Facilitates navigation among files, file management and the scanning and organization of documents
Kelley Rating (* designates lowest; ***** designates highest):
* Ease of navigation, design of interface and learning curve ***
* Instructional documentation and help system ****
* Carries out the goal of the product as advertised *****
* Overall usefulness ****
Competitive products:
File Notes Organizer, Worldox and PaperPort
Complementing products and services from other publishers:
FileCenter integrates with most common Windows programs and with "Google Desktop Search", "Windows Desktop Search" and "Copernic". It also coordinates scanning and file management activities with "Microsoft Office Document Imaging", "PaperPort", and "OmniPage".FileCenter Standard is designed to be an affordable electronic document management suite, substituting for Windows Explorer. It is particularly useful for offices that must deal with intense document management and would be a good fit for the management of a substantial volume of estate-planning documents. FileCenter's "electronic file cabinet" structure streamlines routine file navigation and management to give you control over file navigation beyond Windows Explorer. FileCenter works with files in their native formats and does not require a proprietary format. The program includes a built-in PDF converter and full text search engine.
The addition of FileImage as part of the FileCenter Professional program adds capabilities for document scanning, Optical Character Reader (OCR), file conversion and paperless office management. FileCenter facilitates document scanning and storage by providing automated indexing, routing and saving features.FileCenter uses the visual metaphor of a cabinet, drawer and file jacket to facilitate navigation to a given file. View screenshots of the FileCenter Interface on the publisher's Web site.
The FileCenter main file center interface includes a "Scan It" button from which you can select scanning through a "QuickScan." This starts a simple scan, allows you to name the product, and directs the routing of the scanned document. You also can utilize more complex scanning procedures available through the FileImage software, included with FileCenter Professional.
FileImage works with most scanners on the market and includes its own OCR engine. FileImage also functions with other supported OCR engines that you already may have installed (such as OmniPage and PaperPort). It collects scans in PDF files to make storage more efficient. You can direct the scan to create a text-based PDF file to facilitate word searches of scanned files. When scanning, you can direct placement of a document in a selected drawer, folder or other location. With the included "OCR Text Window," you can view and edit OCR text on the fly. It includes a "Thumbnail Viewer" for previewing your scanned documents and allows you to undo and redo scan edits. What do I mean by "scan edits"? One example: key words may be inserted into scanned documents to facilitate future searches.
A schematic graphic of the operation of FileImage is available at the publisher's website.
FileCenter Professional facilitates bulk scanning. You can stack documents and add a cover sheet. The program automatically indexes by client, attorney, etc., as you direct. You can designate "Separators" that direct the routing of scanned files in order to facilitate identification of files when doing bulk searches.
FileCenter includes a detailed help file with applicable topics related to each dialog box. Technical support is available from the publisher by telephone, fax or email. The publisher maintains a comprehensive "FAQ page" and supplies an online knowledge base of articles about its products. FileCenter Standard is priced at $69.95 and FileCenter Professional is priced at $199.95. Annual maintenance is 20 percent of the retail price for each license.
A free 30-day trial demo may be downloaded from the publisher's Web site. Upon purchase, a registration key is furnished for permanent use of the software. You may contact the publisher at:
Lucion Technologies, LLC
640 East Technology Ave.
Orem, UT 84097
Phone: 801-722-7099
FileCenter provides an inexpensive means to greatly improve your ability to navigate among your computer files and to organize numerous files in a manner that facilitates finding them through both a visual structure and by word search. Its ability to scan and organize files in bulk goes far toward making a paperless office possible. It adapts well to the organization of files flowing from collaborative drafting and its incremental file naming feature improves your ability to keep track of the numerous drafts that are generated in the trust and estates practice.
Trusts & Estates magazine is pleased to present the monthly Technology Review by Donald H. Kelley -- a respected connoisseur of the software and Internet resources wealth management advisors use to further their practices.
Kelley is a lawyer living in Highlands Ranch, Colo. and is of counsel to the law firm of Kelley, Scritsmier & Byrne, P.C. of North Platte, Nebr. He is the co-author of the Intuitive Estate Planner Software, (Thomson-West 2004). He has served on the governing boards of the American Bar Association Real Property Probate and Trust Section and the American College of Tax Counsel. He is a past regent and past chair of the Committee on Technology in the Practice of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Trusts & Estates has asked Kelley to provide his unvarnished opinions on the tech resources available in the practice today. His columns are edited for readability only. Send feedback and suggestions for articles directly to him at