What document management options do law firms have?
Document management is meant to help you organize your case management, including everything from files, to emails to task tracking. These types of programs are key in converting to a paperless office.
There’s a large array of legal technology options for law firms. Depending on your sizes and needs, certain ones will make more sense – and be more effective – for your firm.
When evaluating either of these options and their available providers, law firms should keep in mind[1]:
- Scalability and features
- Security
- Disaster recovery
- Usability
Stand-alone document management programs
Depending on how large a firm is, if they are document-intensive, then they may require a stand-alone document management tool. These tools can restrict access to certain users, allow document collaboration and sharing and in some instances the formation of searchable, indexed PDFs through the use of the conversion of scanned documents[2].
Combined document management/practice management programs
For most solo and small firms, they don’t have such document-intensive requirements and a practice management program can cover more than their needs. Many practice management programs have document management built into their systems. As part of document management, these programs let you store and tie documents to client matters, let you edit documents and share them through secure client portals.
With practice management programs come additional features, including case and matter management, time tracking and billing, document assembly and in some instances accounting.
Deciding which of these programs is right for your firm may require some research into needs. Lay out what would be most helpful for your firm, how much volume you anticipate when it comes to documents and from there you can have a better idea of which option makes the most sense.
References
1. Advice for Choosing a Small Business Document Management System
2. Here’s The Legal Lowdown on Document Management Software