During the average day, you could be using around 5 unique software tools to help your clients. A popular law software on the market is ProLaw, which you might currently be using with on-premise servers. But as more law firms move to the cloud, you might wonder if it’s the right choice for you.
If you’re unsure about using law firm software in the cloud, this blog should help you decide.
Should Your Law Firm Software Be in the Cloud? 4 Main Benefits to Cloud Hosting
Before getting to the fine details, let’s talk about why so many law firms are using software in the cloud. What’s in it for you if you migrate your data?
1. Scalability: When you use cloud-hosted software, you can easily adjust the amount of resources used based on your workload. This means that if you experience a surge in business, you won’t have to worry about finding additional servers or storage space to accommodate the higher demand.
2. Reliability: Cloud hosting offers reliable uptime and performance to ensure that your software is always available for use. This helps you avoid costly downtime due to hardware failures and makes sure that your law firm can always access the data it needs.
3. Security: Cloud providers have invested heavily in security measures such as multi-factor authentication and encryption. This helps protect your data from malicious intrusions as well as accidental damage or loss.
4. Potential Cost Savings: Cloud-hosted software eliminates the need for expensive hardware replacement and maintenance fees while providing greater productivity due to speed, security, and access from anywhere there is internet, helping you save money in the long run.
So is cloud hosting the right choice for you? Let’s look at some commonly asked questions about law firm software in the cloud:
1. How to Move Your Data and Get Familiar With Software in the Cloud
Anytime you implement a new tool, it can feel daunting. You have to make sure employees and clients have access to the software they need and understand how to use it.
Thankfully, when experts are in charge, transferring data from on-premise servers to the cloud isn’t as complicated as many make it out to be. This is done in the “background” prior to using the cloud and doesn’t involve the firm for the most part. The more experience your migration team has with law firm migrations, especially ProLaw migrations, the better.
They’ll be able to handle the setup process and help ensure that data is encrypted and securely transferred. Plus, they can provide training sessions with your staff and clients to make sure everyone understands how to use the new software.
2. What Are the Requirements for ProLaw In the Cloud?
It’s important to make sure you have the right system requirements for your cloud implementation. ProLaw is a powerful software that requires certain hardware and software prerequisites to ensure optimal performance.
We can talk about specifics, for instance, requirements include a minimum of 4GB RAM and 20GB hard drive space, as well as an internet connection with at least 2Mbps upload and download speeds, but more importantly, you need to know that you have the correct amount of servers, storage, and security to run your ProLaw software.
Ask questions about flexibility. Is there a “one size fits all” configuration at the provider, or are they able to customize your environment based on your workflow? Are you able to add other software commonly used to your firm’s cloud instance so you can work seamlessly just as you do when the software is on premise? Is the security you require available to you, including multi-factor authentication?
The hardware requirements are simply the foundation of what is required for a successful ProLaw cloud migration.
3. Can You Configure the Cloud So That Users Only See What Is Relevant to Them?
Yes! One of the great features of using ProLaw in the cloud is that you can customize user access. This allows you to restrict certain areas so that users only see what’s relevant to them.
For example, if you have multiple teams working on different projects, you can configure the cloud so that each team only sees its project information and nothing else. This helps streamline the workflow and makes it easier for your team to collaborate without worrying about information getting into the wrong hands.
4. How Is Data from ProLaw Protected in the Cloud?
When you move your data to the cloud, it’s important to make sure that all your information is protected. Your provider should be using industry-standard encryption and multi-factor authentication methods to ensure that data is never compromised.
Some providers offer additional security measures such as file integrity monitoring and network analytics to help detect and prevent suspicious activity. This helps protect your data from malicious intrusions as well as accidental damage or loss.
5. Does It Matter Whether My Legal Software Is in the Cloud or Not?
This will depend on your firm and its needs. Generally, cloud hosting offers more scalability, reliability, security, and convenience than on-premise solutions. This makes it a great choice for firms that need to access data from multiple locations or manage large amounts of clients. So if you have multiple offices, are going into the courtroom, or to a client and need to access client files, the cloud has you covered.
Whether you decide to use law firm software in the cloud or not, the important thing is to find a system that works best for your needs. Consider all of the features and costs and don’t hesitate to ask questions so you can make an informed decision before committing to anything.
6. How Does the Cloud Allow You to Be Responsive to Client Needs?
Using cloud-hosted software gives you the ability to access data from any device, anytime. This makes it easy for your team to stay connected even when working remotely and be more responsive to client needs.
With a cloud-based system, you have secure access to documents that you need, answer questions quickly and efficiently, and collaborate on projects in real time. This helps you stay on top of projects and ensure that your clients always have the information they need when they need it.
7. Does Putting Data in the Cloud Go Against Any Ethical Considerations?
No. In fact, many legal organizations are now turning to the cloud for secure data storage because it makes it easier to ensure that confidential client information is kept safe.
Cloud hosting providers use advanced security tools to protect your data from unauthorized access or malicious activities. Additionally, they have strict protocols in place to make sure that all customer information is securely stored and regularly backed up. So, there’s no need to worry about any ethical violations when using cloud-hosted software.
Ultimately, the decision to use ProLaw in the cloud or not will depend on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a secure and reliable solution that can help you save time while staying connected with clients, then the cloud is for you.
Make a Safe Move to the Cloud With Forum Info-Tech and FIT LevelCloud
For our law firm clients, we’ve designed a unique private cloud hosting solution that offers the highest level of security and scalability. Our LevelCloud hosting platform is built on a secure, scalable architecture that’s compliant with industry standards.
With Forum Info-Tech and LevelCloud, you can trust that your data will be kept safe at all times while benefiting from powerful features such as automated backups, round-the-clock monitoring, and 24/7 customer support.
So make the safe move to the cloud today and get ready for a new level of reliability, security, and scalability. Schedule a consultation to learn more!
