The legal software market is expected to grow to $1.2 billion by 2024. This means that there’s a wide range of legal software solutions for law companies to choose from – and making the right choice can make a real difference on the firm’s end-of-day take home.
Despite the evolution of law firm IT software, it may not have crossed your mind that you need no longer need a server. After all, much of your time goes into practicing law – how much does hardware matter? The fact is, maintaining servers are one of the reasons law firms lose money – and one of the critical areas of efficiency in an increasingly competitive market for those who nail it.
Why You Should Get Rid of Your Server (or never purchase one in the first place)
Technology is evolving, and there’s now an explosion in the availability of more reliable options. Cloud services have become the best alternative to on-premises and cloud servers that are otherwise becoming redundant.
Cloud-based alternatives offer the same user options like servers. These include:
● Sharing files on a network drive (NetDocuments, iManage, Box)
● On-Premise Accounting software like PCLaw (Soluno, QuickBooks Online, Cosmolex)
● On-Premise Practice Management Software like Amicus Attorney or TimeMatters (Clio, Centerbase)
● Running email servers (Microsoft 365 or Google Suite)
All Servers are redundant whether they are on-premise or in the cloud.
Once you have moved to all cloud-based software, you have eliminated the need to have a server, whether it’s in your office or hosted in a data center. Don’t feel pressured to rent a private cloud when you have already replaced all of its functions.
Signs It’s Time to Retire that Server
Are you still not sure if you should ditch your law firm IT server and upgrade to a cloud-based solution? Here are the sure telltale signs.
1. Your Software Lacks Automatic Updates with New Features
Does your current software issues updates based on feedback from two years ago? Are there bugs and glitches in the software that wreak havoc on your workflow?
With a cloud-based system, it would be easy for the provider to fix these errors and roll out new features regularly.
2. You have multiple offices
If you have recently acquired another firm in a different location, legal cloud-based software will allow everyone to work like they are in the same building. This is a cheaper alternative to spending $$$ to use a terminal server or Citrix environment.
3. Remote Access is difficult
Sitting on your couch should be no different than sitting in your office. If you have to use VPNs and remote desktop with a subpar experience its time to move to the cloud.
4. You are starting a brand new firm
No excuse to be purchasing a server if you are starting a brand new firm. You don’t have any legacy software holding you back.
5. You are paying a lot of money for backups that might work
Keeping everything on a server means you are responsible for backing it up. You also need to have a spare server ready in case your current one dies. Instead of paying all that money to maintain an antiquated setup, you can save money and reduce downtime by ditching the server.
Take Away
It’s time for law firms to consider whether having a server is worth the trouble and risk. The alternative is to switch to a more reliable cloud-based solution. Cloud-based solutions are continually evolving to help law firms manage their practices safely and effectively – modern legal firms need to move to the cloud, much as their compatriots.