By: Jon Higgins, Chief Operations Officer
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a vital model for law firms seeking better ways to organize eDiscovery data and streamline the discovery process. With thousands of documents and pieces of information to collect, organize, and review, a cloud-based infrastructure service model is paramount for staying on top of the work. An IaaS model can do the work for you, providing your team with the freedom to instead focus on legal strategy and client communication.
Benefits of Adopting IaaS for eDiscovery
The discovery process is arguably the most important part of constructing a legal case. It lays the foundation for building strategy and serves as the backbone of any future litigation, so getting it right is crucial.
Discovery is also a tedious process, especially given the large amount of data available virtually. Your team must work to collect documentation from multiple locations and compile the information in a way that reveals important patterns.
However, an IaaS model can assist your team with every part of the eDiscovery process, including:
- Intuitive data collection
- Faster data processing
- Collaborative data review
1. Intuitive Data Collection
IaaS utilizes cloud-based data collection tools to gather information stored electronically in email systems, on file servers, and on virtual databases. It then intuitively stores the information on the IaaS platform with case-identifying tags, such as case numbers or client names, for later use.
2. Faster Data Processing
IaaS models process data by recognizing duplicate documents, filtering them, and indexing information into electronic case files that streamline the discovery review process. With IaaS, powerful computing resources can be quickly scaled to get through data processing and analytics significantly quicker than traditional solutions..
3. Collaborative Data Review
IaaS allows multiple users to review discovery documents at the same time via a hosted cloud-based platform. Internet connection and security clearance are all that is required for legal teams to collaborate from anywhere at any time.
Growing Your Offerings with IaaS for eDiscovery
IaaS supports efficient, secure, and scalable legal operations. Adopting IaaS to assist in the eDiscovery process increases team productivity while reducing costs. By leveraging the latest in infrastructure technology and tailoring it directly to legal industry needs, your firm can do more with less.
With an optimized eDiscovery workflow, your team can:
- Take on large-scale litigation cases, including class action suits
- Manage constantly evolving data compliance regulations
- Gain access to on-demand, scalable storage space
- Avoid misplacing or misfiling documents due to human error or oversight
- Protect your financial bottom line by skipping expensive hardware and IT investments
- Delegate infrastructure hosting so you can focus on practicing the law
What to Look for When Choosing an IaaS Host
Many companies offer IaaS hosting services for legal firms. However, not all providers are created equal. When choosing an Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider, look for a host that offers a secure, scalable, and cost-efficient platform designed to meet your firm’s evolving needs.
IaaS solutions should offer robust infrastructure to support a variety of complex legal processes, from eDiscovery and litigation support to data management and document review. The company you go with should also ensure compliance, security, and seamless integration with your firm’s existing systems.
Before choosing an IaaS hosting service, consider these core features for your firm:
- Scalable Data Hosting & Processing
- Advanced Security & Compliance
- Integration With eDiscovery & Legal Tools
- Cost Efficiency & Flexibility
- Robust Support Services
Scalable Data Hosting & Processing
A major benefit of using cloud-based IaaS is the ability to scale up your storage capacity and processing power when you are working on a large case. Unlike the limitations of physical hardware, the elastic nature and computing power of IaaS accommodate large volumes of eDiscovery data at fast processing speeds.
Look for a company that will allow you to scale storage and processing options with your firm’s needs. From high-stakes litigation to regulatory compliance, the infrastructure host you choose should ensure rapid access and processing capabilities for every legal situation.
Advanced Security & Compliance
Security and compliance measures should be top priorities when selecting an IaaS partner. Request evidence of robust security features. Any platform you choose must also meet legal and regulatory secure compliance standards for data storage and handling. Some IaaS providers offer disaster recovery options to protect your eDiscovery data from being stolen or lost. Ask prospective hosts if they offer this capability.
If your firm manages multiple cases simultaneously, you’ll want an IaaS tool that allows you to customize file access on a case-by-case or file-by-file basis to regulate who has access to confidential information. The IaaS partner you choose should leave you with the peace of mind to focus on legal matters, knowing that your data is securely managed.
Integration With eDiscovery & Legal Tools
Focus on seamless integration between the infrastructure you choose and existing eDiscovery platforms, managed review tools, and data analytics systems. When your IaaS works with the legal tools your team is already familiar with, it streamlines the entire litigation process.
Find an IaaS that focuses on automation and process optimization to boost your firm’s operational efficiency while minimizing risks.
Cost Efficiency & Flexibility
One of the most appealing aspects of IaaS is its value-driven cost savings. IaaS eliminates upfront investments in hardware and IT maintenance expenses in favor of cloud-based solutions. Look for a provider that offers the flexibility of paying for storage as you go, and only for what your firm needs. This type of payment structure makes IaaS ideal for both small and large-scale cases and benefits firms of every size.
The flexibility of cloud-based data storage allows access to your data from any place with Internet capabilities, allowing your team to collaborate more easily. This ease of access also increases your workflow efficiency far beyond the traditional methods of storing data on devices or on an in-house network.
Robust Support Services
Your potential IaaS partner not only needs to have a strong, cloud-based platform, but they should also have expertise in legal data management. Their job is to ensure that your eDiscovery infrastructure is optimized for performance and availability whenever you need it.
Inquire about technical support services before settling on an IaaS partner. Hire a partner who is backed by a team of experienced legal technicians providing 24/7 support. This will give your team confidence that when issues arise, they will be managed quickly and professionally to costly minimize work interruptions.
How Purpose Legal Can Help
Purpose Legal is an innovator of eDiscovery, document review, and legal tech services. Their diverse team of experienced technicians has collaborated with multinational corporations, law firms, and government entities throughout North America, the European Union, and India.
As experts in litigation support, Purpose Legal’s Core eDiscovery Services employ proven processes and robust technology to transform your toughest data challenges into manageable solutions. Streamline your organization’s workflow by reducing data complexity, time-to-fact processing, and the costs associated with the eDiscovery process.
Experience 24/7 responsive, personalized service from Purpose Legal technicians, and rest secure knowing that your services have the ability to evolve with the changing needs of your organization. Call today to schedule a consultation and get a head start on enhancing the efficiency of your firm. Let Purpose Legal handle the data details so your team can concentrate on what they do best.