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When it comes to producing electronically stored information (ESI), eDiscovery managers can choose between multiple formats. To this end, native production is becoming an increasingly popular method for its ability to lower costs, improve accuracy, and ensure a speedy and efficient eDiscovery process.
Read on to learn what native production means through an eDiscovery lens, along with some benefits of using this format.
What Is Native Production in eDiscovery?
Native production in eDiscovery is the production and analysis of file types in their original format from their source location.
Viewing and processing native eDiscovery content requires a dedicated document viewer. However, it requires no additional time or effort to produce ESI natively, making it a preferred choice for many legal teams during eDiscovery.
What Is a Native File Format?
Just as the name suggests, a native file format refers to a document’s original file type. When a file is in its native format, it’s without conversion or modification. In other words, the file is in its original condition.
To illustrate, this may include Word documents in .doc or .docx format, Excel spreadsheets in .xls or .xlsx format, or PowerPoint presentations in .ppt or .pptx. Additional examples include emails as .eml or .msg, and online content in WARC or web archive format.
By producing files in their native format, you can present them as undoctored evidence. It’s a way to grant an opposing legal party a direct snapshot into what a file looks like in its original state—like an email that someone sends or a financial presentation.
It’s important to realize that native file formats don’t require their native applications. To clarify, you don’t need Microsoft Word to view a .docx file. Modern eDiscovery platforms make it possible to view files in their native formats without requiring their supporting applications.
