By now, taking your law firms and technology online is nothing new. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, using cloud-based legal software should be standard for most. Therefore, it is important to seek the best law firm software for your company’s needs.
The fact is that even if you’re content with your current software provider, there’s always room to improve. Whether you plan to bring in the new year with remote work environments or you’re looking to enhance your firm’s performance as a whole, knowing what to look for in your software is key.
In this article, we will help you navigate your options and understand your choices. By the time 2021 comes around, your firm will already have the upper hand by being prepared and comfortable with your chosen platform.
Knowing When to Upgrade Your Cloud-Based Legal Software
When it comes to law firms and technology, knowing when to upgrade your software is half of the battle. Many firms work with outdated platforms that lead to decreased productivity and plenty of frustration. So, if you’re mulling over an upgrade, you may want to take the following points into consideration.
You Use Multiple Systems
As your law firm has grown, your needs for different systems may have increased too. Unfortunately, this may have resulted in many wires being crossed and plenty of headaches. If you’re not using one platform to operate from, it’s time for an upgrade.
You Still Have Mountains of Paperwork
The biggest benefit of legal software is that it reduces the need for unorganized paperwork. Paperless is the future and cloud-based technology is the way to go. This helps to make documents easier to manage, safer to store, and it cuts down unnecessary printing expenses.
Your Software Design is Outdated
If your software is looking and working like it’s from the 90s, it probably is! Your legal software should be modern and in-line with today’s digital efficiencies.
Your Software’s Support has Been Discontinued
No one likes constantly calling the IT department for a problem that can be easily solved by a knowledgeable software customer liaison. If you’re missing this from your platform, you may want to start looking at your new options.
You Don’t Have Access to New Technologies
Representing new clients, especially millennials, means that you have to be on top of your game. For this to happen, you have to access the latest technology to help you manage teams, tasks, invoices, and documents. Technology such as time tracking, online billing, and cloud computing are just some of the features that are a must.
Choosing the Best Law Firm Software
If you google law firms and technology, you will be overwhelmed with options. So, how do you know which is the best for 2021? Here’s what to look out for.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a vital consideration for industries using technology. For lawyers, it’s arguably even more important due to the sensitivity of your stored documents. A stellar cybersecurity system will prevent any breaches from happening and help you keep up with data compliance.
Financial Tracking
One of the most notable trends for 2021, according to Xperta, is reducing financial admin and increasing billing accuracy. Your day as a lawyer is complicated enough – don’t let missed invoices or late payments add to it. Your choice of technology should help you optimize your billing, get paid on time, and minimize the hassle.
In addition to billing, your legal software should be a leader in time and expense tracking. Not all legal clients are made equal, and sometimes contract agreements need to be taken into consideration when it comes to time tracking and billing. As for expenses, running a law firm definitely comes with its costs. To ensure a healthy profit margin, an accurate expense calculation is key.
CRM
If you’ve read our previous blog post on 5 Ways to Improve Your Law Firm’s Customer Service, then you will already know how important customer relationship management is. Staying on top of your client communication, onboarding, and email strategies are just some of the features to keep your eye on.
Cloud Computing
Now that remote work has become the “new normal”, having a system that is accessible from anywhere at any time is imperative. Who knows how long we will have to stay safe and keep our distance, but 2021 is sure to cement the process of working from home. Cloud computing is not only recommended for this but completely necessary.
Learn More About Amberlo
When it comes to cloud-based legal software that can do it all, look no further than Amberlo. If you’d like to learn more about our platform and features, please get in touch.
