Microsoft’s SQL Server 2005 reaches end-of-support on April 12, 2016. Law firms and all companies should get ahead of the game now by taking advantage of the many new capabilities available in Windows SQL Server 2016.

As with almost any technology or upgrades in software, sufficient time should be allocated for planning and testing (and considering other integrations) before simply rolling out new technology or upgrades. Microsoft SQL requires integration with many other applications. Getting a head start on deployment planning is essential.


There are challenges law firms need to be aware of when implementing Windows SQL Server 2016. Service and support for applications that were developed with SQL 2005 will be impacted. End-of-support can present risks, as there will be no new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates.

These, of course, are only a few of the obstacles. But if you start early, you can identify and make adjustments for them early. The number of obstacles – and issues – increase the longer you wait.

Avoid business disruptions and compliance issues caused by slow-performing databases and downtime by planning and beginning your upgrade now.

Or, let us help.

Contact an Innovative Computing Systems Account Executive and request information on the next steps in helping your firm smoothly upgrade.

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, we think back to the much-touted but over-hyped threat of the millennial bug destroying massive amounts of data and information. While we laugh at our overreaction 15 years ago, when it comes to information security, there is no true overreaction. Cyberattacks, earthquakes, fires, explosions, power outages and so many more events can immediately render your data unavailable — sometimes for good.

To mitigate that risk, we partner with Acronis to provide backup, disaster recovery and secure access solutions to our legal technology clients.

At Innovative Computing Systems, we believe in the value of education. We support and urge our staff members to make investments in themselves through additional formal and/or informal education. 

That makes our recent partnership with St. Gabriel's Catholic School in Austin all the more special to us. St. Gabriel's is the only independent Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade Catholic School in Austin.

At Innovative Computing Systems, we truly value our partners. We look at their solutions as the “best of breed.” We would like to share both our confidence and their solutions by dedicating a “Partner Series” highlighting their importance to us and law firms. We’ll be holding webinars, posting blogs and case studies and otherwise showing off the expertise of our partners.

Outsourcing part or all of your law firm’s technology management and/or support – what is called IT managed services – is increasing in popularity, especially in the legal industry. Leveraging IT managed services can provide access to enterprise-grade technology, expert-level knowledge and exhaustive support, all at a fraction of the cost to implement and maintain the same in-house. 

We’ve helped many law firms plan for a move to new office spaces. Since most firms move infrequently, most need some assistance planning and executing the relocation of their computer systems and circuits. 

Does it seem like your IDOL server gets stuck frequently, and your users are upset that their searches are not returning the correct documents and they can never find anything? Here are a few tricks to ease the pain you may have been experiencing with your IDOL server.

The modern automobile is a highly complex machine that requires regularly scheduled maintenance. Oil needs to be changed, tire pressure needs to be checked and brakes need to be adjusted during those service intervals. One cannot run a vehicle non-stop without maintenance, and not suffer serious consequences.

Law firms and their IT departments spend a lot of time and money ensuring that all devices are updated with security patches and protected with antivirus software. However, many don’t adequately address the flood of personal devices that employees bring through their doors every day. 

All it takes is one foreign device in your environment to wreak havoc on your production systems. Law firm staff is often required to connect a client’s laptop to the production LAN, risking the function of every device at the firm. There are some steps you can take to safeguard your production systems while still providing the convenience of Internet access to clients and staff.