The legal profession is a vital industry that keeps society functional. Every day, lawyers take on cases to fight for justice, making sure that people receive what they are owed and that the law is upheld 24/7/365. In 2023, law firms are expected to face many challenges, putting their skills and experiences to the test. To thrive in a new legal landscape, law firms will need to invest in a reliable information technology (IT) environment.
But with the large array of legal technology solutions available (whether they be services or programs), knowing what solutions your legal practice needs can be tricky. To help you, this article will lay out 4 staple legal IT solutions that your firm can leverage in 2023. With these tools streamlining your business processes, you and your team will be able to build a strong foundation to automate processes, improve efficiency, and improve information security.
1. Legal document management software
Legal document management software provides law firms with the capability to manage and store their documents. Its purpose is to streamline processes surrounding information gathering, allowing vital documents to be seamlessly located and used by authorized personnel. In addition to enhancing document security, document management software for lawyers can also serve as an effective way to mitigate waste as it calls for less paper usage.
The daily workflow processes of lawyers can be intense. And in between court appearances and liaising with clients, having a secure hub to store and access legal documents is critical for saving time and keeping operations running at full speed. With document management software powering your firm’s business operations, you can access sensitive data within your IT environment at a faster rate and focus on what’s important: Helping your clients.
2. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 (M365) is a cloud-based suite of productivity applications that law firms can use to streamline processes and innovate their IT environment. The suite can be accessed through the Internet, making its applications usable from any location (and by any device) that supports a reliable Internet connection. With M365, you and your co-workers will be able to create, edit, store, and share projects within a secure ecosystem.
M365 apps include:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- OneDrive
- SharePoint
- Outlook
- And more
The suite makes it easy for law firms to benefit from streamlined work processes and dynamic collaboration. M365 gives users the ability to co-author documents, meaning that several people can work on a single document at the same time. Any edits that are made in the document synchronize across your organization’s network, ensuring that you and all your employees have access to the same information.
Of all legal technology solutions, M365 is a must-have tool. Its apps support an extensive range of business workflows. At the same time, as the suite is available through subscriptions, there is a level of service, and price, that is perfect for any sized law firm.
3. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams (also known as “Teams” for short) is an impressive collaboration platform that can help law firms achieve their immediate and long-term communication and collaboration goals. Available as part of the M365 suite and on its own, Teams has a number of features that make it easy for team members to stay connected, collaborate on projects, manage tasks, and more.
Some of these features include:
- Private and group chat channels that support instant messaging
- Audio calls
- Video calls
- Screen sharing
- Integration with third-party apps and Microsoft programs
- And more
Effective communication is of the utmost importance for lawyers and their firms. If your employees are unable to communicate with each other or with clients, it can generate miscommunications and reflect poorly on your organization, negatively impacting your reputation. Teams supplies you with various methods for communicating, from video conferencing to phone calls. With it, you can ensure that all of your team members are on the same page and that the information circulating throughout your firm is reliable and up to date.
4. Legal IT services
Upgrading legal technology solutions to streamline processes can be time-consuming when your firm is swamped with projects. While it may be easy to put off managing your IT environment for another day, it may put your firm at risk, security and efficiency-wise. The legal and IT landscapes are unpredictable. If your project management systems, endpoint devices, or other IT solutions are not equipped to handle your firm’s operations at any point, the quality of your services may decrease.
Legal IT services offer a number of IT support solutions that can maintain your IT infrastructure and the legal-centric applications that run on it. Technology support companies that specialize in legal IT have experience working with legal professionals.
They have a foundational knowledge of your industry and its technology, allowing them to better tailor their services to your needs. At the same time, they can help you remain compliant with any regulations. This is useful for firms that deal with protected health information as they are required to be compliant with HIPAA.
Cost-effective legal IT services for your firm’s IT environment
Legal technology solutions are necessary for helping lawyers complete their work in 2023 and beyond. Without the solutions mentioned above, law firms may have a harder time crafting a solid IT environment that can streamline processes and keep sensitive information confidential.
The legal IT services at IT Gurus can help law practices increase their operational efficiency with the latest technologies, best practices, and support. Talk to our experts today for tailored solutions that will help you keep up with the ever-changing legal landscape without hurting your budget.
