Databases: free system is powerful, although whether small law firms need such complexity remains to be seen, say analysts

The launch of the latest Microsoft database server system, SQL Server 2005, last week could bring significant business benefits to small and medium-sized law firms, leading IT commentators and suppliers have predicted.


The launch saw the release of SQL Server Express, a stripped-down version of SQL Server, which will be available for free. SQL Server can be used to store company information, and retrieve and correlate that information in complex ways.


The move should allow the many legal IT suppliers moving to software built on Microsoft's .NET framework to provide a front-to-back Microsoft system at a reasonable price. This means that a firm that is taking the Microsoft route should get more out of its systems.


SQL Server 2005 also marks a step forward in business intelligence. There are many ways to collect data from disparate sources in a firm and compare them, but for greater flexibility large companies often use a system based on on-line analytical programming.


Traditionally, such programming has been a part of systems that were expensive tools and required knowledgeable staff to run. However, Microsoft has now included a business intelligence database in SQL Server 2005, and automated the shifting of data between components.


David Mitchell, software practice leader at IT analyst firm Ovum, said: 'It's quite a lot of sophisticated technology at a lower price. It brings in enterprise technology... and scalability and reliability for [small and medium-sized firms] at a price they can afford. It is information that people who are running spreadsheet models find hard to pull together.'


However, Neil Davidson, one of the Law Society Software Solutions guide's panel members and a solicitor in 15-partner York-based Harrowell Shaftoe, is not convinced that small firms need such horsepower, though he recognises that a free back-end system might be very useful.


Mr Davidson said he thought software such as SQL Server Express would be 'sufficient for all conceivable database needs'. But he added: 'It is the actual back-office support that is crucial. What smaller firms do not have is either time or expertise.


'I am unconvinced that the practitioner in a smaller firm needs the sort of "drilling down" market and client information, as generally it is the personality and legal ability of the individual that "sells" the service.'


But getting firms on track with highly sophisticated products, while hiding the jargon and complexity behind 'friendly' Microsoft look-and-feel offerings such as Outlook and Excel, is what many software vendors hope to achieve.


Richard Banks, a director at legal IT vendor Edgebyte, said SQL Server Express is the most powerful database that Microsoft has ever given away for free.


He said: 'SQL Server Express should allow us to overcome the limitations of [Microsoft] Access, and produce software that performs like it is using full-blown SQL Server - but without the price.'