This post was last updated on July 13th, 2019 at 11:23 am
“Magic Circle” Law Firm Shaves 100’s of Hours From Document Audits
Whilst RFID is an established technology, new developments give users greater capabilities such as increased read range for document tracking and auditing using smaller, lightweight handheld readers and mobile phone apps.
The experience of one Magic Circle law firm demonstrates the benefits. The firm, which has more than 2,000 staff and tens of thousands of files across multiple floors at its London headquarters, had previously used barcodes to tag files.
However keeping track of them was a constant challenge and, to carry out an audit, the document management team had to take out each file and scan them individually – a process which took up around 400 hours of staff time every quarter.
RFID Technology Ideal for Law Firms Tracking Sensitive Files.
The team decided to replace barcodes with a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) solution and chose CoreRFID to design the system and implement the project.
The Result
Using RFID, the document management team can now scan the entire repository using a combination of mobile and fixed RFID readers and the information is immediately relayed to the database. It has reduced the staff time required to carry out an audit from 400 to just four hours – thus saving 200 working days since the system was installed a year ago.
When a folder has not been returned, the team scan the offices with the hand-held RFID readers, or mobile phones using an RFID app, which can detect any RFID tags within a two to three metre range – allowing missing files to be tracked down in minutes.
In addition to saving staff time, RFID has also reduced the time period in which an audit can be carried out from three months to an hour, as well as providing greater accuracy and enhanced security.
The firm’s document services manager comments: “We have always had comprehensive security procedures in place but are constantly seeking ways to improve efficiency. In particular we like solutions that are easy to implement and use, and don’t require lots of new equipment. The RFID system met all those criteria.
“The system has made it much easier for us to manage our repository, as we can track files without physically seeing them. It also reduces human error and provides greater assurance in terms of security. It has exceeded our expectations and we’re working with CoreRFID to explore opportunities to expand the system, both in terms of functionality and locations.”
Munzi Ali, technical director of CoreRFID, comments: ‘It’s vital that law firms can track and monitor all case files and quickly retrieve the information whenever required. RFID technology allows them to check the location of files or other valuable assets in minutes.
“Security can also be enhanced for legal firms, with readers located at office exit points to detect when a file is leaving the building. RFID is ideal for any organisation that has to securely manage large numbers of records.”
