Electronic discovery services-what is it all about

The way we access, modify or append electrically stored information is known Electronic discovery services or e-discovery services. It is a process or a method of selection. Any data available in digitized form is Electronic discovery services or e-discovery services. So it can mean anything from your email account’s password to your latest Facebook post. It is the collection of your information on the internet or web. The online footprint of people is increasing because they have started gaining more and more access to internet.

One thing to be considered is that it is just not about what you put online voluntarily which is termed as electronic data. It is also the details that the HR department of your company has on you as an employee. Simply put, if your data is digitized, you are easier to get hold of, literally.

What is the relevance of Electronic discovery services?

litigation support, lawyers and attorneys are some of the cases where it is used. They have simplified their workflow to a great deal.

Electrnoics discovery services – what does it have

There are 3 parts with the help of which Electronics discovery services can be explained.

1. Data processing: videos, audios, emails, text, websites, blogs etc is the form of online data. Electronic discovery services are required to process this data at real- time speed. It also includes scanning of documents.
   
2. Data collection and data preservation: The online footprint of the people that you will engage with in litigation or court, the collection of their data is done by using electronic discovery services. Data preservation is nothing but storage and use of data. Data identification is also a part of this. This means sorting relevant data from the entire lot.
   
3. Data analysis and filtering: it is almost like data identification, except that data which has been segregated is also analyzed keeping an end result in mind.

How do I find the best vendor for electronic discovery services?

Here is some tried and tested means to find out the relevant information. Search and google it for electronic discovery services. Then move ahead to the vendor of your choice as many companies offer these services and have a user friendly site and even the numbers of customer care are available.

Next step to be followed is to ask around. Even if you haven’t had the time to Google this, ask people who you know use these services frequently. First hand review is always useful and reliable. If you visit litigation firm regularly then ask your contacts to provide you with some reference of electronic discovery service provider.

Once you have shortlisted few that fulfils your requirement then the next step will be the take a thorough look of their websites. Most service offerings along with what it will cost you are generally available online. Whichever firm you select, please check for the following information.

1. The data might be of very sensitive nature hence just see for the confidentiality clauses in the agreement.
   
2. Technical prowess and technology at their disposal.
   
3. Hours which as consultants they spend with you and if many hours are wasted on frills and formalities in your very first meeting that don’t forget next time you will be paying for it.

This guide to electronic discovery will help you ease out your work to a considerable extent.