I think these "abstractor" applications go beyond a data entry form.  The data entry form is just a means to enter the data which is probably stored in a robust database that will allow you to search, modify, format, and export the data in various formats. 

Some of these applications were designed with the ability to export the data in a specific format which could be imported directly into your clients production software eliminating the need for them to re-type the information to generate their commitments. 

I have even heard that some of them can create the invoices and handle the accounts receivables also.  They may also allow the images of the supporting documents to be scanned in and stored along with the search.  This allows for optical character recognition (OCR) to be able to generate the full legal description without re-typing it.

This is ultimately the direction the industry is moving. 

Regards,
Robert A. Franco
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