Ask for a Demonstration
Although getting information from a vendor’s website or a sales representative can help you understand what it has to offer, there is nothing like experiencing the eDiscovery program firsthand. Ask for a demonstration of the software to see it in action.
In some cases, you may be able to use a company’s eDiscovery program on a trial basis.
Either way, you get the opportunity to actually witness what a program can do. You’ll probably have more questions after you’ve actually experienced the software. This makes a demonstration or trial run even more valuable for making a decision.
Check References
To find out more information about a vendor and its products, ask for references. Speak to customers to find out what their experiences have been with the company and the software. Ask specific questions with your firm in mind.
But your consumer research shouldn’t end there. Be sure to look at a company’s reputation, as well as find online reviews. This will allow you to get a full picture of what it’s like to work with a vendor and how well the eDiscovery products perform.
Choosing the Right eDiscovery Solutions
Do you need help with the discovery process at your small firm? If so, get the eDiscovery solutions experts at Messaging Architects on the case. Contact us today to find the right solutions for your business at the right price.
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