NextGen is the next evolution of the Nextpoint review experience. While Legacy databases continue to be fully supported, NextGen introduces enhancements to document processing, review workflows, imports, exports, and annotation management.
Many Core Workflows Remain Familiar
While NextGen introduces several enhancements, the core workflows used in Legacy remain largely the same. Importing data, reviewing documents, applying coding decisions, and creating productions continue to follow familiar processes, allowing teams to transition smoothly while benefiting from new functionality.
Use the sections below to explore some of the key differences between NextGen and Legacy databases.
Legacy
- Uses a PNG-based imaging workflow.
- Many review actions require documents to be re-imaged.
NextGen
- Uses a PDF-based processing workflow.
- Reduces the need for repeated document imaging.
- Supports faster annotation and review actions.
These changes help streamline review workflows and improve document handling throughout the review lifecycle.
NextGen expands support for a variety of modern file types that may require conversion or special handling in Legacy workflows.
- HEIC image files
- DWG and CAD files
- GIF files
- PDF Portfolios
- Password-protected PST files
- Password-protected ZIP archives
- OST files
- RAR archives
- TAR archives
- Microsoft Office files with tracked changes
Note on password-protected files: NextGen provides improved import warnings when password-protected files are detected — including container files such as ZIP, RAR, TAR, PST, and PDF. Nextpoint does not unlock or bypass file passwords. If a file is password-protected, the password must be obtained and the protection removed outside of Nextpoint before the file can be reimported successfully. For more information on import warnings, see Common Import Warnings and Solutions.
For a more detailed list of supported file types in both Legacy and NextGen, see our Supported File Types article.
Legacy
Imports process in the background with limited visibility into detailed progress and troubleshooting information.
NextGen
NextGen provides enhanced visibility into import activity through the Import Status Monitor and Batch Details.
- Real-time progress updates
- Estimated completion times
- File-level error reporting
- Detailed warning and error information
- Actionable troubleshooting guidance
For help resolving import errors and warnings, see Common Import Warnings and Solutions.
Legacy
Traditional review workflows rely on image-based rendering and annotation processes. Repeated values must be identified and redacted manually throughout a document.
NextGen
NextGen introduces Instant Annotations, allowing comments, highlights, and redactions to appear immediately without waiting for document reprocessing.
- Highlights, comments, and redactions appear instantly
- Layer-based annotation management
- Review annotation history
- View which user modified a document and when
- Toggle annotation layers on or off
- Revert to the original document when needed
Auto-Redactions can automatically identify and redact commonly sensitive information throughout a document.
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers
- Social Security numbers
- Custom user-defined terms
For step-by-step instructions on working with redactions, see How to Apply Redactions.
NextGen Improvements
- Higher-quality document rendering
- Improved text recognition
- Improved extraction of inline content and images
- More Outlook-like rendering of email messages
- Enhanced readability during review
Legacy
Exported PDFs contain searchable text, but text selection may not always align precisely with the original document. Large exports may result in a high number of individual download packages.
NextGen
NextGen introduces several improvements to both PDF quality and export packaging.
- Selectable, searchable text in exported PDFs — text can be selected word-by-word with improved alignment and positioning
- Closer representation of the original document layout
- Enhanced usability outside of Nextpoint
- Large-volume exports are automatically packaged into 20GB containers, significantly reducing the number of downloads required on the receiving party's side
Legacy
Exhibit stamp options are limited in terms of the information that can be included, and the process for applying, modifying, or removing stamps requires additional steps.
NextGen
The exhibit stamping experience in NextGen offers greater flexibility and a more streamlined workflow.
- More control over what information is included on exhibit stamps
- Streamlined process for applying, modifying, and removing stamps
For step-by-step instructions, see Applying Exhibit Stamps in Litigation and Setting Up the Exhibit Stamping Template.
Legacy
Annotation handling during database exchanges provides limited control over how annotations are transferred. Exchanges are limited to 5,000 documents per batch.
NextGen
NextGen provides more flexibility when exchanging databases, with an increased batch limit of up to 40,000 documents.
- Configure annotation behavior based on project needs:
- Transfer annotations (redactions, highlights, endorsements, etc.) as permanently applied
- Transfer annotations as editable layers
- Exclude annotations from the exchange entirely
Legacy to NextGen exchanges are not currently supported. If you need to migrate data from a Legacy database to NextGen, the Nextpoint Services team can assist. Please note that a service fee applies. Contact Nextpoint Support or your Client Success Director to discuss your options.
Legacy
Confidentiality designations must be applied before Bates numbering, requiring a specific order of operations during productions.
NextGen
NextGen separates Bates numbering and confidentiality designations into independent application layers. Users are no longer required to apply confidentiality designations before Bates numbering — each can be applied independently and in any order.
This provides additional flexibility when applying, managing, and reviewing production markings across a matter.
For more information, see How to Endorse (Bates Stamp) Documents and How to Create Endorsement Templates.
NextGen was designed to better support large data volumes and processing-intensive workflows.
- Improved support for large matters
- Enhanced processing scalability
- More consistent system performance during high-volume workflows
Quick Comparison
| Area | Legacy | NextGen |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | PNG-based imaging; re-imaging required for many review actions | PDF-based processing; reduces the need for repeated document imaging |
| File Type Support | Standard supported file types; limited handling of modern formats | Expanded support for modern file formats; improved warnings for password-protected files |
| Import Monitoring | Background processing with limited progress visibility | Real-time progress tracking, estimated completion times, and file-level error reporting |
| Annotations & Redactions | Annotations require document reprocessing; repeated values must be redacted manually | Instant Annotations with layer controls; Auto-Redactions for PII and custom terms |
| Document Imaging Quality | Standard rendering; text extraction may vary | Higher-quality rendering; improved text recognition, inline image extraction, and email display |
| Exports | Searchable PDFs with variable text alignment; large exports split into many download packages | Selectable, word-level text with improved positioning; large exports packaged into 20GB containers |
| Exhibit Stamping | Limited stamp customization; multi-step process to apply, modify, or remove | Greater flexibility over stamp content; streamlined application, modification, and removal |
| Database Exchanges | Limited annotation transfer controls; 5,000 document batch limit | Configurable annotation transfer — permanent, editable, or excluded; 40,000 document batch limit |
| Bates & Confidentiality Stamping | Confidentiality designations must be applied before Bates numbering | Independent Bates and confidentiality layers; apply in any order |
| Scalability | Standard infrastructure; performance may vary at high document volumes | Enhanced support for large-volume matters with more consistent performance |
Questions About NextGen?
If you have questions about NextGen functionality or would like assistance evaluating a workflow, please contact Nextpoint Support or your Client Success Director.
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