The Gazette 1990

GAZETTE

JULY/AUGUST 1990

Law Society Survey of the computerisation of Solicitors offices Last year the Technology Committee carried out a very detailed survey of computerisation in solicitors' offices. Approximately one sixth of the firms answered all of whom had computerised except one firm whi ch intended to. The firms were on average small firms with three secretarial staff. There were some major changes from the previous survey. Phillips had fallen from being a leader to quite a low position. The lead equipment had now become I BM and I BM compatible Personal Computers, with Wang very closely behind. The other manufacturers were widely spread, with Olivetti emerging as a name trying to catch up with Phillips. Operating Systems

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deal w i th as they are more computer literate, and tend to buy a lot more equipment than the first time. Three quarters of the users stated that they had benefitted from computerisation, and nearly half of those had reduced staff ratios as a result of it. The firms had an average of 2.1 computers, one computer for each 1.47 of staff. " . . . the profession is about to go through a second phase of computerisation''. The day where every member of the staff has his own computer is Some of the regional results were surprising. There was a very poor response from County Dublin; Wicklow, Kerry, Meath, Limerick, Wexford and Waterford (in fact most of the seaboard counties) being highly computerised, some wi th one computer for every member of staff, and some inland counties such as Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan and Offaly having only one computer to three or four members of staff. There were two counties that didn't appear to have any computers at all. Other results The above are only some of the result of the survey. There were very detailed questions on training, support, maintenance, and reli- ability. There were also questions on so f twa re such as case processing, litigation support etc. The results of the survey have been fed into a database, and reports on particular aspects of interest can be generated on a national basis, and also on a local county basis. The suppliers who are accredited to the Law Society can obtain these reports on request. • fast approaching. Regional results

The number of Users tied into pro- prietary operating systems had fallen to approximately 25%. The majority used the personal com- puter operating system PCD0S/ MSDOS. A good percentage had switched to Unix/Xenix - just over 6%. The conservatism (or satis- faction of the users) of the pro- fession was shown by the fact that 7% of users used an operating system (and obviously the original equipment) that has not been current for seven years. Networking was also making headway with 4.5% of users. Accounting Systems Less than a quarter of those who had computerised had installed accounting systems. Of those who had, only a third had time costing and a quarter had payroll or spread- sheets. Apart from the numerous "Less than a quarter of those who had computerised had installed accounting systems". enquiries to the Society, the results show that there is obviously a need for accounts packages to be further developed to meet the needs of the profession as the profession perceives them. There appears to be dissatisfaction or ignorance of what is available to the smaller and medium sized user. Benefits to the profession Over two thirds of those who replied stated that they intended to upgrade and buy new equipment within the next few years. It would appear that the profession is about to go through a second phase of computerisation. This must be good news for suppliers who are keenly aware that the next time around, users are much easier to

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STAMP DU TY ON NEW LARGE HOUSES

The attention of the Revenue Commissioners has been drawn to a newspaper report which could be read as suggesting that the new stamp duty legislation affect- ing the purchase of new large houses will not affect people entering into contracts prior to 1 September, 1990. The Commissioners are con- cerned that arising from this re- port, people may enter into contracts for the purchase of new houses without being fully aware of the implications of the new legislation. In particular, the Com- missioners wish to draw attention to the fact that contracts, involv- ing the purchase of houses in this category, will come within the scope of the new legislation if they are concluded (i.e. if the sale is closed) after 1 September ir- respective of the date on which the contract is signed. The application of the new provisions will be determined, not by the date of the contract, but by the date on which the conveyance of the property is completed. Revenue Commissioners

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