Properly designed and used, a computerized document management system offers the advantages normally associated with automated data processing: speed and reliability, flexibility, and long-term cost savings. The design of any document system calls for the following steps: analyzing the case and understanding the issues and problems it presents, keeping track of the documents obtained and produced in discovery, and coding the individual documents. The question of when to computerize requires consideration of several factors: the data base, the time factor, and the cost. Before purchasing a computer, lawyers should investigate the capabilities of the hardware and limitations in prepackaged software, it may be desirable for a lawyer to create a unique program. In selecting hardware, the primary considerations, in addition to cost, are storage capacity, processing time, availability of peripheral devices for expansion, and capabilities for future requirements. Once the hardware and software have been selected, the mechanics of an automated document management system are similar to a manual one. Nine notes are listed.