Peapod unveils all-in-one kit

Alison Laferla reports

Legal IT supplier Peapod Solutions is launching an all-in-one system for high street solicitors which will compete directly with the Law Society's High Street Starter Kit.

It includes a Pentium PC running Windows 95 and Microsoft Office, accounts and practice management software from Pracctice, Peapod's electronic forms system, and a time-recording package.

The kit contains a laser printer and a fax/modem card and provides initial training, software upgrades and technical support. Rental rates start at £40 a week for a fixed three-year term. If the rental is renewed, new software and hardware is supplied.

Peapod said the fixed rental period took account of the fact that "the lifespan for a modern computer system today is about three years and so protects firms from the expense of periodically having to replace obsolete hardware and software".

Director Ian Wimbush said the idea was to leave solicitors free to concentrate on their practice, "not having to worry if they have the right printer cables or whether they should upgrade their software".

The product does not yet have a name because the Law Society has complained about each of the proposed titles, saying they are all too similar to the name of its own product.

Peapod will be holding seminars about the kit over the next three months. Call 01753 581600 for further information.