Elevating Your Law Practice with Cloud Computing

Everyday acceptance of cloud computing technology is growing, and the scenario is no different for law firms.  Many are slowly beginning to understand the distinct advantages that the technology presents.

Some have discovered how many challenges can be overcome by using cloud computing.  The turning point is the realization of the many uses of cloud computing in their law office.

Cloud Advantages

There are many services that can be delivered by cloud computing that will create advantages for various law offices.  Many by now have heard of the cheap cost of deployment as well as cut down in maintenance and personnel expenses that result in significant savings.  Aside from these, there are also other advantages like:

• Flexibility –some cloud services are sold on demand, which means that law offices have the option of paying only for services that they need in the same manner that they can add-on other services as they need to do so.

• Security and Stability – these are two critical advantages that every law office can benefit from. However, it should be pointed out that these advantages can only be delivered by reputable cloud providers through the use of updated and advanced security protocols.  With the use of disaster recovery measures, stability is assured without disrupting normal workflow.

• Confidentiality and Competence – with cloud computing law offices are better equipped to safeguard the confidentiality of the information of their clients because they are not stored on-site. This means that there is little problem complying with the ethical rules required from attorneys and law offices.  As far as competence goes, the increased efficiency delivered by cloud-based solutions will only contribute to the ability of the law office to appropriately respond to the needs of its clients.

• Communication with Client – unlike before where clients have to call for an appointment or physically go to the law office, cloud computing offers mobility and flexibility in communicating with clients. Communication in fact can take on many forms like email, online video conference, chat, and many others.  This means that physical location is no longer an issue and constant communication with clients can be established any time.

• Continuous Data Access – for many law offices, this may be one of the most desirable advantages of cloud computing. No longer will attorneys have to be confined within the walls of the firm or cramped in the conference room, to collaborate and discuss case files.  Anything and almost everything can be done virtually because all the files are available online.  This means that as long as they have a device that can access the Internet and have a respectable Internet connection, attorneys can search, download, edit, share, annotate, or even file documents as they see fit.

• Data Safety – all documents and files of the office also remain safe not only because they are not stored on-site, but also because cloud providers institute measures that will help preserve the integrity of data even when the system crashes. Reputable cloud providers have a disaster recovery plan in place that includes the backing up of all data in a second (or even third) cloud server physically located in another data center.  This guarantees that law offices will be able to retrieve all their files even if there is a natural or manmade disaster.

• Ability to Change Providers – most cloud providers will give clients the luxury of changing providers if they are not satisfied with the delivery of services. This means that not only will the technological aspect of cloud computing remain satisfactory, but also the customer relationship management.  This translates to getting the full value of what you pay for.

• Data Ownership – by making sure that there are no obscure clauses in the contract, there is no threat or question when it comes to the ownership of the stored data. This means that law offices do not have to worry that they will lose ownership of the data even when it is not stored in their offices.  Reputable cloud providers will guarantee data ownership to their clients regardless of the physical location of the servers.

In a gist, these are the most appealing advantages that cloud computing can deliver.  There is no doubt that law offices will find good use for cloud computing in their work processes.  If you want to take it a step further, Contact NexStep to get the benefits of management free technology in cloud computing to elevate your law practice more.