All law firms use some version of a case management system—from the crude (messy piles on a partner’s desk) to the sophisticated (documents in the palm of your hand). Case management software is the logistics of the legal world; you can’t set off on the road to victory if there are no roads, to begin with. However, unlike travel, the quickest and most efficient way to manage your cases is also the most cost-effective.
Still, “the cloud” can be a scary, confusing place for some people. To help uncloud the mystery surrounding it, here are 6 reasons why cloud-based law practice management software is the right choice for your firm’s needs.
1. The technology
There are 3 types of case management technologies, or lack thereof, available to law firms today: self-hosted, hybrid, and cloud-based case management solutions. Self-hosted is exactly what it sounds like—the burden of operation is on you. It requires significant manpower, large overhead expenditures, and an around-the-clock maintenance team. It’s as if your in-laws came to town and refused to stay anywhere but your house. A hybrid system, is essentially the same thing, except the infrastructure is housed elsewhere; like if your in-laws forced you to pay for their permanent vacation at the Ritz.
On the contrary, cloud-based systems, like CloudLex, keep your in-laws where they belong, in the ether. Cloud-based plaintiff personal injury management software are infrastructure-light and user-friendly. They work with you, not against you since they can be scaled up or down depending on your firm’s needs and capabilities, without sacrificing anything in the way of security or technology. A cloud system is robust and flexible and can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and on any device.
2. Individual needs
Whether it’s ordering a burrito or a nice suit, a one-size fits all mentality is a thing of the past—so why shouldn’t your plaintiff case management software be as flexible as your Chipotle? Firms’ needs vary based on a variety of factors such as size, practice area, and budgetary constraints, and your personal injury case management software should be able to adapt to those needs and, ultimately, the needs of your clients.
CloudLex—the Next-Gen Legal Cloud®—is not one-size fits all; on the contrary, it is specifically tailored for personal injury practices. It understands the needs of trial lawyers because it was designed by trial lawyers, alongside industry professionals and expert engineers, who understand the litigation process from start to finish.
3. Compatibility
Life today is increasingly mobile: you can make a call on your TV and watch a show on your phone. We live in a world, where everything we need is available at our fingertips at any time, and your case management software should be no different. If you’ve ever streamed a movie on your TV, you’re already living in the cloud. Using a cloud-based legal case management software is like streaming movies on Netflix, while firms still using one of the legacy based systems are too busy running to Blockbuster.
CloudLex allows employees access to case information efficiently, whenever and wherever they need it. That’s because the Legal Cloud® is connected 24/7/365 and is compatible with any internet-capable device (Windows, Android or iOS)—making your firm agile and better suited to meet the needs of your clients and staff alike.
4. Maintenance
In the past, purchasing personal injury software was similar to purchasing a printer; even if you got a good deal on the printer (“the software”), you were constantly running to the store to buy overpriced ink (“the software upgrades”). And the worst part is, you couldn’t even install the ink yourself; old-school personal injury software systems require constant on-site IT support. Translation: continual and unpredictable costs that leave your business in the red ink instead of the black.
With cloud-based personal injury software, you’re getting a printer with a never-ending supply of ink, because all technology upgrades are included in the cost. And the best part is, you don’t have to wait for Doug the IT intern to install them because upgrades occur magically in your sleep. All you have to do is wake up, and get to work.
And since your system does not reside on-site, no on-site maintenance is required. Instead, everything is handled from the cloud. Cloud-based systems are proactive. Before any updates are installed, they’ve been tested more times than a PhD student—so they work seamlessly. And the systems are constantly monitored to identify and fix issues well before they become a problem (Wouldn’t it be nice if a doctor could make your cold go away before your first sneeze?). In other words, cloud-based personal injury systems lead to decreased costs and increased efficiency, resulting in a better bottom-line for your firm.
5. Ease of use
There are many routine logistical tasks that are essential to running a successful law firm, from maintaining the calendar to data entry. The role of a successful case management software is to keep these tasks successfully running in the background, so a firm can focus its energy on being successful advocates for its clients.
CloudLex was designed with trial lawyers in mind. The Legal Cloud® was developed in collaboration with the nation’s leading litigation firms, ensuring it’s both intuitive and easy-to-use for everyone—from attorneys down to the intern that messed up your coffee order. As a result, these tasks become second-hand and automated, allowing your firm to take on more work without taking on more staff.
6. Value
An obvious tenet of any successful law firm is to keep costs down while refusing to sacrifice quality. When choosing a case management software, this strategy should be no different. Implicit in all the factors above is that cloud-based solutions are not only the most cost-effective but they also the most flexible and efficient.
CloudLex’s setup costs are minimal and don’t require extra overhead in the form of extra space, equipment, or staff. And there are no long-term fees for maintenance and support. Instead, you get a secure and HIPAA-compliant system hosted by tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft—meaning no unforeseen headaches or expenses in the future. It’s like getting the best house on the block with little down, tiny mortgage payments, and zero chance of foreclosure.
If you’re ready to learn more about cloud-based legal technologies and get a leg up on your competitors, please visit our website. Or better yet, if you want to see exactly how CloudLex can streamline your legal practice into a well-oiled, paperless machine, you can schedule a case management software demo now. It’s like borrowing your friend’s Netflix password while your competitors are too busy building a VCR room. We look forward to working with you and expanding your practice exponentially.
