eDiscovery Pricing: How to Avoid Getting Stuck with a "Lemon" - ACEDS
November 17, 2021/Dr. Gavin Manes/Comments Off on eDiscovery Pricing: How to Avoid Getting Stuck with a “Lemon”	
How do you find the right pricing solution for your eDiscovery projects? It’s not always the easiest topic of discussion but using the wrong pricing can drive up costs substantially over time. A flat fee approach may work well in some cases, per gigabyte in/out or per month may suit others, and user-based pricing may benefit certain matters. And hourly rates for assistance add yet another variable to consider. Even seasoned eDiscovery veterans can struggle to sort through all the options and determine the most advantageous strategy.
This article covers current pricing models to help you examine if you’re taking the best approach. There are questions to ask an eDiscovery provider, alternative pricing models to evaluate, and factors and trends impacting the industry – all to arm you with recommendations for selecting a pricing plan.
The benefits of cloud platforms and offsite data include segregation of data and protection through significant security measures. The provider is responsible for updating software versions and hardware, taking these notable responsibilities off the client’s hands.
Cloud-based platforms have grown so popular because they are easy to use and easy to get started. There is a lower footprint that is very conducive to today’s remote work.
What’s in a Gigabyte?
If a client has a collection of ten to fifteen matters, the subscription model makes the most sense. If the cases don’t get too large, this tends to be the most economical way to go. Subscription is also a sound consideration for a client migrating platforms.
Long-term cases work with any model, but the biggest key is what to do when the case winds down for a few months. If there aren’t as many users needed for a period of time, questions about near-line or cold storage are essential as are discussions about how to bring it out of storage from both a pricing and timing perspective.
How do you calculate gigabytes online? – Understand what’s in the gigabyte each time and when the gigabytes are calculated.
Do you offer a “near-line” option if the case is paused? – If the case may be inactive for some time.
Be sure to consider your case workload – how often you start a new case, how big those cases are, and more – and exactly how you use eDiscovery software. It’s also important to understand what you’re paying for, what the platform’s capabilities are, how gigabytes are calculated, and if there are any additional fees. Consider working through a service provider to ensure you have all the capabilities you need for your projects.
CEO at Avansic
Dr. Gavin Manes is a nationally recognized eDiscovery and digital forensics expert. He founded Avansic in 2004 after completing his Doctorate in Computer Science from the University of Tulsa. At Avansic, Dr. Manes is committed to high-technology innovation, research, and mentorship, and has several patents pending. Avansic's scientific approach to eDiscovery and digital forensics stems from his academic experience.
Dr. Manes routinely serves as an expert witness including consulting with attorneys on data preservation issues. He contributes academic content to peer-reviewed journals and delivers classroom lectures. See his full CV at gavinmanes.com.
Dr. Manes has published over fifty papers on eDiscovery, digital forensics, and computer security, countless blog posts, and educational presentations to attorneys, executives, professors, law enforcement, and professional groups on topics from eDiscovery to cyber law. He’s briefed the White House, the Department of the Interior, the National Security Council, and the Pentagon on computer security and forensics issues.
At the University, Dr. Manes formed the Tulsa Digital Forensics Center, housing Cyber Crime Units from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. He’s a founder of the University of Tulsa’s Institute for Information Security, leading the creation of nationally recognized research efforts in digital forensics and telecommunications security.
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