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CASE MANAGEMENT/DOCKET CONTROL
Abacus Law Plus, Version 10.10
Abacus Data Systems (800) 726-3339 Internet: http://orion.adnc.com/-websites/law
In today's high-tech world--where new versions of programs are constantly stretching the limits of our hardware, forcing us to buy more powerful equipment--Abacus Law Plus can still be run effectively on a 286 IBM-compatible computer. Yes, that's what I said, a 286, and believe it or not, there are still quite a few 286 and 386 machines out there in cost-conscious law offices.
The number one choice for case management software in Law Office Computing's "Reader Choice Awards" last year, Abacus Law Plus is one of my favorite docket control programs. It can be run in Windows as a DOS application (a Windows version of the program should be available by mid-1996). The program has excellent mouse support, a fairly good, if a little dated, graphical interface, and can be run as a stand-alone program or can be "popped-up" over other programs such as a DOS-based word processor.
Installing Abacus Law is extremely simple, the manuals are easy to use and learning the program is intuitive. All the commands are listed right on the screen so all the user has to do is "point-and-shoot." The daily organizer screen has a "Schedule" section, "Things to Do" section, "Calls to Make" section, and a general area called "Timeless Events." The program also allows the user to enter calendar items by case name. Two features really like are the ability to add new cases, names and events on the fly, and the ability to bring up a list of cases, names, etc. at any time instead of having to remember case numbers or names. In addition, the program has a names module that allows the user to track names, addresses, phone numbers, notes and role (attorney, client, expert, witness, etc.).
Users get two reminder dates for events and the program has a good date calculator for calendaring. It also includes the ability to create court rules so one event can trigger multiple other schedule items. (Abacus also sells court rules and templates for most legal' specialties.) The program allows users to enter recurring events such as weekly staff meetings with one entry. Another great feature is the ability to clone an event...