CRIV BLOG

Thomson Reuters and CRIV Bi-Annual Call

Nov. 9, 2018

Present: Caroline Walters, Harvard University, CRIV Liaison; Lori Hedstrom, National Manager, Information Management Advisors, Thomson Reuters; Rachel Torgerson, Customer Success Strategist, Finance Group, Thomson Reuters; Jeff McCoy, Communications, Thomson Reuters; Vani Ungapen, Executive Director, AALL

Notes submitted by Lori Hedstrom

Issue: Accounts Receivable – Dunning notices, timeframe for communications

Caroline submitted several member questions and comments regarding individuals’ experiences with their accounts. We are unable to address each one individually on this platform, but we can share information about how the system works so customers know the timing and processes at work.

Our systems are based on the net 30-day model and please understand that notices are automatically generated based on activity in the account, or lack thereof. There may be times when customers pay the majority of an invoice, but a partial amount may still be outstanding. Our system shows that residual amount as unpaid and generates a notice. Customer Service can walk customers through the system, with specific information on when their invoices are generated, when they are mailed, and when customers should expect to receive them each month.

Regarding copying directors and others in administration, dunning notices come out of our system addressed to the contacts listed. If the technical services librarian, the library director, and the dean are listed, they each will receive a copy. It is difficult to say why each individual was added – sometimes an administrator wants to know if payments are not being made timely and asks to be notified, or a librarian is promoted but not removed from the notification, as examples. If customers desire to remove contacts from the systems, they should work with their account manager to contact the Credit Management Team to ensure the appropriate contacts are in the system. Here is the general contact information for the Credit Management Team at Thomson Reuters for US Legal:

Email: WestAccountsReceivable@thomsonreuters.com

Phone: 1-800-522-0552

Fax: 651-687-4601

 Issue: Westlaw Edge rollout questions

Q: When will “regular” Westlaw sunset? For firms? For academics?

A: For the academic community, Jan. 1, 2019, is the date academic institutions will switch to Westlaw Edge. For law firms, we currently do not have a “sunset” date for Westlaw, but that will likely be around 2025.

Q: Will firms be able to choose between Westlaw and Westlaw Edge at renewal or for new customers?

A: Yes. Firms may choose between Westlaw or Westlaw Edge, but accounts will only have Westlaw or Westlaw Edge, as adoption is organization-wide.

Q: Can academics have access to both platforms for pedagogical purposes? There is concern among law schools that their students will only know how to use Westlaw Edge. Many of them may get jobs in firms that don’t have Westlaw Edge.

A: Students, similar to legal professionals that may change organizations, will still be able to use and benefit from Westlaw if their employer has yet to upgrade to Westlaw Edge. They may notice some of the efficiency tools such as the advanced search and analytics capabilities are not included, but they will still be able to conduct their legal research on Westlaw without disruption or feeling as they have to learn a new system.

Q: What if a professor is at a school that was an early adopter of Westlaw Edge and needs to grade their students’ work on Westlaw. Can they have access to Westlaw?

A: If a professor has transitioned to Westlaw Edge but need to grade on Westlaw, the professor can reach out to the Academic Account Manager and request a temporary password to get through this semester.

Thank you as always for the opportunity to meet and talk through members’ concerns. Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Lori. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lori Hedstrom, MLS

National Manager, Information Management Advisors