Positive Impact of Cloud Computing for Law Firm

The International Data Corporation predicted that in 2014 the cloud computing industry would reach $798M in revenues.  With such a staggering growth, it is quite confusing why using cloud computing technology is even being discussed.

The better question is, why is the legal industry still reluctant to get into cloud computing when majority of industries have already committed to it?  Despite the slow realization, there is hope, with the 10% increase in the number of law practitioners turning to cloud computing since 2013.  What is causing this turnaround?

Changing Business Environment

If you rely on the traditional perception of law firms, you would picture one that is full of steel cabinets with many people in suits talking to clients and phones ringing off the hook.  All of these are now changing with the introduction of cloud computing.

Where once it was necessary for clients to pick up the phone to speak to their lawyer, or make an appointment to schedule a conference; today, frequent and more transparent contacts can be established daily using cloud technology.  Even the handling of administrative tasks has led to reduced personnel and less reliance on paper-based documents.  Stricter security measures are likewise in place to ensure better protection for client information.

These positive changes are slowly (with emphasis on the word ‘slow’) making the legal industry realize the value of cloud computing and how it can improve their efficiency in serving the needs of their clients.

Client Appreciation

The reluctance to adopting cloud computing technology is normally seen from the lawyers’ side.  Many become anxious because of their lack of understanding of the technology as well as the apprehensions expressed by colleagues who are skeptical of the implementation.

However, for clients, the benefits and usefulness are undeniable.  Clients are becoming more appreciative of law firms with cloud capability because they gain more access to communication and information.  Cloud has made it possible for clients to be updated on the status of their cases even without directly contacting their lawyers.  The need of clients to be deeply informed is one of the driving factors why many law firms are now turning to cloud computing.

The competitive edge that law firms on cloud computing have against more traditional counterparts likewise cannot be denied.  In the aspect of billing and client invoices, transactions become clearer as well with fewer questions as to what constitutes the billable hours of the lawyer and what the client is paying for.  Some law firms have gone as far as providing other payment methods for better flexibility for its clients.  Lawyers eventually spend less time computing their billable hours and more time on answering client needs.

Increased Mobility

Perhaps one of the more attractive benefits of cloud computing that has made the law profession take note and listen is the increased mobility the technology presents.  Imagine the situation of a law firm that has multiple offices across the country.  Sometimes lawyers would be thrown around, traveling from one office to another to take care of different clients from different locations.  When the lawyer is not in the office, it was difficult to keep track or update client files.

With the introduction of cloud computing, not only lawyers can access documents and case files anytime and anywhere, they also gain the luxury of communicating or conferencing with clients as well as other lawyers on the case.  This increased mobility presents a tremendous advantage not only because it makes information widely available from virtually anywhere, but it is also applicable across a number of device platforms.

Lawyers now have the ability to access information using desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones among others.  What does this type of power mean for the legal profession?

If you are already on cloud computing or still considering to get into it, a wise choice is to choose a management free technology designed specifically for lawyers and that law profession.

Contact NexStep, cloud computing Phoenix to get the benefits of law technology innovation in document management and let you increase your productivity in law practice.