If your law firm still used outdated technology and unreliable IT solutions, then you need to make a change. Using outsourced IT services or a data recovery company is convenient as well as crucial to maintaining your ethical integrity.
Here are a few reasons your IT infrastructure is so important.
Hackers love law firms.
The numbers show that law firms can be an easy target. More than one in five firms have been hacked. Moreover, hackers’ tools advance quickly, making your firm more vulnerable by the day.
Compromising your clients’ data puts your entire firm at risk.
The state of Arkansas can find your practice, and your clients can sue you.
Tech-fluent clients expect more from you.
Two of the top three demands clients have of lawyers is that they are “responsive” and that communication is “frictionless.” They expect you to be at their level in terms of access and technology.
Poor access to resources translates to lost cases.
Legal IT solutions increase access to resources and communication, multiplying the power of legal teams. If you are not connected, then you will be moving slowly and in the dark.
Steps to evolve your practice with IT services
Step 1: Outsource to a legal IT specialist.
Outsourced IT services are the next step in technological solutions for lawyers. By rendering an in-house IT department unnecessary, you can cut costs while maintaining the same level of service and dedication.
However, not just any IT support specialist will do. Your firm needs a managed IT services firm that specializes in legal IT solutions. A legal specialist will make sure your data is stored in a way that guarantees your clients’ confidentiality. They will also come equipped with software and hardware solutions tailored to the legal sector.
Before choosing a legal IT consultant, ask that they provide certifications and references.
Step 2: Secure your data.
Get your data away from malware and unauthorized hands by storing it in the cloud. Your data recovery company will guard your files 24/7, and updates will be made as soon as they are released. You will enjoy the most up-to-date security at all times without having to do a thing. Moreover, because your data is virtual, your team will have access to it from anywhere on the globe.
Do not worry about losing your data. Your information will be backed up and sourced from multiple locations around the country. This means your data will always be retrievable no matter what happens.
Step 3: Update your communications.
Cutting-edge IT services like VOIP and hardware virtualization will turn your team into a location-independent powerhouse. You will be able to access your entire IT infrastructure from anywhere as if you were at your office. You will also be able to video conference, share files, annotate, file paperwork, and more in just seconds.
These services will streamline all of your team’s activities, but they have big implications for client relations as well. As previously mentioned, clients expect you to communicate with them on their level. That means they expect virtual communications, digital payment portals, and encrypted messaging that guarantees their security. Moreover, since 62% of new clients come from referrals, you need to keep your clients happy.
Step 4: Modernize your internal processes.
Many IT services will be handled behind the scenes, meaning you will not have to lift a finger to enjoy the many benefits. Others will require you to learn new skills to stay relevant.
First, modernizing means implementing new legal software. Your legal IT support specialist will help you choose appropriate legal software and will take charge of training you and your staff, but you will need to be open to new ways of doing things. It also means using new communication techniques. You need to learn how to use new apps, share files virtually, and connect safely to virtual communication channels.
Modernizing also lets you learn to use new hardware. Updating your hardware is easy if your managed IT services company offers hardware as a service (HaaS). You will not need to make a big investment, and new hardware such as tablets or laptops will come fully loaded and with proper training from your legal IT consultant.
Lastly, modernizing means training your staff on security measures. One thing that your IT consultant cannot do is keep your information free from human error on your end. They can, however, educate you on how to prevent it. You will need to apply the best cloud security practices, and be vigilant when it comes to keeping your devices secure and your passwords strong.
Step 5: Customize your IT solutions.
A great outsourced IT services company will build custom IT solutions for your law firm that no other firm has access to.
Once you have covered steps one through four, it is time to maximize your potential, and grow your competitive edge with services that cater to your precise strengths and weaknesses as a firm. Maybe you need an automated filing system for new claims? Maybe you want to build an online resource portal for past clients? Or maybe you need a bot to automate documents and save you hours of pencil pushing? You can expect this and more from your legal IT services specialist.
For more information
Show your clients you can protect your data and theirs. For more information about modernizing your firm, contact Scale Technology today at (501) 213-1732 to speak with an IT professional.
