1 legal-specific practice management software in 2010: demo of three leading software susan l....
TRANSCRIPT
1
Legal-Specific Practice Management Software in 2010:
Demo of Three Leading Software
Susan L. Traylor, Practice Management Advisor,
Law Office Management Assistance Program,State Bar of Arizona
2
(Case, Project)PI Matter 2
(Case, Project)Bankruptcy
(Case, Project)PI Matter 1
(Contact, Customer)CLIENT = person
Link many matters to 1 Client (Contact)
(Case, Project)PI Matter 2
(Case, Project)Bankruptcy
(Case, Project)PI Matter 1
(Contact, Customer)CLIENT = person
3
CourtReporter
JudgeWitnessOpposing Attorney
Client
PI Matter 1
CourtReporter
JudgeWitnessOpposing AttorneyClient
PI Matter 1
Link many contacts (client, attorneys, parties, ... people)
to 1 matter
4
Creates a...
For all of a law office’s information
Grand Central Station
5
Contacts
Appointments
Reminders
Matters/Cases
Document Management Assemble Document
Track time
Phone calls
Organize web research
(Clients, Attorneys, Parties, People)
Calendaring/Docketing
Word or WordPerfect E-mail organization
SmartPhones, PDAs Remote access
PracticeManagement
Software
Billing/Accounting?
6
Selecting practice management software is like buying a...
7
Practice Management Software.....is like a house
Foundation features common to all Some have features distinguishing them from
others You must pick the right one for you Allow time, and patience, to move in, get settled There's a place for everything It's a good investment, especially over time
8
FOUNDATION features…
Contact Information Case/matter/file information Calendaring Timekeeping Grouping/classification Document management Document assembly MS Word and WordPerfect Compatible Reports Customizable fields And…
9
Integrated e-mail Links to standard time and billing programs Synchronization with personal digital assistants Inactivity reminders Date calculator Remote access Security settings Training and support
FOUNDATION features...cont’d
10
Flexibility for Customization Home many forms and fields can be added to the program?
Linking with other programs Popular e-mail software, i.e. Outlook, Groupwise, Rules based docketing vendors, i.e. Compulaw, E-filing vendor
Linking/Partnership with web services Online research vendors, i.e. Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw Online e-filing service
Practice-Specific Program is already customized for particular practice area(s) Litigation, Prosecution, Personal Injury, etc.
And…
11
Security Many options to control access to data
Client/Server Version Available? For large law firms or heavy usage
Front-Office/Back Office Integration Includes time & billing capability, Includes full accounting capability
Work from Word Processing Application Can create a link to client/matter while working within Word or Word Perfect
Web-Based Capability Available? Can login to the program through a web portal to access database from
anywhere;
Can provide extranet capability to staff and clients;
12
Three (3) Examples of Traditional
Practice Management Software
Abacus LawAmicus Attorney
Time Matters
13
SaaS: Also known as “Software-as-a-Service” or “thin client” Software is not installed on your computer or your network; You pay a monthly subscription to use it; Much less maintenance required;
Users login to the software using a web portal to access database from anywhere (“User Name” and “Password”)
Typically, you data is stored on the vendor’s servers; you may copy your data to your own computer, but if you do not pay your subscription fee, you will no longer have the “interface” to manipulate your data. (You may, however, be able to import it into another software.)
Examples of SaaS software are: Clio, Rocket Matter.
Practice Management Software “In-the-Cloud”
14
Puts your Outlook “On Steroids”! You must have Outlook 2003 or newer Software is not installed on your computer or your network; You pay a monthly subscription to use it; Much less maintenance required;
Users login to the software using a web portal to access database from anywhere (“User Name” and “Password”)
Your data is stored on your computer (network) and copied to the vendor’s server; if you do not pay your subscription fee, you will no longer have the “interface” to manipulate your data. (You may, however, be able to import it into another software.)
Example of Outlook Plug-In is: Credenza
Practice Management Software “Outlook Plug-in”
15
Features
IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER!!!
Which distinguishing features
are most important to you
…AND…
How the does the program perform the distinguishing features most
important to You
Which foundation features
are most important to you
…AND…
How the does the program perform the foundation features most
important to you
16
Why does an attorney needPractice Management Software?
Attorneys manage information Age of electronic information is here to stay Attorneys can store, sort, organize, link, retrieve exchange, electronic information more easily than hard documents New devices (SmartPhones, scanners, e-mail) cause a ‘splintering' of resources… Paper-less Office!
Practical Reasons
17
Why does an attorney need aCase Management Program?
Conflict Checking Calendaring deadlines and reminders Reduce errors caused by duplicative data entry Reduce errors caused by misplaced hard-copy notes, documents, files, case information Easily track billable/non-billable time “Digital” information can be cost-effectively shared with between staff and clients
Ethical Reasons
18
Keys to your SUCCESS...
• Time to install the program
• Time to customize the program to fit your practice style and area(s)
• Time to “move” data from your existing programs (aka “migrate” data) into your practice management software
• Classroom training
• Web cast training
• Training CD-Roms, manuals
• Certified Consultant to train in your office
• Help from vendor, through website or tech support
Allow Setup Time Allow Training Time
19
Practice Management SoftwareTraining, Customization and Consultation
Susan Traylor
LOMAP Practice Management Advisor
State Bar of Arizona
Certified Consultant for AbacusLaw,
Amicus Attorney,
Time Matters
[email protected] (602) 340-7355
CONTACT
20
Demonstration of
Three Leading, “traditional” Practice Management Software
Abacus LawAmicus Attorney
Time Matters