How a Virtual Law Office Helps Law Firms
A virtual law office is an on-line practice & case management software application with an integrated client portal that uses the latest web technologies and software solutions to deliver services to the public over the Internet. A virtual law office provides an attorney/paralegal access to the back office software used to run daily business operations, handle other business transactions related to the delivery of the legal services, and effectively collaborate with the firm’s clients on the matters, exchange documents and information via a secure client portal within a digitally secure on-line environment with an end-to-end encryption.
As an effective solution for both legal professionals and consumers due of its convenience and affordability, a virtual law office can help law firms in the following:
1. Data Consolidation, Conformity and Accuracy
One of the most important goals that any law office must achieve is to have a centralized repository of records, such as clients and matters information, documents and opposition information, etc., so that everyone in the firm has access to the same records, especially if there is more than one individual working in the same office and on the same matter. When any record is updated, it gets updated everywhere, and everyone can see those updates. It helps to avoid risks for data-entry mistakes; it is in conformity with the accepted and used standards and formats, and it should be accurate based on the entries made by the individual that updates the records last. The Attorney’s Back Office virtual law office application, for example, does these tasks in a programmatic manner: it automatically tracks and displays the date, time, and name of the user that has made those changes last. The whole process of record creation, editing, and deletion is automated, which achieves the main goal – data is concentrated and consolidated in the central repository location, organized by specific modules, such as Client Accounts, Contacts or Matters, Documents, etc., and is accessible by everyone working in the office based on their access rights and privileges; it is accurate and conforms to the accepted standards.
2. Accurate Accounting and Billing
The main advantages of a computerized accounting system are generating fast and accurate invoices, purchase orders, printing statements and payroll documents. All is done on time and automatically, improves the cash flow, maintains better client relations, and contributes to less work lost or written off. In the Attorney’s Back Office application, the accounting records are automatically updated. With the integrated time control and billing modules, it eliminates the need to search through calendar appointments or notes to try to reconstruct time spent with a client. Firm’s clients receive accurate and timely invoices via the secure client portal. The data is also instantly available to the virtual law office’s different users in different locations at the same time. The software helps reduce the staff's time processing accounts and audit expenses making sure the records are up-to-date and accurate. The major advantages of having comprehensive accounting and billing integrated into the application are that they allow to effectively manage clients’ payments, are cost effective, and save money in the long run.
3. Efficient Time Tracking
Time tracking modules ease the process of tracking the firm’s staff work and time and greatly contribute to the improvement of the company’s business functions as a whole. In the Attorney’s Back Office, the module usually comes in conjunction with reporting, accounting and billing modules, or can operate as a stand-alone. In the ABO’s virtual law office, for example, the time control modules are capable of not only tracking time with a real-time clock, but also tracking time against clients, matters, services, tasks, and deadlines; it can add notes and due dates, generate reports and creates invoices, manage client and matter information, and perform other essential functions to the firm and practice.
With all records organized, accessible, and manageable in one easy-to-access place, there is less time spent filing, hiring, paying someone else to file, or trying to figure out where information is. There is no longer a need to spend time switching between programs, spreadsheets, e-mail applications, or moving data and information from one program to another. It leaves more time to concentrate on the core functions of the business, clients, and matters. Ultimately, the Attorney’s Back Office virtual law office application, on-line practice & case management software application with an integrated client portal, is all about streamlining how you do business, saving you time, money, and helping improve your business's efficiency.
For more information on the features and functions of the On-line Practice & Case Management Software Application visit our site @ www.attorneysbackoffice.com
