Control the Cost. Reduce the Risk. Simplify Discovery.
Choosing the Right eDiscovery Model in a High-Risk, High-Data World
The wrong pricing model doesn’t just cost more. It increases risk.
Data volumes are expanding. Budgets are tightening. Deadlines are accelerating. And discovery mistakes carry real consequences that can be financial, reputational, and procedural.
Selecting an eDiscovery service model isn’t simply a pricing decision. It’s a strategic choice that affects predictability, defensibility, and long-term cost control.
IST offers four distinct service models, all powered by a secure Single Tool Workflow, designed to align with your case volume, internal capabilities, and financial strategy.
Whether you need flexibility for a single matter or a fully managed long-term partnership, the objective is the same:
Predictable costs. Defensible workflows. Reduced risk.
The Real Challenge: Complexity Without Clarity
Many legal teams struggle with:
Unpredictable invoices
fragmented workflows
data transfers between multiple vendors
ESCALATING REVIEW COSTS
INCREASING SCRUTINY AROUND SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE
Pricing confusion often leads to operational risk. Line-item billing structures can obscure true cost drivers, and disconnected systems can introduce vulnerabilities.
The result? More administrative burden, more budget uncertainty, and less time focused on legal strategy.
A well-aligned service model eliminates that friction.
IST’s Four eDiscovery Service Models
Each model addresses different operational realities. The right solution depends on volume, workflow complexity, and internal bandwidth.
In-and-Out (Transactional)
Best suited for: Discrete matters or organizations with infrequent litigation.
How It Works
Services (including collection, processing, hosting, and production) are billed based on actual usage for a specific case.
Client Benefits
- Flexibility: Engage only for what you need, when you need it.
- Cost Isolation: Charges remain tied directly to a single matter.
- Market Transparency: Upfront estimates aligned with current benchmarks (ingestion rates typically under $25/GB).
Consideration
While transactional models offer agility, they can create cost variability if workflows require multiple systems or repeated processing. IST mitigates this through clear forecasting and centralized data management.
All-In Pricing
Best suited for: Teams seeking budget predictability and simplified billing.
How It Works
A single per-GB rate combines processing, hosting, and exports into one comprehensive fee.
Client Benefits
- Cost Predictability: Eliminates unexpected technical line items.
- Budget Alignment: Enables early, accurate projections.
- Administrative Simification: Reduces time spent auditing invoices.
For organizations managing internal reporting or client pass-through billing, this model delivers clarity and control.
Bundled Services
Best suited for: Legal teams with recurring or moderate-to-high data volumes.
How It Works
Multiple services (including forensic collection, processing, analytics, and AI tools) are packaged into volume-based pricing tiers.
Client Benefits
- Economy of Scale: Unit cost decreases as volume increases.
- Advanced Capabilities Included: Tools like Sentiment and Behavioral Intelligence are embedded, not added as costly extras.
- Strategic Efficiency: A bridge between transactional work and long-term subscription.
Bundled services balance flexibility with cost efficiency.
Managed Services
Best suited for: Organizations handling multiple concurrent matters or sustained litigation activity.
How It Works
A subscription-based partnership providing:
- Dedicated environment (typically Relativity)
- Secure SOC 2 Type 2 infrastructure
- Expert project management
- Fixed monthly or annual pricing
Client Benefits
- Risk Mitigation: Data remains centralized within a Single Tool Workflow, reducing vulnerabilities from system transfers.
- Cost Efficiency: In one example, consolidating into an IST-managed environment reduced review time by over 50% and saved more than $40,000 on a single case.
- Operational Consistency: A unified workflow eliminates variability across matters.
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Particularly effective for ongoing litigation portfolios.
Managed Services often deliver the strongest combination of predictability, security, and long-term savings.
The Foundation: IST’s Single-Tool Workflow
All pricing models are powered by a centralized infrastructure that keeps the entire eDiscovery lifecycle within a secure environment.
This approach reduces risk by:
- Eliminating unnecessary data duplication
- Preventing system-to-system transfer vulnerabilities
- Applying consistent search and processing parameters
- Maintaining unified project oversight
Operational Advantages
- Unified Project Management: Primary and backup project managers ensure continuity and responsiveness.
- Integrated Discover-E Portal: Secure uploads, production tracking, and approvals within one environment.
- Reduced Reprocessing Costs: Parameters are applied correctly from the outset.
Real-Time Visibility: Clear insight into workflow status and billing.
Certified Security Standards
All data is protected by:
- SOC 2 Type 2 compliance
- SSL-128 encryption in transit
- AES-256 encryption at rest
- FIPS-140-2 certified media
- Biometric access controls
- 24/7/365 secured data centers
Security is embedded into the workflow, not an add-on.
Addressing Common Concerns
Evaluating eDiscovery service models often raises practical questions. Here’s how IST approaches the most common ones:
“We already have a vendor.”
That’s common — and not a barrier. IST frequently supports overflow matters, supplements existing workflows, or enhances efficiency within a current environment. Engagement does not require disruption.
“We need flat, predictable fees.”
Understood. All-In and Managed Services models are specifically designed to eliminate surprise billing and align with budgeting requirements.
“Our data is too sensitive.”
Security concerns are valid. IST’s SOC 2 Type 2 certified infrastructure, unified Single Tool Workflow, and encrypted data environment are built to reduce risk — not introduce it.
“We handle discovery internally.”
Many teams do — until volume spikes or complexity increases. IST supplements internal teams with scalable support, advanced tools, and expert project management when additional capacity is needed.
How IST Recommends the Right Model
“The goal is not to fit you into a model.
The goal is to fit the model to your operational reality."
the bottom line
transactional offers felxibility
ALL-IN OFFERS PREDICTABILITY
BUNDLED OFFERS EFFICIENCY
MANAGED OFFERS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES
Each is powered by the same secure, centralized infrastructure.
The difference is not just the price.
It’s control, clarity, and confidence in your discovery process.
Take the Next Step
Request a Strategic eDiscovery Assessment.
Understand where your current approach may be creating hidden cost or unnecessary risk and explore which model aligns best with your needs.
