How to Choose the Right Practice Management Software
From client management to knowledge bases, accounting, and time tracking, your law firm has plenty of software options to choose from. But patching together different software can take a toll on efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Simplify everything with integrated practice management software and help your firm:
- ● Organize and execute matter-related workflows
● Better capture and invoice for billable hours
● Increase transparency and accountability among team members
● Provide more consistent services for your clients
With so many options to choose from, how do you pick the right software?
Benefits of practice management software
If your firm already uses software for time tracking, billing, and matter management, is practice management software a worthwhile investment? Absolutely.
Though your needs will depend on your firm’s size and areas of practice, the right software will help:
- ● Consolidate information for efficiency and consistency across matters
● Track billable hours and invoice more accurately
● Increase billable hours by freeing up attorneys’ time
● Delegate tasks and facilitate communication between team members
● Avoid costly mistakes, compliance violations, and billing errors
These advantages make choosing integrated software an investment in your firm’s profitability.
Choosing software: questions to ask
When it comes to practice management software, here are important considerations.
Is the software cloud-based or on-premises?
Decide whether you want software stored locally or in the cloud.
Cloud-based software is accessible from almost anywhere, and offers attorneys flexibility in where they work. It can also reduce IT issues and protect your firm against the possibility of data loss in the event of sudden hardware failure.
But cloud-based software comes with certain drawbacks. If you lose access to the internet, the software may not be available. Security also becomes a factor, since your firm’s data has to pass through the software provider since it isn’t stored on-site.
On-premises practice management software has a security advantage, since data isn’t stored in the cloud.
Your firm’s choice will depend on practice area, data security needs, and whether attorneys need to work remotely. A flexible option is software that supports both on-premises and cloud-based usage.
What integrations does the software offer?
Practice management software should integrate with the other software you use every day. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself switching tabs and windows. And with data found in multiple places, the chance for inconsistencies and errors increases.
Look for software that integrates with your attorneys’ email and Office 365 to more easily generate, manage, and send matter-related documents.
What security features are included?
Your practice management software will be handling sensitive client data. Make sure it is secure.
If you’re considering cloud-based software, ask how the company ensures the security of data stored in the cloud. Look for software with user restrictions so you can place limits on access to specific data.
Is the software designed specifically for law firms?
Some popular practice management software options serve as “jacks-of-all-trades.” While these are fine for other types of businesses, law firms are better served with tools designed for busy attorneys.
Does the software have features you’ll use?
Any solution should offer multiple, easy-to-use features that streamline your firm’s workload and free up more time. Here are a few important features to look for.
- ● Calendar and matter management tools
● Document assembly and management
● Time tracking and billing
● Conflict checking
● Options for remote work
Get started today
Tens of thousands of legal professionals use Tabs3 Software for their practice management. To learn more about how Tabs3’s integrated products can help your firm, contact us.
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