explaining legal software
DESCRIPTION
Presentation I did for Ernie Svenson and Dane S. Ciolino's Digital Work Flow CLE: http://www.digitalworkflowcle.com/. On explaining what Legal Software.TRANSCRIPT
Case Database & Information Management
Case Database & Information Management
Advanced Paperless for Lawyers12/30/2010
Types of SoftwareTypes of Software
Front Office (PMS)
Back Office (Billing and Accounting)
DMS (Document Management)
Front Office (PMS)
Back Office (Billing and Accounting)
DMS (Document Management)
What is a PMS?What is a PMS?
Combines calendaring/docketing/tickler functions case information tracking address book functionality document assembly capabilities email integration
Portability Laptops PDA’s
Avoid malpractice Turn wasted time into billable time
Combines calendaring/docketing/tickler functions case information tracking address book functionality document assembly capabilities email integration
Portability Laptops PDA’s
Avoid malpractice Turn wasted time into billable time
Includes Case Mangement
Includes Case Mangement
Software that allows you to go to one place and see every: phone call, document, email, time entry, and note that everyone in the firm has made regarding a particular matter/case
Practice Management Software includes Case Management
Software that allows you to go to one place and see every: phone call, document, email, time entry, and note that everyone in the firm has made regarding a particular matter/case
Practice Management Software includes Case Management
PMS SoftwarePMS Software
PricingPricing
1st\Add UserAmicus Premium: $699\$599Amicus Small Firm: $499\$399TimeMatters Enterprise: $700\$400PracticeMaster: $295\$150Advologix: $90\$75 a MonthClio*: $49\$25 a MonthRocket Matter**: $59 a Month
1st\Add UserAmicus Premium: $699\$599Amicus Small Firm: $499\$399TimeMatters Enterprise: $700\$400PracticeMaster: $295\$150Advologix: $90\$75 a MonthClio*: $49\$25 a MonthRocket Matter**: $59 a Month
Maintenance PlanMaintenance Plan
This is the profit center for the software companies (except Clio)
Amicus Small Firm $280/$180Amicus Premium $350/$250TimeMatters $350/$150Practice Master $130/$53Clio IncludedRocketMatter IncludedAdvologix Included
This is the profit center for the software companies (except Clio)
Amicus Small Firm $280/$180Amicus Premium $350/$250TimeMatters $350/$150Practice Master $130/$53Clio IncludedRocketMatter IncludedAdvologix Included
Hosted vs In-HouseHosted vs In-House
Hosted or SaaS have become popular in the upcoming years
Clio and Rocketmatter are the two most popular SaaS Practice Management solutions
Browser Agnostic so they will run on anything
Young in their product cycle (less features)
Hosted or SaaS have become popular in the upcoming years
Clio and Rocketmatter are the two most popular SaaS Practice Management solutions
Browser Agnostic so they will run on anything
Young in their product cycle (less features)
Why We Like SaaSWhy We Like SaaS
TCO of ownership is cheaper (Maybe)The more uptime you have, the more
money Clio makes so your interest are aligned with theirs
They have escrowed your data so if they go out of business (unlikely) you have access to your data for 5 years
Don’t need a server
TCO of ownership is cheaper (Maybe)The more uptime you have, the more
money Clio makes so your interest are aligned with theirs
They have escrowed your data so if they go out of business (unlikely) you have access to your data for 5 years
Don’t need a server
My OpinionMy Opinion
Amicus is most intuitive and easy to use
TimeMatters has the most bells and whistles, most customizable
PracticeMaster is a solid product, but seen very little in the area
Clio and Rocketmatter are young and promising and never go down
Amicus is most intuitive and easy to use
TimeMatters has the most bells and whistles, most customizable
PracticeMaster is a solid product, but seen very little in the area
Clio and Rocketmatter are young and promising and never go down
Back Office SoftwareBack Office Software
BILLING & ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE
● Most packages are becoming integrated.
● Timeslips requires you to also have an accounting package like Quickbooks or Peachtree.
● PCLaw, Tabs 3, Juris, and Billing Matters have billing and accounting functions.
● Legal specific accounting software makes it hard to commit malpractice
DMS SoftwareDMS Software
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
● Opened Ended vs. Close Ended
● Most Practice Management
Software include an Open Ended DMS
• PCLaw is Open
• Worldox is Closed
DMS – Closed
DMS – Open
PricingPricing
Worldox: $395 a User (80 Tech Support)
NetDocs: Size?OpenText: ExpensiveAutonmy: Expensive
Worldox: $395 a User (80 Tech Support)
NetDocs: Size?OpenText: ExpensiveAutonmy: Expensive
How to Buy SoftwareHow to Buy Software
Get several demosMake Sure it Integrates with your:
Billing / AccountingWord ProcessorMobile Devices
Get several proposals with software and installation \ training \ customization costs
Get several demosMake Sure it Integrates with your:
Billing / AccountingWord ProcessorMobile Devices
Get several proposals with software and installation \ training \ customization costs
Free Trials \ DemosFree Trials \ Demos
Free Trials are a joke, no one every takes the time to install and test them out. (Clio and Rocketmatter are the exception, nothing to install)
Get a Demo from the Software Company and then one from a consultant
Consultant lives in Law Firms, the software company does not
Free Trials are a joke, no one every takes the time to install and test them out. (Clio and Rocketmatter are the exception, nothing to install)
Get a Demo from the Software Company and then one from a consultant
Consultant lives in Law Firms, the software company does not
Integrations – Billing and Accounting
Integrations – Billing and Accounting
There is no one software that does everything well
Take the best billing / accounting software and link it to the best practice management software
There is no one software that does everything well
Take the best billing / accounting software and link it to the best practice management software
Integration (Other)Integration (Other)
Word ProcessorWord or Wordperfect only (no
open office or google docs) Internet Browser (IE and Firefox only)*DMS (Document Management
System)Email Client (Outlook or Groupwise)*Clio and RocketMatter work in any
browser
Word ProcessorWord or Wordperfect only (no
open office or google docs) Internet Browser (IE and Firefox only)*DMS (Document Management
System)Email Client (Outlook or Groupwise)*Clio and RocketMatter work in any
browser
Mobile DevicesMobile Devices
Wireless vs Wired SyncShould offer wireless sync through
exchangeSeparate TimeKeeping Feature
Wireless vs Wired SyncShould offer wireless sync through
exchangeSeparate TimeKeeping Feature
Mobile DevicesMobile Devices
Wireless vs Wired SyncMost of Legal Software links
through Outlook.Amicus Attorney has a mobile
product that works on Blackberry and Windows Mobile
Worldox has a Mobile VersionClio optimized for iPhone and links
well with Google.
Wireless vs Wired SyncMost of Legal Software links
through Outlook.Amicus Attorney has a mobile
product that works on Blackberry and Windows Mobile
Worldox has a Mobile VersionClio optimized for iPhone and links
well with Google.
Hardware \ Networking People
Hardware \ Networking People
Extremely dedicated, hardworkingProbably not a lot of experience in
installing Legal SoftwareGet a consultant who can work
with your hardware people and let them know the best practices
Extremely dedicated, hardworkingProbably not a lot of experience in
installing Legal SoftwareGet a consultant who can work
with your hardware people and let them know the best practices
Upgrade Software and Hardware
Upgrade Software and Hardware
The minimum requirements ensure that you get the minimum return on your investment
Get your hardware company to upgrade your network, computers, operating systems, word processors
Wait at least a month to install the PMS once the upgrades have been completed
The minimum requirements ensure that you get the minimum return on your investment
Get your hardware company to upgrade your network, computers, operating systems, word processors
Wait at least a month to install the PMS once the upgrades have been completed
Proposal TimeProposal Time
Get the cost from your hardware company
Get a proposal from a consultant on the software and installation / training / customization costs
Get everyone involved in some part of the decision process
Get the cost from your hardware company
Get a proposal from a consultant on the software and installation / training / customization costs
Get everyone involved in some part of the decision process
Install TimeInstall Time
Have several staff meetings to fill out an implementation sheet
https://www.box.net/shared/static/9h06y5vhjc.pdfPlan for Training and Down TimeHave a positive productive
attitude
Have several staff meetings to fill out an implementation sheet
https://www.box.net/shared/static/9h06y5vhjc.pdfPlan for Training and Down TimeHave a positive productive
attitude
Force TrainingForce Training
Plan for training, make it mandatory, turn on the answering system and leave cell phones outside
Getting the paralegals and assistances to attend training, with the ideal that they will in turn, training their attorney, is a stupid ideal and a waste of time
Plan for training, make it mandatory, turn on the answering system and leave cell phones outside
Getting the paralegals and assistances to attend training, with the ideal that they will in turn, training their attorney, is a stupid ideal and a waste of time
Training SessionsTraining Sessions
Basic – Done Immediately- For Everyone - 3 Hours
Advances Use - 2 – 4 weeks Later – For Everyone – 2 Hours
Administrator Training – Done Immediately – Admins/Power Users only – 3 Hours
Basic – Done Immediately- For Everyone - 3 Hours
Advances Use - 2 – 4 weeks Later – For Everyone – 2 Hours
Administrator Training – Done Immediately – Admins/Power Users only – 3 Hours
Thank You For Listening!
Thank You For Listening!
Law Office Technology www.lawot.com
Craig Bayer [email protected]
Law Office Technology www.lawot.com
Craig Bayer [email protected]