LexisNexis is launching the first release of a single global technology platform that will deliver its information products and services in the US and worldwide. The new single platform is intended to make it easier for lawyers or other professionals working around the world to obtain information relevant to their home country or to other countries. Customers in Australia and France will be the first to benefit from the new platform when LexisNexis launches enhanced online legal research products in these countries early in the first quarter of 2004. In addition, LexisNexis is to begin releasing enhanced news and business research and business intelligence products on the new platform to companies and information specialists in Germany in early 2004. The job of rolling out the new platform in the UK at the end of the year and migrating existing LexisNexis customers (who will have to learn how to use the new system) goes to Helen Mumford, LexisNexis UK’s new MD, appointed last year from the IT research and consultancy specialist Gartner Group, supported by Dominic Riley, strategic marketing director, who was previously involved in the launch of bbc.co.uk and consumer portal handbag.com. Mumford and Riley are clearly well placed to face the full force of BIALL and to counter any threat posed by Westlaw who will no doubt want to make the most of their arch rival’s potential vulnerability.
