A hierarchical structure whereby a master record, called a Case (or Docket) has multiple child records, called Applications. Applications are the country records - each of these can also have their own children records for such things as Derivatives, e.g. continuations.
Intelligent filing reference format, allowing case split by business/division/IP type and assignment of blocks of case numbers per business unit/division. Easily identifiable filing route and application types from the filing reference.
Fully featured security model allowing configuration of who has access to what. Audit trails or 'History' is available for application records so details of significant events in an application's life are traceable.
Sophisticated task generation and display system. Tasks provide reminders for all primary attorneys, secondary attorneys, assistants, procedural law/formalities staff. Tasks may be generated manually or automatically on key verification or key data entries. Automatic generation of tasks is site/location specific and is not globally replicated. Primary/secondary attorneys and assistants are linked with task management. There are facilities for individual/bulk reassignment of cases/applications and all of their tasks.
Workflow capabilities exist allowing activities to be automatically passed between users, for example once application numbers/date have been entered they then need to be checked/verified. Once the application number/date has been entered a task will be created informing the verifier to process the data. The verifier will see the new task in their schedule, click on it and then seamlessly access the record to undertake the verification. Once the verification is done, the workflow task is automatically closed.
Alerts arise from key events which occur, they are used to draw the application owner's attention to the critical status of an application e.g. Priority near to the 12 month limit and no substantive filed.
Categories are used in searches or reports to identify a case or cases relevant to or associated with for example a particular technical, research, business area, property, compound or any other suitably chosen category that the user wishes to define.
Comprehensive reports, including 'easy reporting', is provided for user generated reports with no required computing skills. Easy Reporting provides a simple and flexible way to run reports. Each report has a number of "parameters" which can be used as search criteria so that the report shows the exact data that is required. The sorting of the data in reports can also be changed, so that, for example, the most recent data appears either at the start or at the end of the report. User views enable user ad-hoc reporting using tools such as Access, Excel, Crystal Reports.
In order to reduce typing, and to ensure data consistency, controlled reference lists are utilised wherever possible. This reference data within the system (e.g. list of attorneys, technical categories etc) can be managed centrally, either for the whole organization or by business unit/division - the data is created/modified in a single place for use by all thereby reducing administration overheads.
Extensive help text with comprehensive tutorial and examples, including sample fully functional training database. Links to the help through from the system are context sensitive.