Bates Numbering Electronic Documents

With the advent of electronic discovery, the days of needing to spend endless days in a warehouse that contains your client's documents will soon be a thing of the past.  Much like the bates stamp and ink that were used to identify and reference documents exchanged in the discovery process.  Even further, the days of manually numbering documents using "bates labels" - you know the labels that have had the number printed on them, and then adhering those labels to the documents - is soon to be a thing of the past.  Not just because these methods have become obsolete, but because most discovery is now done electronically.  Disclosures are exchanged via CDs, and/or as attachments to emails that transmit those documents.  Additionally, documents may be "served" using e-filing.  Most small to mid-size law firms are often overlooked in having the necessary tools to bates number and redact documents.  The expense of purchasing pricey database software usually tends to outweigh the benefit - but the necessity to bates number the electronic documents still exists.  One piece of software that is catering to small and mid-size law firms is eDiscoveryPrep.  This software is compatible with both Windows XP, and Vista.  Additionally, the software offers the ability to electronically number documents, save, and import into other software that requires either .tiff  or .pdf format.  You are given the ability to number the electronic documents, exchange a production set to opposing counsel, and then begin your work in moving and grouping documents the way you need them to work with them, and present your case.  In addition to bates numbering documents, you are given the ability to redact documents without that messy tape, white out, or other antiquated practices.