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Locus has been trusted by law firms for its quality service and reliable software for 40 years.
Locus’ service approach and innovative software solutions undergo a process of continual review and enhancement to ensure that they remain relevant to the changing needs of law firms.
Since its inception, the Locus service mission has not changed. It remains to “help lawyers secure the benefits of technology”.
Locus’ Trusted Upgrade Path
More than 1,400 individual law offices and over 15,000 fee earners benefit from Locus’ innovative legal software, and continuous upgrade path.
Locus’ valued clients range from sole practitioners to some of the largest and most innovative law firms in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Fiji.
Company Background
Locus stands for Legal Office Computer User Services (Locus). The founders of Locus in 1966 were Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants who saw the need to deploy technology to improve the methods of the professional practices rather than merely duplicate the older methods that were popular in the age of manual office work.
LexisNexis acquired the business of Locus in December 2007. Customers in Australia and the region will benefit from the integration of Locus and LexisNexis content, services and software tools to address specific practice management needs.
Locus has enjoyed a history of over three decades of specialisation in legal practice automation and is responsible for such innovations as:
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client and file tracking |
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system checking and audit trail |
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control of trust and office funds |
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controls in performance of trust money responsibilities |
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time and diary management |
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delegation control |
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document management |
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linux control software |
The Locus Team resources comprise more than 80 specialists who are actively engaged in all phases of delivering the benefits of technology. This includes research and development, service and support, installation, education and training, and consulting services to clients.
The Locus mission is to help lawyers to secure the benefits of technology. The effectiveness of the Locus team in meeting this objective is reflected in Locus’ leading position as software provider to Australian and overseas lawyers.
Join the Knowledge Workers
Popular recognition of the Knowledge Age has only emerged in recent years. Nevertheless, the conditions for the recognition of the Knowledge Age have existed in Locus policies for more than two decades.
How Can You Make it Happen in your Practice?
The Locus approach is tailored to the individual practice. An experienced consultant will assist you to assess the scope and existing methods of your practice in carrying out a Cost v Benefits Study. This will consider the style and variety as well as the size of your practice and the benefits available from different approaches to automation.
As a result, you will receive a recommendation backed up by the demonstration of various aspects of Locus software that are important for your practice. Your Locus consultant is a trained adviser and will provide sufficient detail for you and your partners to recognise the benefits of the general approaches and how they may be customised and built into the unique system that will maximise your benefits.
Realistic Expectations
As a practising lawyer, you are, of course, aware of the need for clear understanding of what may be achieved and documenting it accurately. The LocusCare Service Arrangements brochure will clarify the position, and explain the extent to which you may rely on Locus for performance of its recommendations. It will also point out the areas in which you need to rely on your own competence as a practising lawyer, since Locus is neither qualified as a lawyer, nor present in your practice as a supervisor.
Future Technology
Locus is unique in that its legal practice software has ‘survived and thrived’ for nearly three decades. This period in technology terms is rather like the ice age in world history since so many generations of computers have evolved and disappeared. Locus, on the other hand, has maintained a continuous flow of software which not only performs the legal office functions, but also provides the user with a continous path to the next technology platform.
The point is illustrated by the initial development of Locus software on service bureau computers, then standalone in-house mini computers, thence to micro computers and networks, and subsequently to more advanced platforms for networking and integration. The currently supported platforms include: Linux, Unix, Microsoft Windows NT, 95, 98, 2000, Novell Netware, and Citrix VPN, to name a few of the effective alternatives that Locus clients currently use.
Locus Direct Stationery
An important lesson from the early days of technology change was that computer systems do not supplant the need for proper security documentation in traditional written form. The forms and procedures are even more critical for the Knowledge Age since computed forms now provide either input to or documentation of computerised systems. Locus provides a comprehensive range of stationery and supplies, software tools and documentation which will add to the workflow efficiency and security of your office.
Similarly, the task of records storage has become increasingly important with the high speed paper production capacity of the computer. Locus provides a range of storage materials which will facilitate the efficient running of the office with optimum security, and in conformity with the standards of professional bodies and their regulations.
Education
The finest system in the world is of no value unless people understand how to use it. Locus emphasises education and provides a wide range of courses. Courses are regularly scheduled in Locus Training Centres in capital cities or are presented by experienced Locus consultants in clients’ offices. The courses cover current aspects of management of the law office in the Knowledge Age, and the operation of Locus and other software for maximum efficiency.
Locus Research and Development
Locus invests a substantial proportion of analytical and programming skills to planning the development of new applications and uplifting of clients’ files to achieve the expanded benefits of later technology.
LocusCare
The LocusCare service arrangements brochure precisely defines what you can realistically expect from your Locus system, software and services. This service primarily provides clients with comprehensive services to maintain software and provide upward mobility to the next technology. For more information please refer to the Services page.
How May I Obtain Locus Services?
In addition to a team of experienced consultants, Locus provides service representatives who will assist the Locus client to achieve the maximum benefit from his system. This will include reviewing office procedures and diagnosing problems with hardware technology.
A Locus consultant is available to assist you without obligation to consider the possible benefits and the optimum method of joining the Knowledge Age. For more information, please contact Locus InfoLine.
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