Lawyers Provide First Virtual Link For Clients

gen-i implements web enabled solution for Simpson Grierson

AUCKLAND, 31 January 2001 – Internet Integrator, gen-i limited, has built and implemented a corporate extranet for leading law firm, Simpson Grierson, which allows its lawyers to provide legal information online.

The specialist team at gen-i has established a ‘virtual space’ for Simpson Grierson, by giving clients currently involved in a pilot programme direct access to a range of information including client matters, current project reports, Simpson Grierson team profiles, monthly newsletters, seminar schedules and media information.

This allows Simpson Grierson to experience business initiatives that can be driven by partners and clients, gain closer relationships with their clients by focussing on adding value and thus allow clients to enjoy a more customised service experience via an online channel.

“Simpson Grierson’s focus on delivering innovative and specialist services for our clients was the catalyst for developing a corporate extranet solution,” says Valerie Fogg, IS Manager, Simpson Grierson.

“The real value created by the new system is the capability for lawyers to directly update service areas of importance, without reliance from a webmaster or internet specialist. We believe this is an area of differentiation in the deployment of the solution.

“It also allows the legal teams to have control over the content and the confidentiality of the information is maintained.”

The solution involved developing an architecture for the web environment, building hardware, designing and customising the application (building, configuring, software development), providing administration and "train and trainer" training, as well as project/system configuration and administrator documentation.

“Our main objectives for this project were to enable publishing of static, client specific information on the web, implement the extranet service to three pilot programme clients and also establish direct connectivity between its web environment and those clients,” says Lim Leong, Ventures Senior Consultant, gen-i limited.

An essential part of the project was to ensure compatible security policies and physical connectivity between Simpson Grierson and the client and also design and configure the Simpson Grierson web environment (Virtual Web sites).

The system was designed to give direct connectivity to the internet
(private connection) with high levels of security being maintained via a firewall
(plus authentication, SSL 128 bit encryption and document security) and further
added support for the Virtual Private Network (VPN).

While the initial phase of the extranet is now complete, Simpson Grierson and gen-i will review other areas to enhance the functionality of the extranet to deliver even greater value to a growing client base.

ENDS

About gen-i
gen-i limited is the first and largest New Zealand-based e-business Internet integrator, focussing on designing, building, implementing and supporting e-business solutions and systems for large corporate customers. With more than 400 people at offices in major centres in New Zealand, gen-i extends customer support worldwide – both online and through a network of service partners.
gen-i has four major areas of focus and expertise: Infrastructure, Ventures, Field Force and Procurement.
gen-i Infrastructure is geared to providing and supporting all the hardware, software and networks required for today’s e-business – and to achieve that in a number of new ways. gen-i Ventures is an Internet innovation operation geared to providing knowledge and experience, including building e-commerce sites, Intranets, extranets and implementing and supporting a wide range of e-business and traditional applications. gen-i field Force is New Zealand’s leading technology engineering onsite capability, expertly trained and ready to deploy or maintain the country’s leading technology networks. gen-i Procurement provides a fast, easy and cost-effective way to select, purchase, install and maintain office technologies.
Prior to its name change in 2000, gen-i traded successfully for more than 20 years as Wang New Zealand.

About Simpson Grierson

Founded in 1887, Simpson Grierson is one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest law firms. It has around 230 lawyers, including 49 partners, and is one of New Zealand’s strongest commercial law practices. Simpson Grierson has expertise in banking and finance, commercial property, construction, corporate advisory, dispute resolution, e-commerce, employment, energy, environmental, government and business, health, information technology, intellectual property, local government, public law, superannuation, tax, telecommunications, transportation and venture capital.

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