Here's What to Consider When Starting eDiscovery

13 July 2022 by Anith eDiscovery

Takeaway: eDiscovery can be overwhelming for first-timers, so the key is to use an affordable, easy-to-use eDiscovery subscription service. The best services have document review features you won’t get from a bootstrapped approach, and a responsive customer support team to troubleshoot technical issues.

Taking on eDiscovery can help you rapidly grow your law firm. But it’s worth pausing first to think through the transition.

There’s a mind-boggling amount of electronic data out there, and it’s growing exponentially every year. For instance, the German database company Statista estimated there were 59 zettabytes (one trillion gigabytes) stored worldwide in 2020. And this will triple by 2024. So, companies and firms that tackle the challenges of data management and eDiscovery will need to scale rapidly, too. But this means taking the time to set up the right systems before accepting new cases.

First, you’ll want to invest in dedicated eDiscovery software to simplify your workflows.

You might think that you can replicate an eDiscovery application’s toolset by assembling a mix of whatever you already have. But it’s not that simple. Let’s take file review, for example. Theoretically, you could review your case files using a combination of Microsoft Word, Adobe reader, and Outlook. But consider how inconvenient it is to keep switching applications as you move from one file type to another. For instance, if you’re searching for the keyword phrase ‘Anderson merger,’ you’d have to jump from Word to Adobe to Outlook as you explore your Word documents, PDFs, and emails. And that means juggling three separate tabs/windows simultaneously. Instead, eDiscovery applications convert your files into a common format, allowing you to search them all from a single eDiscovery window. Learn more about why you need eDiscovery software.

Your team might be intimidated by having to learn how to use this new software. But it’s easier than you’d think.

Some of the more advanced eDiscovery applications are hard to figure out, and you’d need a ton of certification before you’re ready to start working. But the more agile eDiscovery applications are so intuitive that you’ll be up and running in minutes – not hours. For instance, we designed GoldFynch around the concept of drag-and-drop eDiscovery. I.e., It uses simple, intuitive actions that you already use every day. So, you’ll move files around by dragging-and-dropping them from window to window, you’ll log into the software online as you’d do with email (no downloads or installations), you’ll store files in the cloud as you do with Dropbox, and you’ll search for keywords as you’d do with Google.

Also, the best applications have pricing plans that let you walk away without losing an upfront investment.

The latest generation of eDiscovery applications are services you subscribe to, rather than software your download. This means you only have to ever pay a small monthly subscription fee, as opposed to a large initial software/hardware investment. And with a storage-based pricing system, your fees depend only on how much online storage space you need. (And this storage space is surprisingly affordable because, in the cloud, everyone shares hard drive space and splits the bill.) So, once you’ve chosen a case plan, you’ll know upfront what your monthly eDiscovery bill will be. And it’ll be prorated, so you can switch subscription plans without paying for storage space you haven’t used.

While evaluating prices, remember that ‘expensive’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘better.’

When choosing eDiscovery software, consider who it was designed for. Many are designed for larger firms with massive cases, so they have features like ‘predictive coding’ – i.e., the ability to spot your file review patterns and make suggestions accordingly. Features like this are impressive, but they hike your subscription fees. And they’re overkill for smaller law firms looking to cut costs. Instead, focus on finding affordable software that can ace eDiscovery basics like searching, tagging, redacting, and producing your files.

Finally, prioritize software that comes with inbuilt support options.

Since eDiscovery can be overwhelming initially, look for software with the right ‘support’ features to help you out. For instance, does your software come with a responsive customer support team? (You won’t want to troubleshoot technical problems without assistance.) And will it help you set up ‘managed reviews’? (Managed reviews are where an independent team of attorneys reviews your eDiscovery documents for you. The best teams are well-trained, have a lot of experience, and are very cost-effective.) These managed reviews free up your paralegals, associates, and partners to tackle other legal tasks with a higher rate of return.

Are you interested in exploring your eDiscovery software options? If so, try GoldFynch.

GoldFynch is an online eDiscovery service offering all the essential eDiscovery review tools you’ll need via a simple, user-friendly interface. Here are some things first-timers love about GoldFynch:

It costs just $27 a month for a 3 GB case: That’s significantly less than most comparable software. With GoldFynch, you know what you’re paying for exactly – its pricing is simple and readily available on the website.
It’s easy to budget for. GoldFynch charges only for storage (processing files is free). So, choose from a range of plans (3 GB to 150+ GB) and know up-front how much you’ll be paying. You can upload and cull as much data as you want, as long as you stay below your storage limit. And even if you do cross the limit, you can upgrade your plan with just a few clicks. Also, billing is prorated – so you’ll pay only for the time you spend on any given plan. With legacy software, pricing is much less predictable.
It takes just minutes to get going. GoldFynch runs in the cloud, so you use it through your web browser (Google Chrome recommended). No installation. No sales calls or emails. Plus, you get a free trial case (0.5 GB of data and a processing cap of 1 GB) without adding a credit card.
It’s simple to use. Many eDiscovery applications take hours to master. GoldFynch takes minutes. It handles a lot of complex processing in the background, but what you see is minimal and intuitive. Just drag-and-drop your files into GoldFynch, and you’re good to go. Plus, you get prompt and reliable tech support.
Access it from anywhere, and 24/7. All your files are backed up and secure in the cloud.

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