![]() ![]() So it’s important to ensure that you fully understand the features available.įor example, some law practice management software programs, such as M圜ase and Smokeball, include built-in passive time-tracking capabilities. ![]() Some are will include features that others will not, but depending on your firm’s needs, the additional features may not be a must-have. Of course, the features will vary from one program to the next, so make sure to test drive each law practice management program’s time-tracking features before committing to it. Additionally, the time-tracking function is often built into the price you already pay to use the software suite. One benefit to this approach is that the billable time that you enter is automatically associated with the correct matter, making it a simple task to create and edit an invoice and then send it off to your client with the click of a button. Most of these products also offer a mobile app that includes a timer and the ability to track and enter time from any internet-enabled device. Using this software, time can typically be tracked and entered from any location using a laptop or desktop computer. ![]() The first option is to take advantage of the time-tracking features built into law practice management software like Smokeball, M圜ase or Clio, or full-fledged legal billing software programs such as Timesolv Legal, Time59 or Bill4Time. With that in mind, here are a few of the more notable time-tracking software tools to consider. This includes ensuring that you understand how the data will be handled by that company where the servers on which the data will be stored are located who will have access to the data and how and when it will be backed up, among other things. Also of note is that whenever you entrust your law firm’s data to a third party-as you do when you use cloud-based time-tracking software-you have an ethical obligation to thoroughly vet the technology provider that will be hosting and storing your data. In this article, only cloud-based time-tracking tools will be covered cloud-based legal billing and payment processing tools were covered in earlier columns this year. This will make it possible for time to be tracked and entered contemporaneously, thus ensuring that your firm captures-and charges for-all of its billable time. No matter which option you choose, lawyers in your firm will be able to enter time no matter where they are using a computer or mobile device. Depending on your firm’s needs, there are a host of options available ranging from robust law practice management or legal billing software with built-in time-tracking features to stand-alone time-tracking software. The good news is that many cloud-based time-tracking software tools have been around for nearly a decade and are well-tested. Like it or not, if your firm wants to ensure that all time is captured and billed-even when employees are working remotely-your best option is to upgrade to a more streamlined and centralized cloud-based time-tracking system. Trying to jury rig a paper-based system to capture billable time is not only ineffective practice, it actually ends up wasting valuable time that could be better spent on billable activities. Because many firms have either a fully or partially remote workforce, an antiquated time-tracking system simply doesn’t work when team members are located in different locations. ![]() This is even more important now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic, since cash flow is less predictable due to the impact of COVID-19.īefore the pandemic, the old school method of tracking time using a pen and paper timesheets would sometimes suffice, but no longer. After all, many lawyers still charge by the billable hour, and you won’t get paid for billable time if you fail to track it. For most lawyers, capturing all of your billable time is a top priority. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |