Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Flex Discovery Solutions Case Study: Consultative Approach to E-discovery Project with Back-up Tapes

Background

An international construction company abruptly ceases operation in certain states. Several contracts are left unfulfilled. The client is tasked with determining the cause of the shutdown and assessing the overall business damages incurred on entities holding outstanding contracts.

The Problem

The client was presented with 8 DLT Tapes Containing Approximately 450 Gigabytes of information from a point in time system wide backup. The backup contained Lotus Notes mailboxes and complete fileservers for accounting, sales and human resource departments. Due to the fact that the law firm was not familiar with the contents of the tapes, they initially submitted a keyword list that was extremely broad and would have returned “responsive” data at an estimated 85% of the total population.

The Common Solution

The most common way to deal with this project is to initially restore the entire tape collection. The cost for this process ranges from $200 to $700 per tape. After the data is restored, ESI processing is required for the entire population. In normal “data in/data out” scenarios, the data is ingested into conversion systems at or around $200 per source gigabyte. The potential cost for this phase after deduplication is around $75,000. Utilizing the initial, overly inclusive keyword list would have returned approximately 325 responsive gigabytes for processing into the client’s final database format. At the common cost of $450 per final processed “data out” gigabyte, this portion could easily have cost the client an additional $146,000.00. The total for the common solutions could have easily surpassed $220,000 and yielded a 325 gigabyte database, or 800,000 documents for review.

The Flex Solution:

Instead of the process recommended by other vendors, Flex consultants proposed an alternative processing path. Instead of starting the ESI conversion process after restoring the 8 tapes, entire 450 gigabytes, Flex utilized existing technology to index the entire tape set. At this point the client was able to perform high level searches on the entire document collection that numbered near 1 million documents. After a week of searching and analyzing this data, the client was able to narrow down the final responsive set to about 105 gigabytes, or 250,000 documents. This data was processed and load files were created for 2 separate review packages.

This alternative process saved our client approximately 75% of the estimated cost incurred utilizing the “common” approach. The Flex Solution also allowed for additional substantial cost savings on the document review phase of the project by yielding approximately 500,000 fewer documents for teams to review.

The timeline for completion of this project was 30 days.

Final Cost Comparison

Common Solution: $220,000 plus review of 800,000 documents
Flex Solutions: $ 50,000 plus review of 250,000 documents

The Flex Difference

This case study is one of many instances that illustrate the Flex Difference. We are not only another E-discovery vendor. We consult with our clients to identify their needs on a case by case basis and present them with solutions that yield predictive and controlled costs while providing all the information critical to proving and winning the case at hand.

For more information and specific references on this case study, Please contact Damon Sparks at dsparks@flexdiscovery.com

Monday, August 16, 2010

Flex Discovery Solutions Announces Newest Team Members in the Houston Office

Flex Discovery Solutions continues to grow its Houston office and announces several key hires:

Mr. Shay Hanson has joined Flex Discovery Solutions as Senior Litigation Consultant. With six years experience in the litigation support/information management industry, Shay brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to Flex. He has worked with numerous corporate and law firm clients on a variety of matters and consistently helps them to find creative and cost effective ways to improve results. Shay has earned a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas.

Mr. Kevin Nugent has joined Flex Discovery as Production Manager. For 19 years Kevin has managed some of the largest and most intense production centers in the industry. He has completed fast-paced and complex projects with teams of more than sixty personnel and in excess of 65 projects daily. Kevin studied Business Management at Texas A&M University.

Mrs. Toya Sims has joined Flex Discovery as Production Specialist. Toya has been in the litigation support/information management industry for five years. She has a variety of experience including EDD support such as Excel formatting, PST checks, QC, scanning, etc. She is A+ certified and has earned an Associates Degree in Electronics from ITT Technical Institute.

Mr. Josh Marshall has joined Flex Discovery as Customer Service Representative. Josh comes to Flex with three years sales experience and numerous sales awards. He has earned a BBA in Business Management and a BBA in Marketing from Sam Houston State University.

“We are truly thrilled to add such tremendous talent to the Flex team in Houston,” said Steven S. McNew, President of Flex Discovery Solutions. “Our clients are sure to benefit from our continued investment in our people and our depth of service and support.”

About Flex Discovery Solutions:
Flex Discovery Solutions is a game-changing e-discovery and information management provider. With a keen focus on simplifying complex pricing structures, reducing overall costs and timelines, and providing tremendous insight throughout the e-discovery process, Flex Discovery Solutions is changing the way legal professionals manage their projects. See the Flex Discovery Solutions “Operating Principles” at www.flexdiscovery.com.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Ukranian Company, FIM Group, Selects Flex Discovery

Today Flex Discovery Solutions announces that it was selected by FIM Group to conduct a project in Kiev, Ukraine. Under the terms of agreement, Flex Discovery will provide consulting and information management services to FIM Group.

“This is a very exciting engagement for us,” said Steven S. McNew, President of Flex Discovery Solutions. “We have already had a team at FIM Group’s headquarters in Kiev and we look forward to providing services to them over the next several quarters. FIM Group is an outstanding group of people. We are thrilled and honored to have an opportunity to assist them. The fact that we have been entrusted by FIM Group on this very important engagement is further evidence of Flex Discovery’s success in being a recognized leader of legal information management services to the international community.”

Nataly Tchaikovska, Executive Director of FIM Group stated, “We are very happy to be working with Flex Discovery Solutions. After meeting with the Flex team, we are certain that we have made a great choice in working with them. We are confident that this is the beginning of a great relationship that will endure for years to come.” Daniel Rekrut, FIM Group’s Legal adviser on International Affairs added “The Flex team is extremely professional and efficient. Their assistance is invaluable to our ongoing successes as we navigate the challenges of working with the Unites States legal system.”

About Flex Discovery Solutions:
Flex Discovery Solutions is a game-changing e-discovery and information management provider. With a keen focus on simplifying complex pricing structures, reducing overall costs and timelines, and providing tremendous insight throughout the e-discovery process, Flex Discovery Solutions is changing the way legal professionals manage their projects. See the Flex Discovery Solutions “Operating Principles” at www.flexdiscovery.com.

About FIM Group:
FIM Group of Companies is represented by two main divisions: FIM Group – an investment company and FIM Consulting Plus – consulting company providing services on project management. Please see www.fim.ua for more information.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Flex Discovery Solutions is selected as the exclusive e-discovery provider for Copy Source 1

Flex Discovery Solutions Announces that it has been selected as the exclusive e-discovery provider for Copy Source 1

Today Flex Discovery Solutions announces that it has been selected as the exclusive e-discovery partner for Copy Source 1. Under the terms of the partnership agreement, Flex Discovery will be the exclusive provider of e-discovery services to Copy Source 1 and its clients for the next three years. These services will include data collection, Early Case Assessment, e-discovery processing, and hosting.

“Over the years, we have evaluated quite a few companies, but haven’t found the right partner until now,” says Johnny Nguyen, Managing Partner of Copy Source 1. “We have found their expertise to be un-matched and the entire team at Flex has impressed us.” Lou Garcia, Managing Partner of Copy Source 1, added, “We knew we had to address our clients’ needs for e-discovery and we wanted to offer the very best. We believe we have found that in Flex Discovery.”

“This is a very exciting partnership for us,” said Steven S. McNew, President of Flex Discovery Solutions. “I am honored to have been selected by such a fine organization. The entire Flex team is truly looking forward to working with the Copy Source 1 team and their clients. Our e-discovery capabilities are among the best in the industry and this partnership expands our ability to continue to grow our market share and showcase our abilities to an even broader client base. Copy Source 1 is well known in the industry for its outstanding quality and unrivaled customer support. We are proud to have earned this partnership.”

Ramiro Vidaurri, Managing Partner of Copy Source 1 stated “this partnership allows us to approach the e-discovery market very confidently. We know that we have a partner who will be there to support our needs and to exceed our expectations.” Gilbert Ybarbo, Managing Partner of Copy Source 1, adds, “I speak for the entire team when I say that we are thrilled about our future with Flex Discovery Solutions.”

About Flex Discovery Solutions:
Flex Discovery Solutions is a game-changing e-discovery and information management provider. With a keen focus on simplifying complex pricing structures, reducing overall costs and timelines, and providing tremendous insight throughout the e-discovery process, Flex Discovery Solutions is changing the way legal professionals manage their projects. See the Flex Discovery Solutions “Operating Principles” at www.flexdiscovery.com.

About Copy Source 1:
Copy Source 1 is a full service document management company. We provide support for clients engaged in litigation, as well as corporate entities searching for ways to gain better control of their paper and electronic documents. Visit our website at www.copysource1.com.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Flex Sponsors the HCPA CLE Tomorrow

Flex is sponsoring the Houston Corporate Paralegal Association CLE tomorrow. Taylor Pullins, Esq., Vinson & Elkins LLP will present on ”Making the Case for Corporate Compliance Programs”.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

A new Press Release by Digital Reef

Digital Reef Partners with Flex Discovery for eDiscovery Projects

Companies bring Early Case Assessment software and expertise together to make eDiscovery faster and more cost-efficient

BOXBOROUGH, Mass., April 21, 2010—Digital Reef (www.digitalreefinc.com), a leading software provider of the first massively scalable and open solutions for eDiscovery and digital information governance, today announced a partnership with Flex Discovery Solutions, an eDiscovery and information management provider. The partnership will help law firms and corporate counsel to significantly lower the costs, mitigate risks and reduce time associated with eDiscovery through Early Case Assessment (ECA).

Corporate legal departments and law firms are faced by complex legal and IT issues that require both powerful analysis, reporting and litigation expertise. With this partnership, Flex Discovery will be able to bring the fastest technology solution to its legal clients, both in-house and corporate, to meet these significant and increasing demands. Flex Discovery chose Digital Reef’s Early Case Assessment application for its speed, sophisticated reporting and analytics as well as the visibility and control it brings to all aspects of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model within one scalable, integrated solution. Digital Reef’s ECA application and Virtual Governance Warehouse augments Flex Discovery’s solutions and gives the company the ability to handle its clients’ mounting volumes of data together with eDiscovery and ECA needs.

“Flex Discovery is an ideal partner for us given their deep experience and expertise in litigation support and readiness. We’re excited that they have selected Digital Reef as an offering for their client base and confident it will provide them with a powerful and effective technology solution. This also will allow us to expand our footprint in the marketplace,” said Larry D’Angelo, Vice President of Sales, Digital Reef, Inc.

“We take great pride in offering world-class, best-of-breed technology to our clients and I couldn’t be more pleased to offer a unique product like Digital Reef to our clients,” said Steven S. McNew, President of Flex Discovery Solutions. “Our clients are sure to benefit from the speed, ease of use, and cost effectiveness offered by the combination of Flex Discovery Solutions and Digital Reef.”


About Flex Discovery Solutions:
Flex Discovery Solutions is a game-changing e-discovery and information management provider. With a keen focus on simplifying complex pricing structures, reducing overall costs and timelines, and providing tremendous insight throughout the e-discovery process, Flex Discovery Solutions is changing the way legal professionals manage their projects. See the Flex Discovery Solutions “Operating Principles” at www.flexdiscovery.com.

About Digital Reef

Digital Reef is a leading software provider helping corporations, law firms, and service providers with eDiscovery and Digital Information Governance. Both corporate and IT executives are challenged to find and manage the right information, at the right time necessary to respond to constant business demands such as government laws and regulations, corporate accountability and compliance, and IT digital file and storage policies. Using the industry’s most scalable and open Virtual Governance Warehouse, businesses can rapidly collect, analyze, and then govern information. Digital Reef gives businesses an unprecedented control of their information which can be derived from wherever it resides including emails, documents, repositories, and over 400 different types of files, including images. With Digital Reef, organizations have a standard, disciplined approach to continuously govern information for projects driven by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, FTC false claims, Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC risk assessments, FDA approvals, and internal IT policies for digital information security, retention, and file management. Enterprises and their law firms, services providers, and consultants across all industries rely on Digital Reef for the fastest way to transform un-managed information into valuable assets.

Founded in 2006, Digital Reef is headquartered in Boxborough, Mass. For more information call 978-893-1000 or visit www.digitalreefinc.com.

________________________________________
Press Contacts
Ariane Doud
Matter Communications
978-499-9250 x 239
Ariane@matternow.com

Monday, April 12, 2010

New White Paper by Thomas Strachan, Esq. of Fulbright & Jaworski endorses Flex Discovery Solutions' approach to AFA's

As you may already know, Flex Discovery Solutions provides Flex Plans (alternative fee arrangements "AFA's") to our clients. While it is not uncommon for law firms to provide AFA's, it is quite revolutionary for an e-discovery provider to offer them.

Accoring to a new White Paper, written by the Manager, Global Litigation Client Relations at Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. “The bottom line is that many corporations are placing a great deal of pressure on law firms to cut costs and to be accurate in budgeting from the outset of a case. Law firms cannot afford to have their fees capped under an AFA while having open-ended obligations to their e-discovery services providers for myriad per-unit fees that are unknown at the beginning of litigation.”

The author, Thomas Strachan, Esq., comments "The good news is that there has been a shift in the supply and demand curves for e-discovery. While some of the established e-discovery providers have been slow to adapt to the changing market realities, other, newer providers are seizing the opportunity to create new business models for e-discovery. For example, Flex Discovery, headquartered in Houston, offers law firms advanced technology for processing e-discovery under a pricing model that gives firms the best of both worlds – low “all-in” fixed fees with an option to pay à la carte prices if that would result in lower e-discovery bills. While traditional vendors may resist the risk-sharing inherent in fixed fee e-discovery arrangements, they will have to meet the competitive challenge posed by these new entrants or face possible erosion of their customer base."

Read the entire White Paper at: http://flexdiscovery.com/downloads/changeslooming.pdf