ContractExpress

ContractExpress

Developer(s)	Business Integrity
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Type	Document Automation
Website	http://www.contract-express.com

ContractExpress is a Document Automation program designed and produced by Business Integrity, a company focussed on contract automation^[1] based in the UK and US. ContractExpress is delivered in server based and Software as a service format. Users of the solution are typically law firms and corporations, such as Clifford Chance and Microsoft,.^[2]

ContractExpress template creation is conducted entirely within the Microsoft Word interface. The add-on for Word 2007 installs a custom ribbon tab to utilise .NET functionality, the button controls variables, optional text and questionnaire editing amongst other options.^[3] Utilising bracket-based mark-up to specify conditional text and variable fields, the author creates a template for a contract. Once published, other users can then manipulate the document using a pre-defined questionnaire to apply client specific details and preferences. Accordingly, the need for programming skills is removed; a basic knowledge of document mark-up is all that is required.^[4] It is notable that the field control used is derived from the conventions of traditional legal document mark-up, i.e. use of square brackets to indicate areas for document specific information.^[5]

Editions

ContractExpress for SharePoint

Built around Microsoft SharePoint the enterprise edition is designed to encompass contract lifecycle management including contract creation, execution and archiving. The system utilizes customizable (and preset) workflow systems, allowing for out-of-the-box control of the document lifecycle.^[6]

ContractExpress for SharePoint can be deployed within an existing SharePoint environment or as a standalone application running on Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) (a free component of Windows Server). Documents are output in editable and non-editable formats, for example PDF form or .doc. This functionality is intended for situations, for example, where "sales people adapt old documents without legal department review, they may insert unapproved language or delete important language, changes that can cause legal issues later".^[2]

ContractExpress.com

Based on DealBuilder technology utilizing a cloud delivery system. As per the above versions, document mark-up takes place in a normal Microsoft Word document however cloud delivery allows for remote access from any web browser.^[7]

Use of cloud technology allows for setting up of systems without the associated infrastructure requirement and is a growing tool for deployment of software solutions. Some companies do not require all the features of server based document automation and so functioning in the cloud can reduce potentially unnecessary infrastructure spend and technological expertise requirements.^[8] This broadens the potential market for document automation to smaller and solo firms as well as larger companies.^[9]

ContractExpress DealBuilder

The ContractExpress DealBuilder system is built on technology standards: Microsoft .Net 3.5; Microsoft Office 2007; Open XML and Windows Communication Foundation. ContractExpress DealBuilder supports the generation of Word 2007 OpenXML (.docx), Word 97-2003 (.doc), Word-RTF, PDF and XPS.^[10]

See also

• Document Automation
• Cloud Computing
• Intelligent Document
• Document Modelling
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Sharepoint

Further reading

• Lauristen, Mark. The Lawyer's Guide To Working Smarter With Knowledge Tools. American Bar Association. ISBN 978-1-60442-826-1
• Susskind, Richard. The End Of Lawyers?. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-954172-0

References

1. ^ "Why going online is better for everyone By Richard Susskind". The Sunday Times. 2005-07-19. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article544656.ece. Retrieved 2010-06-24. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Inside Counsel: Document Assembly Speeds Contract Process". http://www.insidecounsel.com/Issues/2010/July-2010/Pages/Document-Assembly-System-Provides-Efficiency.aspx?page=1. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
3. ^ "Law.com: Sum of Parts". 2010-06-01. http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202458746868. Retrieved 2010-06-29. 
4. ^ "AdamsDrafting: Business Integrity Launches ContractExpress.Com". http://www.adamsdrafting.com/2010/02/10/business-integrity-launches-contractexpress-dot-com/. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
5. ^ Legal IT Professionals: New Document Assembly Features Put ContractExpress.com at the Heart of Law Firms’ Interactions with Clients, 2010-10-02, http://www.legalitprofessionals.com/America-news/new-document-assembly-features-put-contractexpresscom-at-the-heart-of-law-firms-interactions-with-clients.html, retrieved 2010-10-19 
6. ^ "Contract Express for SharePoint". http://www.business-integrity.com/products/contractexpresssharepoint/default.html. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
7. ^ "ContractExpress.com". http://www.business-integrity.com/products/contractexpresscom/default.html. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
8. ^ "Document Assembly on the Move By Seth Rowland". 2010-02-06. http://bashasys.info/index.php/weblog/automation/dcoument_assembly_on_the_move_contract_express/. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
9. ^ "Futurelawyer: ContractExpress - Document Assembly in the Cloud". http://futurelawyer.typepad.com/futurelawyer/2010/02/contractexpress---document-assembly-in-the-cloud.html. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 
10. ^ "ContractExpress DealBuilder datasheet". http://www.business-integrity.com/resources/datasheets/DS_CEDealBuilder.html. Retrieved 2010-06-25. 

External links

• Fall in Line With Document Assembly
• Podcasts for desperate and diligent students By Richard Susskind
• Document Assembly and Case Management: Document Assembly on the Move