Case management software
What does case management software do?
Case management software (CMS) automates much of the document creation, filing and reporting of cases within a legal firm or department, resulting in dramatic saving of time and more efficient work practices. It allows lawyers and law practice managers to input information relating to a case once, use it to pre populate documents as they are created and then to find and retrieve information quickly when needed.
Case management software promotes and enhances collaborative working practice by giving all necessary parties secure access to relevant information which is stored in one place. Furthermore, some CMS allow information to be shared both within the office and remotely over a secure link, providing continuity to home workers and support for flexible working practices.
Most importantly, case management solutions should interface with other office software such as Microsoft word, excel and office suites, to make integration of the new system as easy as possible for law professionals and organisations to implement. Email is a significant feature of modern legal practices, with instructions often sent electronically. The ability to integrate email communication into a single case file along with documents, letters, faxes etc. can be a significant benefit when searching for information or providing cover for absent members of staff.
With advances in scanning equipment, it is now possible to store paper and electronic documents within case management systems, so literally every document relating to a case is in one place. Some case management software incorporates scanning facilities within the system. Others allow inter-operation with other corporate scanning equipment. A few case management software providers cater for both options. Storing all of this information electronically is a big boost for the reduction in paper and a move toward a paperless office.
Key dates are managed using a calendar system and billing and time recording are monitored. Billing software is sometimes included within the case management system or alternatively, a standalone, existing accounts package may be linked to it.
Lawyers’ methods of working through cases are often incorporated into the workflow management modules of case management software, ensuring that relevant legal professionals can track the stage each case has reached. A number of workflow modules may be incorporated as standard to the case management system, with some suppliers providing bespoke workflows to meet the specific needs of a particular legal team or function.
Reporting tools allow managers to assess progress and forward plan. Most case management software systems provide standard report templates and some CMS suppliers provide the option of configurable reports to suit each organisation. With some case management systems, it is also possible to export reports to Excel for further customisation if necessary.
Business continuity planning can also be aided by a CMS. With all information stored in one place, lawyers are able to remotely access the system and continue working even if they are out of the office. It is also much easier to move office locations without the need to move boxes and boxes of paper.
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Save time currently spent producing documents, searching for documents and arranging for sharing of documents between relevant parties.
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Save costs associated with all of the above.
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Standardise all your case management processes easily.
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Concentrate on the value added services of your fee earners and practice managers and create more income for your department or firm.
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But will my organisation actually receive these benefits? Click to view how to realise the benefits of a
case management software package by implementing it correctly for your organisation.