Robert Ambrogi Blog
Last year, just ahead of ILTACON, NetDocuments introduced ndMAX, a generative AI tool built directly into the NetDocuments platform to enhance various document-related workflows, starting with PatternBuilder MAX, a “turbocharged” version of its PatternBuilder document assembly software designed to enable firms to create custom AI automations tailored to the needs of their specific practices.
Now, at this years ILTACON, which is currently underway in Nashville, the company has unveiled ND Max Assist, new intelligent agent that uses AI and natural language processing to help users work more efficiently and effectively with their documents.
ndMAX Assist enables users to interact with NetDocuments in a conversational manner through natural language commands and queries to find information, answer questions in documents, create summaries, and draft responses or revisions to content.
“Having an intelligent agent inside NetDocuments gives users another way to securely interact with their documents through generative AI without needing to transfer content into another platform,” CEO Josh Baxter said. “This is another example of how we’re committed to helping legal professionals do their best work – with greater precision and confidence.”
ND Max Assist is designed to provide an intuitive chat interface where users can ask questions about their documents, retrieve specific information, and perform other tasks, all without leaving the NetDocuments environment.
Designed to be user-friendly, catering to both advanced users and those just beginning to explore AI tools in legal workflows, NetDocuments describes it as “a simple front door for users to securely access the power of AI.”
Because the assistant is integrated directly within NetDocuments, it enables users to access and interact with their data securely, without needing to be concerned about the privacy and confidentiality of their documents.
NetDocuments say the product will grow over time, to incorporate more advanced capabilities as they are developed.
During a pre-ILTACON demonstration of the product for the media, NetDocuments showed a scenario involving a law firm conducting due diligence on a potential acquisition. The demo showed ND Max Assist being used to analyze lease agreements, identify key contractual details (such as governing law and rental amounts), and generate issue lists.
The assistant is also shown performing deeper document analysis and comparisons, demonstrating its ability to handle both high-volume and one-off tasks.
Staged Rollout
ND Max Assist will be released in stages across different regions, aligned with the availability of the necessary AI models in those areas. The goal is to make the product globally available by the end of the year, although this is dependent on external factors like Azure’s rollout of AI models.
NetDocuments also described plans to bring semantic search capabilities in the first half of 2025. This feature will transform how users retrieve knowledge from documents, the company said, allowing for natural language queries and context-based results. Semantic search will integrate with both Pattern Builder Max apps and ND Max Assist, further enhancing the platform’s capabilities.