Switching Legal Software

Should your next solution be on-premise, or on the Cloud?

Are the systems and software you use still the most effective solution for your firm? Remaining with outdated technology that causes redundancies, time-draining ‘workarounds’, and other inefficiencies can sharply cut your firm’s productivity. Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that law firms who do not reassess their IT solutions every few years may be losing out on the benefits the latest advances have to offer. If it has been a while since your technology has been evaluated, now is the perfect time. 

With software that is too old, data corruption becomes a higher risk every day. What’s more, the cost to maintain these potentially compromised systems are high and not always worth the money. Outdated technology may also be unable to support new ways of working; including remote working and fully-digital firms. These matters of data integrity, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility should be examined as you consider your next software solutions.

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Data Integrity & Security

The safety and security of important information should be one of the top concerns for any law firm. Cloud or on-premise, it is essential that a firm has peace of mind that their data is properly safeguarded. Top-notch security is possible on both solutions; but in general Cloud solutions make airtight data protection easier to maintain, less onerous, and far more within reach for all firms.

Cloud solutions take the pressure off law firms to be IT security specialists so they can focus on practicing law.

Using on-premise servers to store crucial data gives law firms more control and access to their data, but also potentially provides more opportunities for cybercriminals to bypass your firm’s security if the server is not properly cared for. A law firm with an on-premise solution must make sure their server is constantly monitored, maintained, and rigorously tested by a network administrator who specializes in information security. Otherwise, on-premise servers become vulnerable to tampering and law firms run the risk of their sensitive information being corrupted or captured. Ultimately, it is quite a task to make sure an on-premise server gets the daily attention that it needs, and the effort is not reasonable in many circumstances. 

Cloud vendors can provide the security and protection law firms need without the extended effort on-premise operations require. Cloud systems generally have teams of dedicated specialists and developers who are trained to keep your data and their servers safe, up-to-date, and operational. This means less chance for data corruption and overall higher data integrity. Even though on the surface, Cloud systems may appear to have a larger target on their backs due to the quantity of data they handle, these systems are able to pay for more extensive and comprehensive features than most law firms can to mitigate this risk. 

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Cost Comparison

Ensuring that your firm is running smoothly on a day-to-day basis by utilizing the right tools can make a noticeable impact on your firm’s bottom line. On-premise solutions cost more to start-up, and need expensive, ongoing IT maintenance. Consistently upgrading hardware to keep your system secure and running efficiently is also a costly expenditure.

Cloud-based software often spreads out licensing fees into periodic payments, which reduces your initial investment and makes costs over time more predictable. Cloud-based solutions typically do not require additional hardware investments such as new server infrastructure, either. This offers a great opportunity to cut back your firm’s IT costs (especially if your current on-premise server is old). 

Another key thing to consider is the industry trend toward Cloud-based technology. Product development in the legal space has been putting its focus on Cloud services; which means that this technology only stands to improve over time; with new and important breakthroughs reaching Cloud users first. This will drive adoption of the Cloud even more; meanwhile, on-premise software will fall behind, become less supported and ultimately more costly to maintain, fix, and replace.

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Flexibility & Functionality

Law firms must consider many functional aspects when deciding between Cloud and on-premise solutions. As with any software option, a law firm must make sure that the system they switch to has all the essential features that they desire and need to run their practice.

On-premise products have had years to build a comprehensive feature set to meet the needs of the law firms they serve. However, Cloud-based solutions are not far behind.

Cloud-based products are quickly catching up to the extensive feature list of on-premise solutions and are on-track to keep growing afterward. More significantly, the Cloud offers connectivity and accessibility features that are out of reach for most on-premise solutions. Cloud-based servers allow law firms to practice law as long as they have internet connection, so those looking for mobile solutions; work-from-home or virtual practice capabilities; or the potential to integrate easily with other modern software will be empowered by the Cloud. 

The implementation of a new solution, be it on-premise or Cloud, can be a daunting prospect and is sometimes why firms delay reviewing their technology. Traditionally, on-premise systems have been installed individually; slowly being added over time as software is purchased and started-up. Cloud systems typically have a faster installation time and can take place simultaneously. This reduces the stress placed on the law firm for the duration of the transition.   

Final Thoughts

Within the legal industry, all roads are pointing to Cloud-based solutions. When your firm harnesses the use of the Cloud secure access to your data from anywhere is commonplace. Contactless billing and invoicing becomes a standard feature. Clients can pay bills at the click of a button and getting reporting and insights about your operations becomes a five-minute task. Ultimately, moving to the Cloud is changing law firms’ lives, and in a world that is so uncertain, who doesn’t want that?