ACCESS AND BROWSERS
Westlaw® International is an Internet-based service accessible by password. We recommend using Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.0 and Netscape Navigator™ 6.1 or later when accessing this interface. Westlaw International is designed to work with Windows® 95 , 98 or 2000, or Windows NT® or with Macintosh® operating systems. It requires 32 megabytes of RAM and JavaScript and cookies enabled. A display of 800 x 600 resolution or better is recommended but not required.
SPEED AND EFFICIENCY
Westlaw International provides high-speed information to your desktop. Optimal efficiency occurs when your organisation's internal network is directly connected to the Internet, but even researchers without an internal network connection to the Internet will be pleased with its performance because of our partnership with leading network service providers who use dedicated international network bandwidth. This automatic connection ensures that Westlaw International researchers are not hindered by peak Internet traffic.
RELIABILITY
We ensure uninterrupted service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With primary and backup substations that are each fully self-functional, plus emergency power backup generators, you can rely on continuous Westlaw International service. Our technology infrastructure includes a staff of 300 providing 24-hour monitoring support of this system.
INTRANET INTEGRATION
Westlaw International is based on a persistent URL syntax; in other words, each user-request submitted during a research session generates a distinct URL, comprised of individual parameters and distinguishing specific aspects of the user's request. This allows you to integrate virtually every aspect of Westlaw International into your own Intranet environment, including document, database and query links. Our comprehensive Intranet Toolkit further facilitates the integration of Westlaw information.
FRAMES
Westlaw International makes extensive use of browser frame technology. With this technology, the document header remains at the top of the page as you scroll through a document; a drop-down list is always available at the top of the page to move from one feature to the next; and left and right frames let you view the full-text document while simultaneously viewing related information, including your citations list.
SEARCHING
Westlaw International supports Natural Language and Terms and Connectors (Boolean) search methods. West Group's award-winning Natural Language search method enables novice researchers to retrieve relevant results, without learning complicated commands. The powerful Terms and Connectors search method includes grammatical as well as basic proximity connectors, automatic generation of plural terms (including irregular plurals) and UK and US spelling equivalents.
SECURE ACCESS
When accessing Westlaw International, users have the option of transmitting their password and client identification information under a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection, which is presented to the user as a link on the Westlaw International Sign-on page.
CHARGEBACK AND USAGE STATISTICS
Every time you sign on Westlaw International, the system requires a password and client identifier in order to gain access. This information is then recorded, together with data relating to the time spent researching and databases accessed. An organisation may receive their usage facts and figures by accessing Westlaw International's ChargeBack Web site and entering a password. This information is sufficiently detailed to enable you to bill time spent researching on Westlaw International to a particular client or cost centre - as well as gather basic usage statistics. Information held on the ChargeBack site is completely secure, ensuring that other parties or organisations - clients or otherwise - cannot obtain it.
