For our Firm, and for perhaps WEST, I think charging for research
training will be disasterous.
1) Attorneys never make time for training anyway.
2) But, bi-monthly our WEST Rep would train me, the Librarian, on the
latest.
3) Ad hoc, one-on-one, I'd train attorneys while doing real-time research.
4) Firm policy is to use WESTLAW only when it can be billed to a client.
5) No client will (or should) pay for trainiing.
6) Therefore, training on WESTLAW will come to an abrupt halt.
7) And consequently, WESTLAW use will decrease (it has already
decreased 44% from last year). (Projecting off $8,000 for '97)
8) It's sad to see such a fine research tool go to waste.
9) New associates are flabergasted at the tight-fisted policy on
WESTLAW.
9) If WESTLAW figures economics dictates this new direction, they're
headed for the shoals.
>>> <deselden@orr-reno.com> 09/25/97 09:50am >>>
Perhaps there is something good happening here. West is now charging
for a service that many of us also provide to our customers - electronic
research training. I consider this a valuable service, a service worth
paying for. I happen to be a cynic that believes that "there is no such
thing as a free lunch." The cost to cover this kind of training must come
from somewhere - most likely it is built into your online fees. It would,
however be interesting to find out from West, how this development will
affect the overall value of their services. (How are their customers going
to gain in the long run?) On a bright note, this development may also
open up opportunities for price and service negotiations with other legal
information providers, i.e. Lexis and LOIS, and VersusLaw. It also
validates to our organization, the value our training and coaching efforts.
I personally have never felt very comfortable having Westlaw and
Lexis reps provide training, not because they lack the training skills and
knowledge of their services. -( I have worked with some very talented
and caring reps.) It simply is impossible to expect them to provide an
unbiased approach to performing legal research. I prefer to provide the
training myself, where I can compare and contrast competing print and
electronic resources and emphasize cost effective strategies.
David Selden, Research Specialist/Law Librarian
Orr & Reno P.A.
POB 3550
Concord, NH 03302-3550
Tel 603-224-2381
Fax 603-224-2318
e-mail deselden@orr-reno.com
>>> KGazzo@UUCP (Kimberly Gazzo) {KGazzo@pfclaw.com} 09/24/97
06:26pm >>>
>Reply-To: privatelawlib-l@lawlib.wuacc.edu
>Sender: privatelawlib-l@lawlib.wuacc.edu
>To: Multiple recipients of list <privatelawlib-l@lawlib.wuacc.edu>
I am appalled, angered and outraged. First that put us through this
nightmarish merger, their customer service stinks, and getting problems
solved is like dental work without novocaine. We spend thousands
upon
thousands of dollars for their products, and now they want to charge us
to teach us how to use their products. I found this out from my
prot=E9g=E9, who called to set up phone training for Premise, and was =
told
they might not be able to fit her in before the charges go into effect.
Have a nice afternoon.
Kimberly Gazzo
Law Librarian
Paul, Frank & Collins
Burlington, VT=20
kgazzo@pfclaw.com
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