Olswang is a leading law firm renowned for its work in the technology, media, communications and real estate industries. It employs over 650 people in London, the Thames Valley, Brussels, and Berlin. An alliance with US law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP extends the Firm’s international capability, and additionally it provides services in over 80 countries through a network of like-minded law firms around the globe.
Communication is key to Olswang, and IT systems play a pivotal role. Regularly away from their offices, Olswang lawyers need to keep in touch with the latest case developments and be immediately aware of any changes to their schedules. But with frequent meetings people can often find themselves overwhelmed by accumulated emails that can adversely affect the service they give clients if not promptly dealt with. Three companies were asked to propose a solution.
Clive Knott, IT Director at Olswang, explains, “We had conventional remote access and also had web mail capability, but neither went far enough. We needed to find an affordable solution to provide secure email access. BT showed that it clearly understood both the technology and our requirements. The BlackBerry solution that it tabled was a strong commercial offer, incorporating comprehensive training and the highest levels of in-life service support.”
Flexible working
Around one hundred BlackBerry devices were deployed initially. BlackBerry works with Microsoft Exchange, using the same email addresses, and includes features that allow users to control which messages are received through the use of filters that monitor key words and message fields.
Clive Knott says, “As soon as we introduced the BlackBerry everybody took to them instantly. It did not take us long to recognise the significant efficiency and productivity gains this device would bring to us.” One year on from that original deployment, the benefits of flexible working and contactability were even more apparent, and the Firm decided to roll out additional BlackBerry devices to all fee earners, partners and associates, as well as operational staff and secretarial managers.
BlackBerry technology has also moved on and these latest models have integrated voice and data capability, longer battery life, and more memory. This means BlackBerry users no longer need to carry a separate mobile phone.
Service improvement
BlackBerry gives Olswang staff the opportunity to work wherever they are, right around the clock, thanks to secure and unlimited access to critical information. Applications that increase personal productivity, enhance mobility and flexibility, and make communication across different time zones that much easier add to the value.
In fact, Olswang has just completed a proof of concept exercise using Word and Excel on the BlackBerry, which will be rolled out shortly. This will enable users to be even more productive while on the move. Most critically, the BlackBerry improves the quality of service delivered to clients.
A spin-off benefit is the significant strengthening of business continuity for Olswang. Should a disaster affect an Olswang office, its staff can still communicate with each other and with clients using the BlackBerry. Each BlackBerry also has a unique PIN so that, even if the duplicated BlackBerry Enterprise Servers were off the air, users could still communicate using a “PIN to PIN” email capability.
Olswang lawyers’ personal time is being transformed as well. By reducing the need for people to log in to email in the evenings, at weekends, or while on holiday, their work life balance has been substantially improved.
Clive Knott concludes, “The BT-supplied BlackBerry has been a revelation. It is now a business critical service – the users couldn’t do without it – and we are looking at the possible deployment of other applications to further enhance productivity and efficiency.” The three-year contract with BT has been extended and now provides for the supply of 420 BlackBerry wireless handheld devices.
For more information on the BlackBerry solution that Olswang took from BT click here
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