What is Saas?

For companies considering cloud computing technologies, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of information that is available. In our recent blog entitled “Is cloud computing for you?” we discussed that there are three main approaches to cloud computing: Platform-as-a-service (Paas), Infrastructure-as-a-service (Iaas) and Software-as-a-service (Saas). As Bundledocs uses a Software-as-a-service model, we will discuss this in more detail.

So what is Software as a service? CloudTweeks have defined Saas as “a method through which software related services are delivered from one point to another remotely or through internet alternatives”. Therefore, rather than relying on desktop software or traditional servers, software is hosted by a third party and can be accessed via an internet connection.

But what does this mean for the legal sector? In terms of legal software, most firms tend to follow a traditional software model. According to ‘The American Bar Association’ Attorneys traditionally purchase software by licence and install it on their computers. Any data created is then stored on the user’s computer and can be backed up to a firms file server.

In comparison Saas differs from this traditional method in a number of ways. Rather than installing software onto your computer, Saas allows users to access their software via a web browser over the internet. Any data stored is stored in the vendors data centre rather than on the user or firms computers.

For firms, Saas can offer a range of benefits when compared to a traditional software model. To view the “Top 5 business advantages of cloud computing” visit our recent blog article.

Are you already in the cloud?

Cloud computing is an area that has gained considerable press coverage in recent times. As companies and professionals made their IT predictions for 2012, it was commonly agreed that cloud computing would see a significant rise not only in 2012 but for years to come. However, as cloud has become increasingly associated with predictions for the future, it is easy to forget that many of us use cloud computing technologies on a daily basis.

IMOGO have recently released an interesting infographic that clearly highlights how many people are using cloud computing technologies – perhaps without even knowing it.

Source: IMOGO

Bundledocs Basics

Developed by a team with extensive experience within the Legal IT sector, Bundledocs utilises the benefits of cloud computing to help teams easily create court bundles. For any of those new to Bundledocs software, we have created a blog post to detail what bundledocs is and how it can help your firm. So let’s get down to basics!

What does Bundledocs do?

Bundledocs allows you to swiftly and easily compile document bundles for a number of purposes including court bundles, deal bibles and report books.  The bundles are automatically formatted, an index is generated, sections are populated and the completed document is paginated.

How?

Simply logon, create your case, copy the files you want included, organise the order of your files, create sections if needed and then simply generate.  An e-mail inviting you to download your completed pdf e-bundle will be sent to you on completion.  Adding, deleting or modifying now becomes easy.  Simply, make your changes (e.g. you may wish to add files to your bundle), click re-generate and the index, order and page numbers are automatically updated to reflect these changes and again an up-to-date copy is immediately made available to you.

There is no need to install any software.  It is available anywhere (once you have internet access) and at any time.  Pick up your completed e-bundle on your pc, laptop, iPad or even a smart phone.  E-Mail your completed e-bundle to a colleague, third-party or third-parties.  You even have the added option of inviting a third party to “pick up” your generated e-bundle (this is ideal for large e-bundles where e-mail might not be an option). 

Summary

In summary, multiple documents of different types are converted into a single PDF that is fully indexed, ordered (with multiple sections if needed) and the relevant page number superimposed on each page.  Navigation is easy as every document in your bundle is bookmarked.  It is simple to grasp, simple to use, very intuitive and most importantly a huge time saver in any legal office.

Cloud Computing is Here to Stay

As cloud computing continues to evolve and develop, there has been a significant increase in the amount of information available. According to Mr. J. Lahtinen, cloud computing future projections have indicated that the cloud computing market will reach nearly $250 billion by 2016. However if recent reports are to believed, it would appear that businesses are moving to cloud computing faster than anyone would have predicted a year ago.

According to Quentin Hardy of the New York Times last week was a milestone week for enterprise computing – and the cloud won. On Tuesday February 21st Dell reported that the current quarter sales would fall by 7% with the company experiencing lower earnings overall. Similarly on Wednesday February 22nd Hewlett-Packard also reported lower earnings not just for this quarter but for the year. However on Thursday February 23rd Salesforce.com, which provides CRM software through a cloud computing based system, revealed quite different results. Salesforce.com predicted that its fourth-quarter revenue was up by 38%. So if these latest figures are any indication of future performance, then cloud computing is already beginning to have a significant impact.

Read more about last week’s trends from the New York Times article “The Week the Cloud Won”.

Cisco Live 2012: Innovation and Accelerating Change

Dave Evans, chief technologist and futurist for the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group recently spoke at Cisco Live 2012.

The annual event which took place from January 31st to February 3rd in London, is one of the industry’s premier education and training events for IT, networking and communication professionals. During Cisco Live, Dave Evans outlined what he forsees as the top 10 technology trends that will change the world in the next decade.

Mr. Evans highlighted a number of different trends that have the power to drastically change our world. These include an increase in internet connectectivity, network speeds, social networking and the cloud. In relation to cloud computing Mr. Evans predicts that by 2020 one third of all data will live in or pass through the cloud and in addition, IT spending on innovation and cloud computing could top $1 trillion by 2014.

Click to read what top 10 technology trends Mr. Dave Evans believes will change the world in the next decade.