Law firms need to adopt new technologies to keep up with the modern digital age that we operate in, this is particularly important as the legal sector is in a real state of flux and has been for a few years now.
Law firms are aware that technology must be used to its full potential to even have a chance of competing with their competition and to stay relevant in the ever-changing world – the only problem is they don’t know enough about Legacy applications to make a revised decision.
The massive number of regulations that you have to deal with in the sector make completing admin a long-drawn-out task, wasting time that could be spent adding value to their clients and the business. Therefore, it is essential to update the technology that is used to complete these tasks – it is essential and can have a real effect on the prolonged success of the organisation and the morale of your team.
Law firms need to invest in new technologies to address their business challenges. If the investment is in the right places, they have real power to turn it into increased business growth, but to do this, law firms must implement technology with the right business goals in mind.
Business goals
Take stock of the technology that your law firm is using and ask yourself if it is really fit for purpose and cost effective. Some systems only just meet the bare minimum requirements to carry out tasks, legal professionals need to search for more – if you don’t then you are not only wasting time using systems that aren’t up to the job, but also not giving your clients the best service possible.
The number of law firms that are hampered by Legacy IT systems is astonishing. Investment is needed and fast if remedying the issue is possible, it can sound like an expensive venture but it is possible to implement a good system whilst keeping expenditure low. When investing there is a fine line between spending smart and throwing money at something that doesn’t need it, investing in new tech can be a key business step that gets left behind, often business owners would rather poor precious finds into recruitment which is understandable, it can promote growth, but what is the point if the tools they are using aren’t capable of the job?
The Legacy hardware that you have will likely be slow and the software won’t integrate with any of the new applications you implement – this leads to the time dedicated to researching ahead of trials, communication between yourself and clients being much more drawn out and longer. One time you probably won’t notice the time wasted but adding them up across a week or a month quickly adds up and equate to time wasting that could be spend adding value elsewhere.
It’s easy to replace
It is quite easy to replace Legacy hardware, but for a law firm to stay competitive replacing them isn’t enough, they must replace them with alternatives that allow their business to move forward and grow.
A lawyer in the modern world isn’t restricted to the office, they may need to access important documents about a trial coming up or a new client whilst working remotely, perhaps on the train on the way to a trial, or at home.
This why moving to Cloud computing is essential, it allows you your workforce to work as smartly as possible from their mobile device – depending on how you run your law firm accessibility to your office documents when on the move become an essential upgrade to your technological arsenal.
Utilising Cloud technology allows for work on the move and the ability to work from any location on the planet with an internet connection becomes a possibility, you will also notice that updates are much easier and more efficiently deployed rather than before when you would have to deploy them one by one per device potentially taking days.
New tech
Embracing new technology is essential, it allows you to build on your competitive edge over your competitors if you can provide a quicker, easier, more efficient method to achieving the service you provide not only will you attract customers but also keep your team happy too.
One of the most revolutionary examples of this comes in the form of AI (Artificial Intelligence), previously – as you know – when a lawyer wanted to look back over an old case or legal precedent, it would mean them spending hours or even days pouring their heart and soul into textbooks and journals with little to know idea where the information needed is located. AI allows lawyers to simply type in a question with an app and within moments the information is there ready to be used, revolutionising a lawyer’s job forever.
Firms that have implemented AI are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, if a task that would have taken hours or perhaps even days to complete can now take as little as minutes, this allows them to use all that spare time being more productive by taking on more cases.
Law firms are at a crossroads – either stay doing things the way they are with poor IT that doesn’t do the job, isn’t secure, and wastes times, or take the other path and increase productivity and enhance you’re your chances of business growth.
We know the time has come to invest in technology and revolutionise your practice, but how do you know when your apps and systems have gone Legacy?
How do apps go Legacy?
When the operating system vendor ceases support
Some software programmes are designed to only operate on a specific operating system version – often is the case that the operating system becomes Legacy, not even the programme.
When you have chosen not to upgrade
Business owners in all industries like to leave things along when they are going well, and that is completely understandable – but some ignore newer versions of things out of worry that it will change output, which it probably will for a short period of time. By not using the latest version you are missing out on the new functionality – and most importantly – security features it has to offer.
When there is no newer version available
Sometimes – as annoying and unfortunate as it is – a vendor simply ceases to exist; they stop operating or perhaps they simply stop an app from running anymore and unfortunately that may be essential to your business. This could be for any reason, maybe your business found use for it where most couldn’t, or more likely, it isn’t financially viable for the vendor to continue supporting it.
It is beneficial to you to irradicate Legacy applications and hardware from your business as soon as possible, doing so will allow you and your team to use time better, be more productive going forward, and most importantly – be more secure.
Are you concerned about Legacy apps and hardware?
Are you concerned that you and your team are using dated technology that is going Legacy? You can be confident that we will work together with you and your team to really get to the route of any problems with your existing IT infrastructure and tools. Together we will find a solution that fits you, implement it for you, and be there for you in case any changes need to be made to it. Get in contact with us now and see how, with the right tools, you can manage your documents safely and securely.
Contact us for more information on 0203 096 2220 or hello@Exi-Go.com
