Balfour and Manson, an Edinburgh-based legal practice, last week announced a £500,000 overhaul of its infrastructure and front office systems by Ramesys Professional Services.

Ramesys replaced the firm's Novell-based network with a Microsoft system running on Compaq servers and PCs.

The company also installed a networked CD-ROM 'jukebox', which allows staff to access reference material from their PC desktops instead of having to visit the library.

The overhaul also extended internet and e-mail access to all 130 users on the network.

Hamish Pringle, IT manager at Balfour and Manson, said: "[We] felt that the new investment would give us a leading edge… the partners are extremely pleased with the end result."

According to a statement from Ramesys, Balfour and Manson is planning a similarly comprehensive overhaul of its back office and is considering setting up a virtual private network (VPN) to give fee earners the option of remote working.