Key benefits of cloud based software for law firms
Actionstep‘s UK regional Director, Oliver Tromp, samples some advantages of truly basing your law firm’s software in the cloud.
If you are currently evaluating practice management software for your law firm, you have likely come across the term ‘cloud based.’ Here, we define what it means for software to truly be based in the cloud, along with outlining five specific benefits of cloud technology for law firms.
What does cloud based software mean?
A true cloud based software application is accessible to users through any browser and from any location without requiring a browser plugin or local software. You might find that the term cloud-based is used loosely by various software providers – some, such as Citrix, simply host your local server for you and allow you to access it via terminal services. Others provide a hybrid cloud solution in which you still need to install Windows software. When evaluating software options, ask providers to be crystal clear about whether they are truly in the cloud, so you can understand the benefits to your business.
Advantages of cloud based legal practice management software
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Future ready technology
As new features are rolled out in cloud based systems, your firm automatically receives them, sparing the need to schedule a designated downtime and business disruption. These updates also ensure that your system is compatible with the latest versions of all the other online tools your firm uses.
If you spend a lot of time in Microsoft Office, you need a system that can stay in step with Microsoft’s cloud strategy. However, if your practice management system is not fully cloud based, it won’t stay integrated for long.
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Attracting legal talent and staff
In general, most legal professionals want access to up-to-date technology, and the flexibility of remote access. If your firm does not offer the ease of cloud-based tech, you are at a competitive disadvantage when recruiting talent.
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Cost savings
Cloud based software solutions offer a predictable and relatively low monthly cost. The upkeep cost for on-premise solutions, including an annual maintenance plan and hardware upgrades, can end up being much more expensive in the long run. Your firm may be concerned about the cost to implement cloud based software.
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Data security
With on-premise or hybrid cloud systems, you (hopefully) routinely back up your data to a nearby server. The risk is that your PC or server could be lost to theft, ransomware attacks, or natural disasters. With a fully cloud-based system, your data is automatically backed up and available from anywhere, preventing catastrophe.
Ready to move to the cloud?
This is just a sampling of the reasons that a cloud-based system could be a smart business decision for your firm. To learn more about Actionstep’s comprehensive cloud-based features, schedule time with our team today.
