Solo lawyers and small law firms are looking for new ways to stay competitive, not only with each other but with the larger firms. Those that have not yet joined the cloud and looked into the services it has to offer are falling behind. New cloud applications are coming out at dizzying speeds, and the high cost of these new applications fall on the larger firms. Cloud solutions for small businesses are on the rise; all you have to do is find the right provider to help you keep up with the competition.

Finding the Right Provider

All providers are not created equal. Those in the legal profession are bound by certain laws and morals other companies are not bound to. Not all providers are aware of this. It is possible to find a provider that claims they can meet your needs, but in reality, they cannot fulfill your obligations. This is not necessarily a lie, but they may not understand exactly what is required in your state and your profession.

Look for a provider that not only knows exactly what you need, but one that can provide proof of other law firms they have worked with. Ideally, look for a provider that has worked with law firms of your size or larger. The provider can then explain to you what they are doing for other firms, and you can determine if there is a larger need for your business.

To learn more about partnering with a managed service provider and the benefits for your law firm,  download the white paper: Managed IT Services For Small Businesses

Cloud Services for Small Businesses

Cloud services are more than storing your data in the cloud. You need to make sure the provider stores the data in your state. The laws of the state will determine if it is legal for other states to store the filings, billings and court records in another state. You also need to get information about extra services the provider has to offer. Here are some of the more popular services available on the cloud:

• Invoicing – You can bill hourly or with a flat fee from anywhere you can make a connection to your server. This means if you have to see multiple clients, then you can bill them directly after the meeting right from your tablet, laptop, or phone.
• Electronic Signatures – Many offices have this already; electronic signatures make it possible for you and your clients to sign legal documents via the web.
• Client Management – There are several pieces of software available that can help to reduce the amount of time it takes to look up clients and/or files. Calendaring, phone messaging, Skype, and many other features can be offered with this tool. The prices range dramatically depending on the number of users and features you need. The main advantage of this feature is the ability to access all this information through a mobile device from anywhere you can receive an Internet connection.
• Client Portals – A portal is a secure web space that is accessible to your clients. The portal allows clients to log in, communicate, view and download documents, and collaborate with the legal team. Some client portals may include a video link between you and your client. This allows the client to have billable meetings with you or your paralegal without having to come into the office. It makes scheduling easier and increases the efficient use of time.
• Encryption Services – You may already have some form of encryption on your servers, and maybe your cloud provider offers a second layer. However, there are applications that specialize in encryption services. This is better than buying a suite, and encryption is just one of their many features. Your cloud provider can offer the encryption services you need according to your demand for security.

The Small Business Advantage

Large firms invest a lot of money in the cloud. Cloud solutions for small businesses are not something software developers plan for; instead, they create large applications for larger firms and try to sell parts of their bundles to the smaller firms. A good cloud provider that specializes in law firms will have a workaround for this.

The cloud provider can purchase licenses at a bulk rate for the complete versions of these big-firm applications. Then they can pass down the savings to smaller firms. This helps smaller firms to keep up with the larger firms; partnering with a cloud services provider makes it possible for even solo lawyers and the smallest law firms to offer a range of services over the Internet.

Take advantage of cloud solutions from a provider who specializes in the legal profession. Talk to them and make sure they not only meet all your needs but that they are willing to put everything in writing. As a lawyer, you are familiar with the importance of a contract, and protecting your firm is no exception. Get a free assessment today and see how TOSS can help you keep up with the competition.