Available Cloud-Based Solutions for Legal Firms in Australia

Migrating to the cloud seems to be the best option now in order to secure your law firm’s future. However, moving can be uncomfortable especially if you’re not sure what exactly this meteorological-term-turned-into-a-technological-service is all about.

A rising number of large and established legal firms in Australia are shifting to cloud-based solutions. Moving almost all data and other resources to the cloud seems to be the trend nowadays. Reasons cited are the monumental benefits promoting convenience such as: the ease of use, 24/7 accessibility, IT cost reduction, and improved productivity.

Cloud-based software like Google Drive and Dropbox, boasts the ability for anyone in your firm to access files. This is without the need for downloading applications, or eating up a large amount of space on your computer as they can be accessed simply by logging into a web browser.

Cloud-based applications are indeed revolutionising how legal firms conduct their business. It allows lawyers and legal professionals to work more effectively and efficiently anywhere and at any time. Another pivotal advantage of cloud-based applications is its compatibility with existing legal software, thus making it possible to access and mirror your firm’s office -virtually.

Understanding the Cloud

If you still don’t have a good grasp of what the Cloud is all about, think about Gmail. You can access your Gmail account simply by using the internet. Gmail is an application that runs in your browser, allowing you to log into your mailbox. You use the tool without the need to store it in your disk driver or in your phone’s internal storage. The messages and attachments are being saved somewhere else, meaning that it is not stored on an internally located server. This is the same concept as the Cloud.

The data is being stored in massive server farms located in different parts of the world. These servers each have a different function and are connected through real-time communication networks.

Now, let’s look at the different terms associated with the Cloud...

'Public Cloud'

When talking about the public Cloud, a good thing to remember is that there is no exclusivity. The cloud computing resources in this environment can be easily accessed by others as well. From the hardware, software, and data storage services you consume, the Public Cloud has a specific menu of services and therefore is not easily customisable. However, the public Cloud is very cost-effective.

'Software as a Service' (SaaS)

SaaS, also referred as 'web-based' or 'hosted software', is a service where you simply access an application using the Internet. With 'Software as a Service', you don’t need to install and maintain software, thus freeing you from complex technical management. The service provider of a SaaS ultimately manages the application which includes its availability and security.

'Private Cloud' or 'Infrastructure/Platform-as-a-Service' (IaaS or PaaS)

Unlike the public Cloud, the private Cloud differs primarily due to its flexibility. Your firm can pick specific features and customise it according to your preferred availability, security, and performance requirements. In a private Cloud setting, the service provider (not the firm) owns the servers and network components. However, you (the firm) will have more control when it comes to system specifications.

'Infrastructure-as-a-Service' (IaaS) deals with the physical hardware within the managed solutions space, which is the infrastructure component. 'Platform-as-a-Service' (PaaS) on the other hand, is a service that offers client's full control over their platform.

'Storage-as-a-Service' (STaaS)

In STaaS, a firm rents out space inside their storage infrastructure to another person or firm. 'Storage as a service' is more popular in small or mid-sized firms as it’s cheaper than owning their own storage infrastructure. In this model, the provider allows storage space to be rented on a cost-per-gigabyte-stored and cost-per-data-transfer basis.

Now, here’s a comprehensive list of current available cloud-based software for legal firms in Australia.

* PracticePanther Legal Software. Case/contact/document management, calendaring, docketing, time-tracking, billing, invoicing, and accounting.

* AbacusLaw Software. Court date calculator, rule-based calendaring, data security, time-tracking, email management.

* Clio Software. Case and document management, billing and invoicing, accounting, task reporting.

* MyCase Software. Time-tracking, case/contact management, docketing, electronic billing, custom communication templates, case filling, expense tracking, and dedicated client portal.

* TimeSolv Legal Software. Time-tracking, billing solution, case/document management, document automation.

* BQE Core Legal. Integrated accounting, time-tracking, billing, invoicing, customisable report templates.

* Smokeball Software. Case/contact management, calendaring, time-tracking, billing, accounting, automated legal forms, task-management, email management.

* Kurent by Tabs3. Billing and invoicing, trust account management, time-tracking, payment collection, data analysis.

* GrowPath Software. Case and document management, matter trackers, market measurement tools, ROI measurement tool.

* ProTempus Software. Contact/case/document management, trust accounting.

* CloudLex Software. Collaboration communication tool, advanced calendaring, document management, client communicator app, digital archiver app, built-in referral engine.

* SmartAdvocate Software. Case/contact/document management, communication tool, calendaring, docketing, time-tracking, integrated accounting, billing and invoicing.

* CASEpeer Software. Intake, case, document and task management tools, negotiation and litigation tracking, reporting, search tools, case timelines.

* ProLaw Software by Thomson Reuters Elite. Financial management, automated time-tracking and expense management, remote/mobile time-tracking, invoicing, case management, document storage, email integration.

* Legal Files Software. Case and matter management solution, automated routine administrative tasks.

* LegalEdge Software. Case screens, criminal prosecution screens, offers integration options to other government agencies as well as Outlook for appearances, tasks and linking emails to cases.

* Mitratech Software. Case/contact/document management, calendaring, docketing, time-tracking, billing, invoicing, and accounting.

* Logikcull Software. Legal discovery process management.

* Essential Software by Anaqua. Case/document management, calendaring, docketing, time-tracking, billing and invoicing.

* Freshbooks Software. Invoicing, expense tracking, time-tracking, reporting, payment management.

* BillQuick Legal. Comprehensive business accounting, project management, time-tracking.

* Avaza Software. Project and expense management, resource scheduling, online timesheets, invoicing, quotes.

* HoudiniEsq Software. Case and matter management, billing, invoicing, case budgets, time-tracking, text indexed document management, email management.

* CosmoLex Software. Time-tracking, billing, trust accounting, task and document management.

* Rocket Matter Software. Time and billing management, calendaring, document management, payments and collaboration management modules.

* Prevail Case Management Software. Document/case management, docketing, time-tracking, billing.

* Firm Central Software by Thomson Reuters. Client/matter/document/task management, time and billing, scheduling, and document assembly.

* Actionstep Software. Case management, billing, invoicing, accounting, workflow automation.

* MerusCase Software. Case/document management, time-tracking, billing, calendaring, communication tools.

* Coyote Analytics Software. Modules for finance/contact/document management, reporting, scheduling, billing, accounting.

* Law Ruler Software. Case management on a standalone basis, document/contact management, calendaring, docketing, billing, invoicing.

* App4Legal Software. Corporate law, litigation cases, contact/document/finance/task management, time-tracking.

* LegalTrek Software. Office management, time-tracking, schedule management.

* CoCounselor Software. Case/task management, scheduling, automatic document creation.

* LawGro Software. Contact/case/document/task management, time and expense tracking, billing, invoicing, conflict searching and reporting.

* LeanLaw Software. Time-tracking, billing, invoicing, financial reporting, Quickbooks integration.

* Case Master Pro Software. Case/document management, billing, accounting, custom reporting.

* FactBox Software. Evidence and fact-tracking management.

* Jarvis Legal Software. Automatic time-tracking, client/case/document management, reporting.

* Aderant Software. Modular solution (standalone basis or as a single suite) composed of integrated applications for practice management, project management, case management, knowledge management, calendaring, business intelligence.

* BEC Legal Software. Case/contact management, calendaring, docketing, document assembly, document formatting, metadata management.

* The Legal Assistant Software. Task management and document management.

* TrialLine Software. Mediation, trial presentation, legal timeline solution.

* Everlaw Software. E-discovery support: search capabilities, prediction engine, context panel.

* Case.one Software. Client portal, time-tracking, workflow automation, reporting, billing, invoicing.

* dealcloser Software. Transaction processing, deal management, administrative tasks management.

* SuiteCRM Legal CRM. Case/contact/document management, billing, invoicing, calendaring, docketing, time-tracking.