Mobile Helix is to enter into a formal partnership with iManage, as the Manhattan-headquartered company also launches two-factor authentication for its mobile app, LINK, which enables lawyers to access their documents, emails, calendar and other web apps from one place.
LINK, which already partners with NetDocuments and Microsoft SharePoint and has offered WorkSite (now rebranded as iManage Work) on an ad hoc basis, is now releasing a generally available iManage Work connector.
Seth Hallem, Mobile Helix’ co-founder and chief executive officer (pictured on the home page) said: “We’ve had a few specific clients in the past that have asked for access to WorkSite and we did it on a small basis but with this partnership we can offer it widely. It’s a huge opportunity.”
Lawyers will be able to access their iManage documents and edit, share and exchange new versions with client and colleagues, including an offline send and file option that syncs when back online.
Mobile Helix’ email functionality within the app enables lawyers to use email as they would on their desktop. Hallem says: “On a mobile, there’s not a lot of room so we’ve thought through lawyers’ common workflow. It’s easy to compose an email and send and file it in WorkSite. If you forward a document to a partner, it’s easy for that partner to compose a new email with that document attached. The end result is that it should be seamless and easy for attorneys to work with documents and emails and share them with their clients and other attorneys.”
Documents are automatically sent as .nrl attachments to internal colleagues and as actual document attachments when sent to external parties. Other functionality enables lawyers to easily find priority, unread and same sender emails and attachments.
Hallem, a co-founder and former chief executive of Coverity, which was acquired by Synopsys for $375m in February 2014, said: “Our approach and goal is to give lawyers mobile access to anything they need and make it easy and efficient.”
Given the level of information accessible through LINK, a single portal, Mobile Helix has also just launched two-factor authentication for the app, whereby a user will be required to use their fingerprint, or in some instances a second pin code, to access their documents and information.
Often two-factor authentication involves a set of digits being texted or emailed to a mobile – clearly no help where the app is on the mobile, which may have been stolen.
Hallem said: “Security has to be layered in. While it will have some user impact, our goal is to make it as easy as possible, which is a huge challenge.”
IT departments will be given the discretion to decide how this extra level of security operates internally, in terms of how long the app can be idle before a user is required to log in again and when they can use their fingerprint.
Hallem said: “It may be if you come back to the app in less than five minutes you don’t need a fingerprint. After 90 minutes it may require a password but under 90 minutes and over 10 minutes may require a finger. We’re giving IT departments the control so they can secure the device without forcing users to keep typing a complex password while they’re on the subway or walking down the street.”
Mobile Helix is a private company that currently has under 10 staff but is growing. “Given the traction for what we’re doing we hope that number will be different by year-end,” Hallem said.
by Caroline Hill