ContractExpress
Encyclopedia
ContractExpress is a Document Automation
program designed and produced by Business Integrity
, a company focussed on contract automation based in the UK and US. ContractExpress is delivered in server based and Software as a service
format. Users of the solution are typically law firms and corporations, such as Clifford Chance and Microsoft,.
ContractExpress template creation is conducted entirely within the Microsoft Word
interface. The add-on for Word 2007 installs a custom ribbon tab to utilise .NET functionality, the button controls variables, optional text and questionnaire editing amongst other options. Utilising bracket-based mark-up to specify conditional text and variable fields, the author creates a template for a contract. Once published, other users can then manipulate the document using a pre-defined questionnaire to apply client specific details and preferences. Accordingly, the need for programming skills is removed; a basic knowledge of document mark-up is all that is required. It is notable that the field control used is derived from the conventions of traditional legal document mark-up, i.e. use of square brackets to indicate areas for document specific information.
the enterprise edition is designed to encompass contract lifecycle management including contract creation, execution and archiving. The system utilizes customizable (and preset) workflow systems, allowing for out-of-the-box control of the document lifecycle.
ContractExpress for SharePoint can be deployed within an existing SharePoint environment or as a standalone application running on Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) (a free component of Windows Server). Documents are output in editable and non-editable formats, for example PDF form or .doc. This functionality is intended for situations, for example, where "sales people adapt old documents without legal department review, they may insert unapproved language or delete important language, changes that can cause legal issues later".
delivery system. As per the above versions, document mark-up takes place in a normal Microsoft Word document however cloud delivery allows for remote access from any web browser.
Use of cloud technology allows for setting up of systems without the associated infrastructure requirement and is a growing tool for deployment of software solutions. Some companies do not require all the features of server based document automation and so functioning in the cloud can reduce potentially unnecessary infrastructure spend and technological expertise requirements. This broadens the potential market for document automation to smaller and solo firms as well as larger companies.
; Microsoft Office 2007; Open XML and Windows Communication Foundation
. ContractExpress DealBuilder supports the generation of Word 2007 OpenXML (.docx), Word 97-2003 (.doc), Word-RTF, PDF and XPS.
Document automation
Document automation is the design of systems and workflow that assist in the creation of electronic documents. These include logic based systems that use segments of pre-existing text and/or data to assemble a new document. This process is increasingly used within certain industries to assemble...
program designed and produced by Business Integrity
Business Integrity
- External links :* * *...
, a company focussed on contract automation based in the UK and US. ContractExpress is delivered in server based and Software as a service
Software as a Service
Software as a service , sometimes referred to as "on-demand software," is a software delivery model in which software and its associated data are hosted centrally and are typically accessed by users using a thin client, normally using a web browser over the Internet.SaaS has become a common...
format. Users of the solution are typically law firms and corporations, such as Clifford Chance and Microsoft,.
ContractExpress template creation is conducted entirely within the Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
interface. The add-on for Word 2007 installs a custom ribbon tab to utilise .NET functionality, the button controls variables, optional text and questionnaire editing amongst other options. Utilising bracket-based mark-up to specify conditional text and variable fields, the author creates a template for a contract. Once published, other users can then manipulate the document using a pre-defined questionnaire to apply client specific details and preferences. Accordingly, the need for programming skills is removed; a basic knowledge of document mark-up is all that is required. It is notable that the field control used is derived from the conventions of traditional legal document mark-up, i.e. use of square brackets to indicate areas for document specific information.
ContractExpress for SharePoint
Built around Microsoft SharePointMicrosoft SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint is a web application platform developed by Microsoft. First launched in 2001, SharePoint is typically associated with web content management and document management systems, but it is actually a much broader platform of web technologies, capable of being configured into a wide...
the enterprise edition is designed to encompass contract lifecycle management including contract creation, execution and archiving. The system utilizes customizable (and preset) workflow systems, allowing for out-of-the-box control of the document lifecycle.
ContractExpress for SharePoint can be deployed within an existing SharePoint environment or as a standalone application running on Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) (a free component of Windows Server). Documents are output in editable and non-editable formats, for example PDF form or .doc. This functionality is intended for situations, for example, where "sales people adapt old documents without legal department review, they may insert unapproved language or delete important language, changes that can cause legal issues later".
ContractExpress.com
Based on DealBuilder technology utilizing a cloudCloud computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network ....
delivery system. As per the above versions, document mark-up takes place in a normal Microsoft Word document however cloud delivery allows for remote access from any web browser.
Use of cloud technology allows for setting up of systems without the associated infrastructure requirement and is a growing tool for deployment of software solutions. Some companies do not require all the features of server based document automation and so functioning in the cloud can reduce potentially unnecessary infrastructure spend and technological expertise requirements. This broadens the potential market for document automation to smaller and solo firms as well as larger companies.
ContractExpress DealBuilder
The ContractExpress DealBuilder system is built on technology standards: Microsoft .Net 3.5.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
; Microsoft Office 2007; Open XML and Windows Communication Foundation
Windows Communication Foundation
The Windows Communication Foundation , previously known as "Indigo", is an application programming interface in the .NET Framework for building connected, service-oriented applications.-The architectures:...
. ContractExpress DealBuilder supports the generation of Word 2007 OpenXML (.docx), Word 97-2003 (.doc), Word-RTF, PDF and XPS.
See also
- Document AutomationDocument automationDocument automation is the design of systems and workflow that assist in the creation of electronic documents. These include logic based systems that use segments of pre-existing text and/or data to assemble a new document. This process is increasingly used within certain industries to assemble...
- Cloud ComputingCloud computingCloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network ....
- Intelligent DocumentIntelligent documentIntelligent document is a general term to describe electronic documents with more functionality than a page designed to emulate paper. Formats include PDF from Adobe, InfoPath from Microsoft, Cardiff Software and XForms from W3C, and the non-programming solutions DocFire, Exari and Intelledox...
- Document ModellingDocument modellingDocument Modelling looks at the inherent structure in documents. It looks not at the structure in formatting which is the classic realm of word-processing tools, but at the structure in content. Because document content is typically viewed as the ad hoc result of a creative process, the art of...
- Microsoft WordMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
- Microsoft SharepointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft SharePoint is a web application platform developed by Microsoft. First launched in 2001, SharePoint is typically associated with web content management and document management systems, but it is actually a much broader platform of web technologies, capable of being configured into a wide...
Further reading
- Lauristen, Mark. The Lawyer's Guide To Working Smarter With Knowledge Tools. American Bar Association. ISBN 978-1-60442-826-1
- Susskind, Richard. The End Of Lawyers?. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-954172-0