Changing your tech platforms?
Here is what you need to know.
The New Zealand legal technology landscape is changing faster than ever with more innovation becoming available by the day. This is great news for the industry, but what solutions fit your firm, which ones make a difference and which ones should you steer clear of.
.Here are the 5 top tips for any firm looking at new technology for your firm:
1. Follow a regimented process when deciding on new platforms
It is very important to take the emotion out of decision making although this is not always easy. If you follow a step by step process, you will make the right decision for your firm and your team. The 3 steps to procurement and what percentage of time you should spend on each are as follows:
- 45% - Investigation and elimination process
- 10% - Choosing the correct platform
- 45% - Implementation, embedding and training
Click here for questions you should ask your team and the questions you should ask your potential supplier,
2. Complete a Data Cleanse
A data cleanse removes duplicate, aged and unwanted data out of your system to free up space and speed up your processing time. The removed data can be stored on a seperate device or drive so you can access it if you need to. Before changing any of your software, clean up as much of your data as you can. This will pay off in the long run.
3. Tidy up your current work codes.
Most of the firms who have implemented Practice Intelligence are on a journey to tidy up their work codes including reducing or eliminating their "other" codes. This certainly helps with AML requirements. Other firms are wanting to develop more non chargeable codes for senior solicitors and partners so they can record activities that relate to business development, networking, marketing, mentoring and matter management. It is interesting to see what a difference this project makes to reporting, performance and staff reviews.
4. Start your feature wish list
If you are looking to change any of the platforms you use, start your wish list of what you need your new platform to do, what you like about your existing platform, what features you can give up, and what you would like it to do that your current system doesn't. Make sure you engage with your team as they may have used another platform that they really liked. Having this list when looking at a new platform will make your decision making much easier.
5 - When making a decision, take your time!
Unless you are desperate to build out your automation, workflows or precedents, or your server urgently needs replacing, there is not hurry to change so take your time. If you do need to change then do your homework, follow a process, hire an external change expert and don't PANIC!
Changing systems doesn't need to be a nightmare. Plan, plan and plan again.
If you aren't looking at changing systems, our team can also help you with the following projects.
🔲 Find an IT provider who specialises in the Legal sector
🔲 Customised reporting
🔲 Data Cleansing
🔲 Technology Health and Security Audit
🔲 Set up Practice Intelligence
Kind Regards,
Sam Jones - IT Simply
Leaders in legal technology services
029 2004554
