PACK-N-GO PART II

OPTION #2 - CREATE PACKED DATA SET TO IMPORT LATER

Choosing this option will pack a copy of your entire case (including all documents, transcripts, video files, and the database) and allow you to import it at any time on another computer with TrialDirector installed, such as a laptop used for trial.

Here are a couple of scenarios where I would use this option:

1. The trial has just ended and I want to back up the entire case contents and move the contents somewhere else in order to clear my laptop hard drive. When selecting this option, you will choose a destination for the new “Packed” folder. The new file created is a .pak extension. This file can be compared to the more traditional .ZIP file. I would then move this newly created .pak file to my external drive or DVD for storage. This .pak file will contain all the documents, transcripts, video files, and the database. When the appeal process begins, I will already have the all the case files and database in one location – the .pak file.

2. If I have been working on case preparation on my laptop and then decide to give all of the case files to another person to use on their laptop, I am able to choose this option, which will give me the .pak file. I will then send that file via a network, an external drive, or a DVD to the other person and they will be ready to proceed. This process is much easier than trying to copy the thousands of documents, videos, transcripts, and database.

To unpack the case on the desired computer, you will need to use the Import Case from PACK-N-GO Volume found within the File drop-down menu.





CAUTION: Keep in mind the Case Import Wizard is NOT a data synchronization tool. After you unpack a case, use it for viewing and presentation only. Only make changes to the master case on your network.

When you unpack a case, it is imported into TrialDirector as a new case showing the name of the case and the time and date is was packed. Use this information to ensure you have the latest version of the case loaded.

After selecting the Import Case from PACK-N-GO Volume, Follow the on-screen instructions, keeping the following in mind:

• The packed case has a .pak extension. If you are unsure where it was saved, check the My Documents folder on the computer where PACK-N-GO was used.
• If you select the option to move case data to a new location, the case files (not the database) will be moved to the location you select.

Once the process has completed, the all of the case information will now be located and accessible on the new machine. The PACK-N-GO feature is a wonderful tool that will save you a tremendous amount of time and stress when trying to copy all of your case data to a new location or simply attempting to create a backup of your case data.

For additional information or questions, please visit our website at: www.indatacorp.com.

Pack-N-Go Part 1

Over the last 11 years and more than 85 trials, I have a seen, used, and trained hundreds of people on every feature in the software. Of all the features and enhancements of TrialDirector, one of my favorites is the Pack-N-Go feature. This feature allows me to copy my entire case (including all documents, transcripts, video files, and the database) and either move it to a new location or pack a copy of my case and import it on another computer with TrialDirector installed, such as a laptop used for trial.

When using the Pack-N-Go feature, the big question is: What is the difference between the two options in the Pack-N-Go wizard?

1. COPY FILES AND UPDATE CASE DATATBASE
Copy your entire case (including all documents, transcripts, video files, and the database) to a specified location, such as a new network drive. It changes all references in the case database to point to the new location.

VS.

2. CREATE PACKED DATA SET TO IMPORT LATER
Pack a copy of your entire case (including all documents, transcripts, video files, and the database) and import it on another computer with TrialDirector installed, such as a laptop used for trial.

In order to keep this post only moderately long, I am going to discuss the first option of the Pack-N-Go feature. The subsequent post will discuss in detail the second option of the Pack-N-Go.

Option #1 - COPY FILES AND UPDATE CASE DATATBASE

Choosing this option will copy your entire case (including all documents, transcripts, video files, and the database) to a specified location, such as a new network drive. It changes all references in the case database to point to the new location.

There are a few situations where I would choose this option. By far the most common use would be the following scenario:

• You have been working on your case for the last three months in preparation for trial. All of the work has been done on the network while you have been sitting in your office. It is now time to go to trial and you need to copy all of the data from the network drive to the local hard drive on your laptop. You don’t want to delete the data from the network drive because others who remain in the office may need to access the same data while you are at the trial site.

• Another example is if you simply wanted to copy the case data to a different location (i.e. one drive to another).

The important thing to remember is the pathing for each image, transcript, video file, etc is going to be changed to the new location. After deciding to use option #1, you will need to select the new location for your case data.



Pack-N-Go reports the total amount of space required to store your case. Before you continue, ensure the location where you want to save the packed case has enough space. Then, click Browse and select this location. Once you have decided on the location, click Next.



Upon completion, you will notice each of your video files, images, transcripts, etc... are now located in the new location within a folder that has the same name as you case name in TrialDirector. You are now ready to unplug the laptop from the network and go present at trial!

The next post will describe the second option of the Pack-N-Go feature.

If you have any additional questions, please visit our website at: http://www.indatacorp.com/.