On the Net, Author at Law Office Technology & Marketing

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So far On the Net has created 32 blog entries.

Fujitsu Announces Its Next Generation ScanSnap iX500 Desktop Scanner

The following is a January 7, 2013, Fujitsu press release:

ScanSnap iX500 Desktop Scanner Incorporates “PC-Less” Scanning to Mobile Device Functionality

Control and Access Documents From the Palm of Your Hand With Your Smartphones and Tablets; Instantly Send Documents to the Cloud for Easy Organizing and Sharing

Fujitsu, the market leader in document imaging scanners, today introduced the newest addition to its award-winning ScanSnap product lineup – the next generation ScanSnap iX500 featuring built-in Wi-Fi connectivity giving customers the ability to scan directly to their Android™ and iOS compatible devices 1. Additionally, the ScanSnap iX500, for PC and Mac users, is enhanced with faster scanning speeds, a new advanced feeding system, an intelligent and customizable Quick Menu, and functionality allowing users to easily scan to cloud-based services such as Evernote, Google Docs™, Dropbox, SugarSync and Salesforce.

Equipped with a revolutionary “GI” image processer 2 inside the scanner, the ScanSnap iX500 is now empowered for today’s ever-increasing on-the-go lifestyle and mobile professional. Now, users can instantly scan and transmit PDF or JPEG files, such as contracts, receipts, bills, invoices and business cards, to their mobile devices without the use of a computer.

Utilizing the free “ScanSnap Connect” app on their mobile device or tablet, ScanSnap users achieve a whole new level of convenience in scanning; literally from the palm of their hand. With a simple push of a button, documents are scanned and saved to their mobile device ready to view, share or send to their favorite cloud service. The “ScanSnap Connect” app can be downloaded in the Google Play Store and the iTunes App Store and can be used with Android compatible tablets and smartphones running OS 2.23 and both the iPad and iPhone running iOS 4.3 or later.

“There’s a simple reason why ScanSnap is the top selling personal scanner on the market today – it continues to offer the most intelligent, powerful scanning tools to keep up with the growing demands of our customers,” said Scott Francis, senior vice president of marketing, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. “The ScanSnap iX500’s built-in GI processor allows you to scan and save optimized PDFs to your mobile device without the need for a PC, while its advanced productivity features allow consumers and business professionals to be even more productive and paperless anywhere, anytime. All of this functionality provides customers with the highest performance personal scanning experience combined with extremely easy operation. The iX500 truly pushes the performance bar to a new level.”

Powerful, Intelligent and Fast

The ScanSnap iX500, enhanced with USB 3.0 connectivity, provides the same easy-to-use one-button scanning and advanced imaging technology that customers have come to expect with ScanSnap, while also providing consumers and business professionals additional intuitive productivity features that no other document management company offers. New and innovative features of the ScanSnap iX500 include:

Faster Scanning Performance: Utilizing the increased power of its engine and “GI” image processor, the iX500 can create PDF files at speeds of up to 25 double-sided color pages per minute (300dpi, color) — that’s 25 percent faster than its predecessor.
Advanced Document Feeding System: Inheriting the superior paper feeding technology driving the higher-end scanners from Fujitsu, the iX500 achieves exceptional feeding reliability using enhanced “Separation Roller” technology to maximize feeding reliability across an even wider range of documents and scanning situations.
Customizable Quick Menu: For additional convenience and flexibility, the ScanSnap Quick Menu is fully customizable and automatically appears after scanning providing a quick and easy way to send those scanned documents to several popular “Scan-To” applications. Furthermore, the Quick Menu incorporates new intelligence that anticipates the appropriate application while keeping users in the driver’s seat for easy and faithful disposition of content.
“ScanSnap Folder”: Stay in the moment and extend the power of one-button scanning into virtually any Windows application, even in the cloud, with the “ScanSnap Folder” function. This easy but powerful feature essentially replicates ScanSnap as a Windows folder which the user can open from their favorite software and web applications4 allowing them to scan into it without making complicated setting changes in ScanSnap or their application. It’s the ultimate in “Scan there!” versatility.
Cloud Services Support: Users can scan documents directly to Evernote, Google Docs, Dropbox, SugarSync and Salesforce Chatter from their Mac or PC, giving them even more flexibility to store, share and access their paperwork. Whether it is scanning contracts, bills, invoices, or business cards on the road or using a PC in one place and a Mac in another, consumers have the necessary tools to be even more productive and paperless virtually anywhere.

Additional Productivity Features

The ScanSnap iX500 comes with software for PC and software for Mac so users who use both can optimize their ScanSnap for either platform. In-box software includes: (more…)

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:28-07:00January 16th, 2013|Hardware, Paperless Office|0 Comments

Content Marketing Tactics that Work for Attorneys

LawMarketing.com: “The Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs just released their second annual study on B2B content marketing trends and found the following tactics most prevalent among B2B marketers:”

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:52:28-07:00November 10th, 2012|Marketing|0 Comments

Blogging & Content Marketing Replacing Traditional Marketing

Real Lawyers Have Blogs: “Traditional advertising is rapidly losing out as marketing professionals begin to realize the effectiveness and advantages of content marketing. . . . The number of businesses blogging jumped 29% in the last year, going from 51% of businesses to 65% of businesses blogging. Blogging not only helped businesses gain trust, credibility, and authority, but companies that blog receive 55% more web traffic. Blogs are also increasingly being viewed as effective in marketing with 58% of businesses believing blogs are an effctive marketing vehicle. Belief in Social media effectiveness jumped 61% from 31% in 2011 to 50% in 2012.

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:42-07:00October 29th, 2012|Blogs, Marketing, Websites|0 Comments

Data Backup Best Practices

I’d like to point out the need to set up a protocol to check what’s on the backups since there are common errors. Obviously, you should have backups both on-site, for fast local restore, and backups off-site, for ‘geo-redundant’ safety. Sometime the data files you need to backup are not really where you think they are.

1.1 SQL databases aren’t being properly backed-up – sometimes there is no .bak file available. If you just copy files when backing up, the file may not be there to backup. A SQL script is necessary to write the secure data inside the SQL database to an external .bak file.

1.2 The SQL backup (.bak files) are stored on the same disk drive as the SQL database. When the drive fails you also loose the backup.

2. Archived data is taken off of the cloud. For example, even though email may be hosted ‘ in the cloud’ it may have substantial archived data located only on the local user PC. Last week we know where a firm had five PC’s stolen including a user whose PC had 9GB of email and attachments archived i.e. only stored on her local PC.
Fortunately the PC was imaged and the data was recovered, but most firms don’t image their PC’s.

Maybe the formula for backup is best expressed as: DD + I = S@N (Where DD is Due Diligence, I is + Insurance = S@N is Sleep at Night)

Here are some best practice suggestions for your backups:

Designate one person to check for the presence of a reasonable quantity of files, monitor total GB being backed up, look for the critical .bak for SQL databases and keep several recent backups plus monthly and yearly backups in case to go back to a prior point in time. If possible, have your backup protocol include the forwarding of a daily email status report to a designated individual(s).

For additional peace of mind ‘image’ PC’s and the file server(s). Software to do this includes use of of Microsoft’s VSS (volume shadow service), or Apple’s Time Machine. I know the Windows image approach only stores the same file one time, even if it is on ten PC’s, so it is very efficient. An advantage of imaging is if for example a hard drive failed the image can be used to restore data and it will actually re-install all of your programs too. That can save a ton of time. (Note: Imaging should not be used as a replacement of on and off site backups.)

Some practice management programs let you create a clone file or an automatically synchronized second database that replicates all of your critical calendar, contacts, matters, and related records including email, notes, documents, phone and billing records and related files (such as .pdf, .xls and .anx).

Check your insurance to see how much coverage you have for the next time you have an event – fire, flood, theft, malware, malcontent, solar flare etc.

When it comes to backups you really do need a plan a, plan b and maybe a plan c. Hopefully these suggestions will help you identify what the right backup protocol should be for your office.

Tom Caffrey
Premier Software
www.premiersoftware.com

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:44-07:00July 2nd, 2012|Software, Tech Stuff|0 Comments

Lawline Offers 1,000+ Hours of Free Continuing Legal Education

“The value of legal education is higher than ever, unfortunately so is the price. But with the relaunch of its website, Lawline.com has set out on a mission to provide legal education to all those eager to learn, for free. With over 1,000 hours of content available, Lawline has recently enabled users to have free access to its entire course library. What started as free mobile-phone access and the original free content website Learn.Lawline.com, has evolved into a completely new education tool for attorneys, professionals and avid learners everywhere.

While those who seek CLE and CPE credits must pay for the certification, every course can be viewed, with full access to written materials, course notes and discussions, without purchase. Viewers are given the easy option to view for free or purchase for credit.

One of the most beneficial tools of Lawline.com’s new website launch includes a completely revamped course center, allowing attorneys and other users to make the most of their easy learning experience. CEO David Schnurman emphasizes the best aspect of the course catalog, “SmartNotes” as a crucial tool in Lawline’s educational reach. “SmartNotes” enables the user to enter and record notes at any point during the course. The notes are archived and can be later accessed bringing the viewer to the same point in the course at which the note was taken.

Schnurman’s overall goal is to cater to the “lifelong learner.” By opening access to Lawline’s courses and even making it a point to continuously add non-CE courses, he has begun to do just that.

For more information please visit www.lawline.com or Robert Ambrogi’s recent blog article “Lawline Opens its Full CLE Catalog to Free Access.”

This article was written by Stephanie Paeprer. Contact her at [email protected]

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:51:54-07:00June 27th, 2012|Ramblings, Tech Stuff|1 Comment

iLawyer: What Happens When Computers Replace Attorneys?

The article linked to below discusses a topic I have been preaching for years. I tell all my lawyer friends, especially young lawyers, that technology has changed and will continue to change the practice of law and you must embrace it and use it to your advantage or your revenue will decrease. What do you think?

The Atlantic: “After decades of killing low-end jobs in retail, software is finally doing the people’s bidding by creating a world with fewer lawyers. In the end, after you’ve stripped away their six-figure degrees, their state bar memberships, and their proclivity for capitalizing Odd Words, lawyers are just another breed of knowledge worker. They’re paid to research, analyze, write, and argue — not unlike an academic, a journalist, or an accountant. So when software comes along that’s smarter or more efficient at those tasks than a human with a JD, it spells trouble. That’s one of the issues the Wall Street Journal raised yesterday in an article on the ways computer algorithms are slowly replacing human eyes when it comes to handling certain pieces of large, high-stakes litigation.”

By On the Net|2012-07-16T19:03:12-07:00June 21st, 2012|Ramblings, Tech Stuff|0 Comments

The Ultimate Guide to the New Google Analytics Social Reports

Kissmetrics: “Social media brings us free traffic, scales well, and requires zero up-front investment. There’s just one problem: tracking social media would make a coal miner weep. I’ve got good news. Tracking social media just got a LOT easier. Recently, Google Analytics received a whole new batch of social reports that break down your social traffic so you know whether or not your social media marketing is working. I’m going to walk you through each new report so you know how to use these puppies. By the end of this post, you’ll be completely comfortable using the new Google Analytics social reports.”

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:44-07:00June 20th, 2012|Google|0 Comments

Google+ Is No Longer Optional For Law Firm Marketing

Law Web Marketing: “Google has once again changed the rules for law firm marketers. What does that mean for your Web strategy? Google+ and Google profiles are a must for collecting positive reviews that show up in Google’s local listings. In the latest change from the online search engine giant, Google accounts and reviews from clients are now firmly linked. Anyone who wants to leave a review for your law firm must have a Google+ account.”

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:51:54-07:00June 20th, 2012|Google|0 Comments

Are You Struggling To Get More Business From Your Website?

Legal Marketing Mavens: “Are you driving regular traffic but it feels like no one is taking the next step to pick up the phone and call? . . . A great way to neutralize the overwhelm and capture a prospect’s information anyway–even if they aren’t quite ready to call–is to implement a strategy of lead generation. Effective lead generation is the process of offering something of value to the prospect in exchange for their contact information.”

By On the Net|2012-07-16T19:08:11-07:00June 11th, 2012|Blogs, Marketing|2 Comments

25 Awesome Free Google Tools for Marketers

Kissmetrics: “Whether you love Google or love to hate Google, you have to admit one thing. Google offers a lot of free tools to use with the convenience of being able to access them with one login. Marketers in particular should take advantage of these tools to get more out of their search engine and social media marketing experience. The following are some of the top Google tools marketers should embrace from A to (almost) Z!”

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:45-07:00June 6th, 2012|Google, Marketing|0 Comments

Copywriting Tutorials for Crafting Effective Copy

Copyblogger: “Copywriting is one of the most essential elements of effective online marketing. The art and science of direct-response copywriting involves strategically delivering words (whether written or spoken) that get people to take some form of action. . . . This tutorial is designed to get you up and running with the basics of writing great copy in ten easy lessons. Afterward, you’ll get recommendations for professional training, plus links to tutorials on SEO copywriting and writing killer headlines.

Don’t Read This or the Kitty Gets It!
To Be or Not To Be?
How to Write Headlines That Work
Why Writing Headlines Deserves a Second Installment
The Structure of Persuasive Copy
Now Featuring Benefits!
“Kids Eat Free” and Other Irresistible Offers
This Article Rocks. . . I Guarantee It!
The Long and Short of Copywriting
The #1 Secret to Great Copy Is. . .“

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:51:54-07:00June 6th, 2012|Marketing|0 Comments

Why Facebook Is Letting You Promote to Your Fans and Why You Should

Duct Tape Marketing: “Facebook recently added a new ‘promoted post’ feature that makes it dead simple to promote individual status updates to you existing fans for a fee. This will be one of the more lucrative features that Facebook has created and comes as a sign that Wall Street needs them to ‘show me the money.’ First off, this move clearly highlights what many have been saying, but until now few could quantify. Facebook uses various signals to determine which of your fans gets to see your status updates in their timeline. If you have lots of fans, but little interaction with those fans, you can bet only about 10% of your fans actually ever see your updates. . . . With the new ‘promoted’ updates feature Facebook spells out to page admins exactly how many fans are seeing each post. Admins are then offered the ability to buy more impressions for $10, $20 or more.

By On the Net|2019-06-17T07:03:16-07:00June 2nd, 2012|Facebook, Marketing|0 Comments

Facebook to Marketers, It’s Time for a Click to Action

Brian Solis: “Marketers must now rethink their Facebook strategy to define click paths and results. As Josh Constine recently reported, Facebook is now giving advertisers access to its API to improve post-click actions. In his post, Constine walks through a series of various scenarios for brands, developers and also local businesses to take advantage of the new Ads API. Here, we’ll talk more about how to start with strategy. With the updated Ads API, advertisers must now think beyond the ‘Like.’ Facebook’s Ads API will allow advertisers to present ads most likely to take specific post-click action such as content sharing, in-app purchases, Facebook Offers, among a list of other actions (see below). In the great pursuit of ROI, Facebook is also taking a lot of the guesswork out of ad campaign development and deployment to enhance desired performance. The new improvements give Facebook advertisers an unprecedented opportunity to connect with specific market segments based on intelligence to introduce more informed campaigns that trigger relevant clicks, conversions, and return.”

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:45-07:00June 2nd, 2012|Facebook, Marketing|0 Comments

The Stupid Things You Do on Facebook & How to Fix Them

Lifehacker has a good post that I recommend all non-expert Facebook users read. I learned that I was doing some stupid Facebook things and didn’t know it. Here is the list of stupid Facebook things:

You Don’t Regularly Audit Your Approved Apps
You Don’t Filter Your News Feeds
You Don’t Manage Your Privacy Settings
You Complain About Facebook Features You Hate But Don’t Fix Them
You Friend Everybody
You Let Facebook Spam Your Email Inbox with Notifications
You Spend All of Your Time on Facebook
But Wait, There’s More!

Have you done any dumb Facebook things not listed above? If so tell us in the comments.

By On the Net|2012-07-16T19:12:56-07:00May 23rd, 2012|Facebook|0 Comments

Lawyers Will & Should Use Facebook

Real Lawyers Have Blogs: “With Facebook’s IPO coming this week you can’t get away from all the news and talk about Facebook. Is all the hullabaloo warranted? Should you care as a lawyer or law firm? Yes. . . . You as a lawyer are going to use Facebook to . . . grow your business so you can do the work you love doing.”

I agree. I see Facebook as a vast potential goldmine for lawyers who want more clients. The reasons lawyers should learn and use Facebook for marketing are:

Facebook has over 900 million users.

Facebook is a one to many marketing tool.

This one to many relationship is what gives Facebook huge potential for law firm marketing. When a visitor comes to your website you have a one to one relationship, i.e., the visitor and your firm. Facebook has a one to many relationship because if one person creates a Facebook link to your website or blog that link is seen by all of that person’s friends.

Facebook is another marketing tool that has a steep learning curve. It does require an investment in time. I think this is wonderful because I know that very few of my competitors will learn how to use Facebook to maximize its marketing potential.

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:46-07:00May 23rd, 2012|Facebook, Marketing|0 Comments

Anatomy of an Effective Home Page

I believe that I need to redesign my websites. I have a lot of great information on my sites, but I need to increase my conversion ratio. I want more visitors to become paying clients. I think two of my problems are my sites are too busy and they do not have good calls to action. I am researching what I can do to solve these two problems and came across a good visual summary on effective home page design. It’s not written specifically for law office web design, but what works for typical commercial websites should work for the law firm website.

++ Click Image to Enlarge ++

Source: The Anatomy of an Effective Homepage Infographic

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:46-07:00May 19th, 2012|Websites|0 Comments

75% of Consumers Seeking an Attorney in Last Year Used Online Resources

Larry Bodine of LexisNexis and the Editor in Chief of Lawyers.com wrote an article that should get the attention of attorneys who do not know that the internet is an untapped goldmine of potential new clients. In his article called “Most Consumers Go Online to Look for an Attorney” he says:

“The way consumers look for a lawyer has changed in today’s digital age. The advent of social media, smart phones and search engines has dramatically affected the way consumers find lawyers. . . . For lawyers, it is essential to have a website and blog that discuss the legal problems of consumers. An attorney’s online presence should feature FAQs, white papers and checklists to be found by consumers conducing online research. . . . For lawyers who want to get leads and find clients, it means having a robust directory profile, activity on social media and client-friendly websites. Lawyers can join the conversation – or miss many opportunities to find consumer clients.”

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:46-07:00May 17th, 2012|Blogs, Marketing, Websites|0 Comments

Content Marketing 101: How to Build Your Business With Content

One of my favorite websites for learning about how to get more traffic to my websites is Copyblogger. Content Marketing 101 starts with:

“Content Marketing means creating and sharing valuable free content to attract and convert prospects into customers, and customers into repeat buyers. The type of content you share is closely related to what you sell; in other words, you’re educating people so that they know, like, and trust you enough to do business with you.

The primary goal is to obtain opt-in permission to deliver content via email or other medium over time. Repeated and regular exposure builds a relevant relationship that provides multiple opportunities for conversion, rather than a “one-shot” all-or-nothing sales approach. . . .

There are many ways to profit with content: blogging, video tutorials, email newsletters, white papers, free reports . . . and yet many people are confused about the entire concept. . . . this quick 5-part tutorial that lays out the basics in plain language.

What’s the Difference Between Content Marketing and Copywriting?

The Three Essentials of Breakthrough Content Marketing

49 Creative Ways You Can Profit From Content Marketing

How to Use Content to Find Customers

Why Content and Social Media are a Powerful Match

Do yourself a favor and sign up to get Copyblogger’s free 20 part internet marketing course and its email updates.

By On the Net|2018-01-14T08:40:47-07:00May 13th, 2012|Marketing|0 Comments

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