Legal Software for Practice Management, Chambers and Case Management from IRIS

IRIS Legal Hosted for Emergency Planning

11 August 2010

London-based start-up chambers, Nexus Chambers, has installed IRIS Legal Hosted Services with IRIS Meridian Law to achieve significant cost savings with accompanying reliable back up support and emergency planning.

Del Edgeler, Chambers Manager at Nexus Chambers, explains:

“Nexus Chambers was a new start-up earlier this year.  As the individual in charge of the project, our choice of IT systems was very important to me.  Having been involved in a chambers start-up before, back in 2000, I was only too well aware of the high set up costs of traditional IT infrastructures, but as hosted hadn’t yet come into being in the legal sector ten years ago, this type of supported software wasn’t an option.  Thankfully this time around hosted is more readily available, with many top sets already utilising this type of service.  Therefore, we’ve rolled out IRIS Meridian Law on an IRIS Legal Hosted platform.
 
The cost benefits of IRIS Legal Hosted are enormous for start-ups.  Hardware costs are minimised because there’s no requirement for expensive servers and other equipment.  In fact, the only hardware you need to purchase upfront is PCs, laptops and printers.  Everything else, including software licences for third party applications such as your Microsoft Office suite, is taken care of.
 
The second major benefit of IRIS Legal Hosted is the back-up element which means no stress or worry about either data loss or continuity of work in the event of emergency.  Crisis contingency provision means that whatever happens in the workplace, members of chambers can still access all systems from a remote connection.  This gives true peace of mind.  I’ve actually had a real crisis experience in a previous chambers using hosted, which meant absolutely no disruption to our work as we accessed our applications from home.
 
We have complete confidence in IRIS Legal’s technical team.  They’re a reliable resource that we can depend upon for full support.  IRIS Legal’s long term financial stability is also reassuring, for longevity of support, unlike other suppliers whose future is less promising.

I would recommend IRIS Legal Hosted Services to other chambers, start-ups and otherwise.  The cost and back up benefits apply to both.”

Nick Ozga, Divisional Director for Barristers & Coroners at IRIS Legal Solutions, adds:

“There is a misconception that hosted software is expensive, but because it completely cancels out the need for server equipment and such like, it’s often the most cost effective option for chambers whose hardware is getting out of date, becoming slow and unreliable.

With regards to chambers start-ups, the initial outlay costs can be a bit pricy at this early stage in their professional lives, when finances are tight.  IRIS Legal Hosted can save start-ups an inordinate amount of money.  It’s very flexible too – users can be added or deleted upon request, so the software and system literally grow in line with your chambers whilst the costs remain stable and manageable.

Also, emergency planning is vital in the volatile world of today which this year alone has delivered volcanic ash clouds, transport strikes and extreme weather conditions, all of which have caused huge disruptions to chambers when staff are prevented from getting to the office.  This disruption can be easily avoided with IRIS Legal Hosted Services and the remote working advantages it brings.”

Access more information on IRIS Legal Hosted Services and IRIS Meridian Law.  Alternatively, please call us on 0844 815 5580 or email to legal@iris.co.uk.

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