An innovative approach to outsourcing
Jinfo Blog

29th December 2009

By Michele Bate

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The knowledge and legal process outsourcing provider Integreon has announced the launch of what it describes as the UK legal industry’s first Shared Information Service for law firms and corporate legal departments. Its services include a central enquiries desk, legal and business research, hard copy and journal management, information supplier management, purchasing and other law library services, according to a press release. (http://digbig.com/5bawdy) Integreon has signed up two new UK legal clients - Beachcroft and TLT Solicitors – who will join Osborne Clarke in using Integreon’s Bristol base for their information needs. In addition, a London-based Information Service team will support the onsite requirements of the firms’ London offices. 11 Beachcroft and TLT staff members will become Integreon employees, joining the 75 Osborne Clarke members who transferred to the shared facility earlier this year. Beachcroft managing partner Paul Murray was quoted as saying: "The information resources we buy are a commodity and we hope that we will save some money through this partnership arrangement. More important to us, however, is having specialist providers working with and supporting us in order to provide development opportunities for our own staff and improved services for everyone in the firm." TLT managing partner David Pester added: "We are currently in the process of consulting with staff but it was important to us to include in the agreement that the firm's existing library employees will have guaranteed roles with Integreon." (http://digbig.com/5bawea) This would appear to be a positive move for both the firms involved and for the information profession. Integreon estimates that its model results in 20 to 30 per cent cost savings compared with traditional in-house library services. The companies will still be able to access staff with specialist expertise and contextual knowledge. Meanwhile, those staff are guaranteed jobs. However, Integreon has not commented on how it will maintain confidentiality for each of its clients under the shared service model. Integreon said in a press release that it was “in talks” with other law firms about their joining the shared library service. It also plans to launch a similar service in the United States within the next few months

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