Cloud Computing—the use of and access to several multi-purpose computational resources via a digital network, as explained on Wikepedia—hasn’t been a clear favorite of law firms or of industry in general. One of the incidentals in its usage, the remote storage of data—in law firms, highly confidential data–may be a reason why cloud computing is dragging a bit.
In cloud computing, one of the clear benefits is that users can access the server via any number of virtual devices: laptops, pad computer or netbook, smartphone…you name it. And as most cloud computing services function independently of your operating system, you don’t need to worry about your OS preferences. (Again, with most of these companies, as long as your device can access the internet, you’ll be fine.)
However, there are a few stragglers; companies that require that you download software onto your computer as a means to gain access to data. This means you’ll need to use an existing browser or OS each and every time you need data.
The pluses might still outweigh the minuses when all is said and done. It depends on your needs.
So how do you find out if cloud computing is for you, or if your head is just in the clouds over the whole issue? For solo and small firms it seems simpler—less “stuff” to transition; in larger firms, satisfactory systems are already in place—but either way a law firm has to carefully consider the relevant privacy, security and ethical issues, per a technology blog (“Small Firm Innovation”) which came out earlier this month.
If an administrator or attorney has had their interest piqued with regards to what cloud computing can do, it’s likely because it seems as if everyone is jumping on the bandwagon—or at least looking into it. This flurry of activity may be deceiving, as per a survey conducted by informationweek.com’s TheInfoPro. In the report, we learn that “[w]hen it comes to cloud-based storage offerings, most enterprise-class companies are not interested, even for the lowest tier of data for archiving purposes, according to a survey of 247 Fortune 1000 corporations.”
Attorneys and administrators might take issue with the fact that you “give up all privacy” to use it, per thoughtfullaw.com. Talking about the new Amazon consumer cloud service, he says that it works well, but that a glimpse at their Terms of Use, 5.2, or “Our Right To Access Your Files”, fully discloses that they can “look at your stuff”—that is, your account information and files.
Granted, Amazon’s Cloud Drive does trade mostly in music, but the author notes that this is just an example of those read-through click and buy’s that people scroll through without much thought.
On the other side of the coin, The Thoughful Law Blog notes that users are loyal..and there must be reasons for that. “I know that once people move to the cloud you don’t want to come down,” notes Bilinksy. The author also cautions us that it is vitally important to take the time to examine all the issues regarding the potential problems of being in the cloud.
To learn more about small firm transitioning, go here: http://www.smallfirminnovation.com/2011/06/transitioning-your-law-firm-to-the-cloud/ To read more generic thoughtful commentary on this topic, go here: http://thoughtfullaw.com/2011/05/02/turbulence-in-the-clouds/#more-1430 Graphic courtesy of Thoughtful Legal Management.
lawfirmsuccess.wordpress.com 