BlackBerry boost for Melbourne law firm
BlackBerry boost for Melbourne law firm
September 2, 2008: Melbourne law firm Russell Kennedy has seen an increase in BlackBerry utilisation for mobile working, and an associated improvement in document turnaround times, as a result of implementing BigHand Mobile (BlackBerry Edition) across the firm in 2008.
The BlackBerry digital dictation capability, together with other remote working options offered by BigHand, has also enabled both lawyers and secretaries to work from home when required; such as for maternity or to enable a better work-life balance.
Bruce Stafford, Information Technology Manager said: “The key to good technology management is making the most of the systems you have in place and the great thing about BigHand software is that it enhances our existing investment in BlackBerry wireless technology. Getting lawyers to use their Smartphone for dictation means document production is boosted by the instant nature of wireless technology, and the increased workflow visibility helps work sharing among office-based support. In terms of product selection, we originally looked at several products as software solutions but our use of BlackBerry technology meant BigHand were the most viable option.”
Following the BigHand BlackBerry project Russell Kennedy is now set to look at the Interwoven BlackBerry module, with both ‘Best-of-Breed’ systems also offering integration with each other and the potential for further efficiencies down the line.
Bruce Kent, Principal and head of Civil Litigation, said: “The introduction of BigHand digital dictation has been a problem free exercise and has produced immediate benefits for our Team. It is a real “plus” to be able to direct your work to your secretary or the word processing staff, to prioritise work from your desk, to see what work is being typed at any particular time and to see where other dictation sits in the queue.
“We have found that we now send individual pieces of dictation for typing as they are dictated rather than dictating numerous letters and documents on the one tape and then delivering the tape to our secretaries or to WP. This “more immediate” transmission of dictated items inevitably leads to a quicker turnaround time.
Overall, there have been no negatives and lots of positives.”
BigHand Digital Dictation software is used by four of the top five Australian law firms, as well as Crown Law QLD, Deacons Hong Kong, HWL Ebsworth, Gadens Lawyers, Gilbert + Tobin, Hicksons, and Keddies Litigation Lawyers among many others.