Software Comparison Strategy
You can't simply pick a legal CRM randomly and hope it works. The first step is figuring out your firm's requirements. You can then compare available options to find the right fit. Here are some factors to consider:
Integration
If your firm is migrating from an older CRM or already has practice and document management software in place, make sure your new solution integrates with them.
Data migration when switching software is tedious, so make sure your legal CRM includes database migration and synchronization tools.
Look for a solution that stores data from different sources in a central repository. You can organize this data further and index it for easy access by your attorneys. Additional integrations to consider include e-signature and legal research tools.
Mobility
With work divided between the office and court, it's important to ensure remote access for your employees so they can remain productive outside of office hours. If you have employees working from home, remote accessibility is a necessity.
Customization
Legal CRM systems are purpose-built to meet the demands of the legal world. But the needs of a firm can vary by infrastructure, practice areas and support models. If your firm has niche requirements, it's important to pick software that offers customization so you can create processes that fulfill your unique needs.
Security
According to an ABA report, 25% of law firms have suffered a data breach. Data encryption and multi-factor authentication capabilities keep you safe from malicious actors.
At large firms, there's the added risk of internal cyber security threats. File activity monitoring, vulnerability assessments and automated compliance reporting are some tools you should implement to prevent internal data breaches.
User Experience
When choosing a legal CRM, user experience should be one of your top priorities. If your CRM is too difficult to use, it might be counterproductive to your goals. For example, if the built-in scheduling tools are challenging, your employees may continue to stick with older processes to schedule meetings, causing organizational chaos.
We can't overstate the importance of a simple and intuitive UI, as it reduces ramp time for your attorneys, allowing them to focus on litigation instead of trying to figure out over-complicated workflows.
Cost & Pricing Considerations
A fully loaded legal CRM is costly. But considering its productivity and security advantages, it's well worth it in the long term. Vendors offer software packages with limited features for a lower cost if your firm has fewer requirements.
The upfront cost of your legal CRM system depends on the deployment mode. For example, you'll pay a monthly subscription for cloud-based systems. In comparison, vendors demand upfront payment for on-premise software. However, the overall cost for both cloud-based and on-premise systems depends on the total number of user licenses needed.
In addition to the initial cost, added expenses involved in operating the system include:
- Data migration services
- Customizations
- After-sales support