When selecting your law office management software, it’s essential that you find a platform that suits your firm’s services and client needs. It should seamlessly provide you with a comprehensive plan to manage your caseload and improve your client interactions. However, that can be easier said than done if you don’t know what to look out for.
For some, the hunt for law office software for lawyers will be done on a feature-by-feature basis. In contrast, others seek platforms that help grow their businesses and improve their success metrics. With that being said, most do not look at the full picture and see how both of these points need to work harmoniously.
So, what does it take to find the right software for your business without sacrificing any opportunities to grow your firm? Here we will help you sift through which key features and offerings are notable and which you can do without.
How to Choose Law Office Management Software:
Finding law office software for lawyers can be overwhelming. With all of the choices out there, how do you know which is the best? Like with any major purchasing decision, you should do your due diligence and weigh up all your options. Below, we will cover how you can exactly go about this.
1. Do Your Research
First and foremost, conducting thorough research is imperative to your choice of law office management software. Even though you may think the first search result is perfect for your firm, considering what else out there is vital. Doing your research can open up the door to better price points, operating systems, and customer support teams – all of which can significantly impact your experience with the technology.
2. Understand Pricing Structures
Unfortunately, not all management software is made the same, and neither are their pricing structures. Be careful and keep an eye out for hidden costs, complicated payment plans, or exorbitant fees. You should also consider how the costs to maintenance ratio affect your budget and long-term satisfaction.
3. Investigate Different Operating Systems
As part of your research, we highly recommend spending a few hours getting to know the different operating systems on the market. Most notably, cloud-based law practice management software and on-premise software law practice management software. Both of these platforms have their pros and cons which will ultimately depend on your firm’s setup. This will also depend on your client management strategies too – do you offer out of office hours or home appointments?
As an overview, here’s what you can expect as key differences between the two software systems.
Cloud-based law practice management software
- Usually sold on a monthly or subscription basis
- Operates via internet browsers
- Automatically updates with little interference
- Most issues occur at the source and are usually resolved timeously
On-premise software law practice management software
- Commonly sells on one-off payments with a few additional costs
- May require an IT specialist to install and run
- Different hardware may affect compatibility and performance
- Needs updated licensing
4. Consider the Compatibility of Your Current Programs
If your firm is currently utilizing various software platforms, we advise looking into how these will operate under your new law office management system. Of course, there’s also the option to seek a program that encompasses your current digital tools and software under one system. For example, with Amberlo, law firms can manage their billing, expense tracking, calendars, appointments, client relations, and more, all from one place.
5. Examine Compliance and Security
Compliance and information security are detrimental to any firm. Keeping your clients’ folders safe is of high priority and so it should be for your management software too. Make sure to look for a digital tool that can keep up with the latest compliance regulations and that ensures optimal cybersecurity.
6. Analyse Training and Workflow Influences
Ultimately, your case management software should help your firm become more efficient and productive. Of course, there will be an initial learning period for all employees but this should not last longer than a few days. Upon doing your research and you note a few red flags about training and workflow imbalances, you may want to consider other platforms.
Remember, the goal of law office management software is to take the pressure off of your law firm. This will foster a more productive environment for both you and your clients.
Final Thoughts
Need more advice on what law office management software is suitable for your firm? Navigating the world of law office software for lawyers can be tricky and our team of experienced experts is ready to help you! If you’d like to learn more about Amberlo or if you have any questions regarding working with case management platforms, please get in touch.
