Shifting your law firm’s technology systems to ‘the cloud’ may feel like a daunting task. Developing, managing, and operating your firm requires a wide variety of considerations. But don’t worry! Here are our top 5 cloud computing tips for law firms.
1. Encourage Collaboration
One of the greatest benefits of running a law firm in ‘the cloud’ is it removes the need to save files and then share them with collaborators via email or post. Take the time to encourage group case work via the cloud for greater efficiency and collaboration.
2. Be GDRP Compliant and Focus on Security
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is now in effect, so with your law firm in ‘the cloud’ you must make sure you’re meeting the rules and regulations pertaining to privacy and data security. Confirm that any software provider you’re considering is fully GDPR-compliant before committing to their service.
3. Keep your Software Flexible with API Capabilities
You should invest in software that’s ‘future proof’. With technology changing all time, you don’t want to invest in legal case management software, only to find out down the line that you’ve missed out on investing in the latest innovations in the technology. A good tip is to look for legal case management software that has a RESTful API. This means the software has an architectural style which is flexible. If your legal software has a highly flexible plugin-architecture, allowing integration with both cloud-based systems and legacy systems, it’s going to be ‘future proof’, since it can integrate fluidly with your current systems, and any upcoming systems in the future.
4. Mobility
Yes your firm can run its desktop computers ‘in the cloud’. But you should make sure you reap one of the greatest rewards of a cloud-based enterprise: accessing what you need, when you need it, from your mobile phone or tablet. If you can access documents and cases and track time from your mobile, you’re going to be running a very efficient law firm, which puts fee earning capabilities front and centre. With mobile time tracking technology, no billable moment will be lost.
5. Carry out a Security Assessment
Before you migrate your data to the cloud, determine what your security profile will be. ISO 27001 is a high standard to demand from your cloud security provider. And consider the safety, location and maintenance of the server which holds your data. Amazon Web Services are one leading data storage solution. All data flowing across the AWS global network is automatically encrypted at the physical layer before it leaves their secured facilities. And AWS supports more security standards and compliance certifications than any other offering.
With a successful, growing law firm comes the need for greater technology and more efficient operations. Whether it be case management software or document storage solutions for your law firm, Lateral’s highly flexible and cloud-based automated software can meet your precise needs. Book a demo today.