User Profile:System Flexibility:IPDAS Library:IPDAS Updates and Product Enhancements:IPDAS Database Editing:Integration:Technical:Pricing:The vast majority of our users are legal assistants and paralegals, although some attorneys learn how to create documents in IPDAS. Prior Art Viewer, Electronic Filing Wrappers, and Web Reporting are features that were specifically designed for use by attorneys.
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IPDAS was flexibly designed to suit the needs of virtually any office environment. There are a series of easily-set configuration values that accommodate a wide range of possible preferences. In addition to hundreds of standard IPDAS fields, over 200 custom data fields are available.
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Of the many small examples of what IPDAS can do that will help you meet specific client demands, here are three: 1) Users can create client-specific letters that will display in pick lists only when that client is selected; 2) Users can set up client-specific deposit accounts; 3) A user instruction screen can be set up to automatically display for a given client or docket.
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The IPDAS library, an extensive collection of over 450 templates, has grown over time with input from our clients. As part of your IPDAS rollout, you will shape the IPDAS library into one that feels like your own. With the built-in customization tool, you are able to build new letters, captions, memos, and emails or modify those that we ship.
[Back to top]IPDAS Template Builder can be used to create new or modify existing letters, captions, memos, and emails. However, it does not support customization of "official" PTO and PCT forms. The Platinum IPDAS license agreement includes programming support for five customized PTO forms. Requests for additional customization of PTO forms are handled on a "first come/first-served" basis and for an additional charge.
[Back to top]Our technical staff notifies your IPDAS administrator that updated software is available at the Customer Support Center on the IPDAS website. Your administer downloads the files onto the IPDAS reference directory on your server and runs (if necessary) SQL scripts. When users log onto their workstations, these updated files are automatically downloaded onto their computers, except on Citrix or other environments with limited user rights.
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Typically, IPDAS is updated half a dozen times per year. The timing and frequency is largely determined by how often the USPTO and WIPO make changes.
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Using the easy-to-use and versatile IPDAS User Rights Manager, your firm’s System Administrator will assign rights for each user.
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Key data (such as filing dates and application numbers) can be “locked.” Even employees with general edit rights cannot alter information in a locked field. Once a lockable field is populated with data, that field cannot be altered.
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IPDAS Platinum service (integrated with your docketing and DM systems) avoids redundant typing and saves a significant amount of time. Each import is custom-designed with the needs of that firm in mind. We have integrated IPDAS with all the established docketing systems. In order to fully complete the forms, IPDAS needs certain data. There are two methods for bringing this data into the IPDAS database: automated or manual. From a user point of view, integrated service avoids re-keying data that has already been typed into the docketing system.
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Our technical staff will consult with you to identify those data fields that should be imported into the IPDAS database and the rules that will govern this import (e.g., the frequency of the updates, which system will maintain the data, etc.). Typically, our clients import 25 - 30 data fields, including dates and PTO-assigned numbers. This automated import takes place during your initial installation of IPDAS and continues daily for certain fields.
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The optional integration with your commerical DMS saves you time by automatically completing your document profiles.
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IPDAS can be integrated with any leading document management system. Currently, our clients have IPDAS running with iManage, Hummingbird DM5, Docs Open, and WORLDOX. As our clients upgrade their systems and new client request additional DMSs, this list will grow. IPDAS includes limited capability to store documents using a pre-defined, standardized document naming convention.
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Yes. With only minor configuration differences from a desktop install, IPDAS runs smoothly on Citrix. Several of our customers use IPDAS on Citrix either as their main way of deploying IPDAS or as a way to connect remote users. Our customers have deployed IPDAS on Windows 2000 and 2003 servers running Citrix.
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IPDAS is a client/server application and links to a MS® SQL Server database using ODBC (with the database calls written using ADO). None of the tools that we use to build IPDAS are proprietary or obsolete.
[Back to top]IPDAS currently makes available a subset of its functionality over the web, primarily read-only access to all the data in IPDAS, reporting, read-only access to documents in electronic file wrappers, and the workflow module. Other IPDAS functions, including its core document generation capabilities, will become web-based over time, depending upon customer needs.
If the concern motivating your interest in web-based services is to have a single point of maintenance, then we offer two alternatives: 1) the IPDAS client application can automatically update itself against your network each day allowing you to deploy releases from a single site; or, 2) IPDAS can run on a Citrix server, which also addresses network latency issues for multi-site offices with low bandwidth.
[Back to top]A description of the IPDAS pricing structure is available on this website by clicking here. Further details about our rates can be obtained by calling our Sales/Marketing Director, Sharon Frey, at: 703-405-5674.
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