Now, 25 years after I foolishly attempted to modularize mediation on a single computer with the AGREE Program, and 25 years after Colin launched the first multi-user ODR platform with “Online Resolution,” I am proud to say that Mediate.com and ODR.com are now “state of the art” in terms of being the most capable online dispute resolution systems in the world.
Along with our ever-more capable technology, and following the dramatic move of mediation to the online environment with Covid, we are now, finally, finding courts, administrative agencies, large corporations and organizations not only “ready” for ODR, but reaching out and recognizing that ODR is the future. We will later be discussing AI and mediation and, I suggest, this integration further bolsters to move of mediation to the online environment.
Here are some screen shots from ODR.com as it exists today. We have sure come a long way since AGREE and Online Resolution!
Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack has spent decades working to make courts more accessible, effective, and fair. Today, as President and CEO of the American Arbitration Association, she continues that mission by championing tools that meet people where they are, especially online.
In a new short video, McCormack lays out exactly why courts across the country are embracing online dispute resolution (ODR).
ODR.COM FOR MEDIATION CENTERS
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
ODR.com for Mediation Centers is the most advanced mediation case management system available anywhere in the world. The platform combines robust enterprise-class case management with advanced online dispute resolution and panel management functionality.
Included Features
A modern, fully mobile-responsive design, where participants can file cases and participate in cases through their mobile devices in a user experience optimized for touch interfaces. This experience automatically adjusts to a full resolution experience optimized for larger screens, accessed with a mouse and keyboard, if screen resolution increases.
Case managers, administrators, and panelists access their powerful administrative capabilities in a full-size user experience optimized for efficient case management. Configurable, publicly available online intake forms to collect information from parties, either in a tab-based single page view or a “conversational interface” that asks intake questions one by one with branching logic. Intake also includes an optional review queue where case managers can vet filings before accepting them as a formal case.
Full participant and staff contact and access management, with full configuration of what information is gathered regarding parties, lawyers, case managers, and administrators.
When information is changed regarding any individual user it is automatically updated in all cases involving that user.
Access rights
Powerful and configurable panel management, with full tracking of panelist information, completed training/case eligibility, and fees. ODR.com offers publicly searchable panelist directories, powerful panelist assignment search tools and case assignment/nomination, and the ability to nominate multiple panelists to a case (where participants can view panelist bios, rank the panelists by preference, and eliminate a prescribed number of nominees).
A robust and configurable case management overview, where administrators and case managers can select which fields appear in their case table, change sort order, change column order, create case filters to find specific cases (and save those filters for later use), and export current case views on demand.
A flexible case details view with configurable forms and fields across user-specified tabs, with design features to organize the information for easy entry and review. Many different field types (including multi-select drop downs, checkboxes, and long text) with configurable dependencies (e.g. the selection in one drop down defines the options in a second drop down). Visibility of tabs and fields is configurable by account access rights, so it is easy to create (for example) case notes visible only by administrators and not case managers.
Powerful communication tools including automated and user-initiated email and SMS messaging. Message templates are editable at any time, with insertable fields that are populated with live data for each email sent out. Administrators and case managers can bulk email based on user type (e.g. “all mediators”) or case data (e.g. “all closed cases.”)
The platform also saves all sent messages with timestamps, so administrators can review the log of sent emails to ensure a specific message went out at a specific time.
Integrated and fully configurable calendar and event tracking, enabling users to create upcoming events (e.g. deadlines or meetings) as well as track completed tasks (e.g. phone call, in-person visitor, or mediation session). Events can be viewed by case, by user, or in a universal calendar tracking all items across all cases in the system.
Upcoming events trigger automated email and SMS reminders to attendees up until the event start.
Online collaborative workspaces for each case, where parties and their attorneys can log into the system, see announcements from case managers and panelists, and post messages in an online discussion system (with configurable breakout rooms). This secure online messaging is highly secure and password protected, unlike email communication.
Robust file management, fully configurable as to acceptable file types and sizes, file categories, and user access. Uploaded files can be matched with detailed descriptions and limited access only to certain specified other users in the case. File uploads can be submitted both within the file manager view as well as through the discussion/chat.
Dynamic real-time data reporting, with an integrated web-based Business Intelligence platform from Amazon called Quicksight that enables administrators to create powerful data dashboards, tables, and graphs that update in real time when new cases are filed into the system.
Financial management and payment tools, tracking all invoices from panelists, deposits and escrow balances from parties, and online payment integrations so parties can easily make payments from within the platform.
Strong platform security, with industry standard SOC2 certification and a dedicated SecOps and DevOps team (led by a Chief Information Security Officer) continuously monitoring the system for attempted intrusions or unauthorized logins. The platform undergoes regular external penetration tests and is continually patched and updated to minimize vulnerabilities.
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