When it comes to intellectual property (IP) management systems, often the initial allure is the promise of streamlined operations, enhanced productivity, and a secure repository for your invaluable assets. Companies and law firms diligently scrutinize the onboarding process, eager to understand how a new system will simplify their IP management, enhance security, and improve efficiency. However, there’s one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked in the excitement of getting started – the breakup process.
The Exit Strategy: Exporting Data
Deciding to switch providers or leave an IP management system can feel like preparing for a complex breakup. The ability to get access to your data is paramount in this scenario. It’s not just about having the option to leave; it’s about understanding how your data can be moved without losing its integrity, structure, or completeness.
Unfortunately, the ease with which you can export your data and transition to another provider varies significantly across different IP management systems. Some systems offer straightforward, comprehensive export capabilities, allowing you to take your data with you in a usable format. Others may impose limitations, format restrictions, or even data loss, making the transition process cumbersome and risky – akin to holding their customers hostage.
Hidden Costs of Exporting Data
The torment of hidden costs when exporting data from an IP management system cannot be overstated. While some providers are transparent about the costs involved in leaving, others may surprise you with hefty fees for data extraction, formatting, or even for simply providing access to your own data. These costs can add a significant burden to the task of switching providers, making it essential to understand the full scope of potential expenses before making a commitment. To make the situation worse, these unexpected and often exorbitant fees occur at the end of a professional relationship when communication tends to fray, and the excitement of a new, and better solution is just over the horizon.
The Overlooked Importance of the Departure Process
The excitement of adopting a new solution often overshadows the need for a clear and painless dissolution. Many companies and law firms fail to scrutinize the exit process with the same vigor they apply to the onboarding. This oversight can lead to a rude awakening when the time comes to part ways with a provider. The details of leaving a provider are frequently buried in lengthy, complex agreements that are easy to overlook in the early stages of a relationship but can become critical obstacles when you decide to move on.
No one wants to think about divorce when starting off on an exciting and new adventure. When selecting an IP management system, it’s crucial to look beyond the onboarding process and evaluate the provider’s policies on export capabilities, and the associated costs of leaving. A provider that puts the customer in control of their data, does not impose exorbitant fees for extracting data as a mechanism for retaining customers, and that offers transparency about the departure process, demonstrates a commitment to their customers’ long-term success and autonomy.
