Eclipse launches Proclaim BI – a new dashboard to visualise business intelligence in real time

Eclipse Legal Systems, the Law Society Endorsed legal software provider, has announced the launch of Proclaim BI – a business intelligence dashboard integrated within Proclaim case and practice management.

Proclaim BI has been designed to help law firms know their data and enable them to make more informed business decisions, allowing users to clearly visualise their key business information and access data insight and graphical analysis in real time.

Proclaim BI includes dashboards to cater for both case-related information and financial and accounting metrics with the information displayed being unique to the user’s profile.

Data can be aggregated with that from non-Proclaim sources if users wish, and can exported for further analysis if required into 3rd party formats.  Exports can be scheduled to run and distributed automatically at pre-set times.

Mick Thompson, Technical Director at Eclipse, Comments:

“Law firms are under increasing pressure to operate efficient, profitable business models alongside delivering excellent legal services and client care. Our latest innovation – Proclaim BI – gives firms accurate, live business information which is essential when making informed decisions.”

“Proclaim BI boasts a crisp and accessible interface that clearly displays configurable information, through the use of charts, graphs and tables. It’s never been easier to see where your practice is thriving, and where there are areas for improvement.”

Improve fee earner efficiency – make it easier to work from anywhere

Law firms throughout the UK are figuring out how they can become more efficient. Whether that’s through focusing on new markets, implementing new technologies, or other solutions they might have.

The most important thing for them is to get their fee earners working more efficiently. But fee earners are restricted to what they can do by the legal practice they work for – it’s up to the employer to provide their employees with a working environment that enables greater efficiency.

Here at Eclipse, we believe the solution lies within your case management system. A good solution will provide fee earners with the freedom to be more productive than they ever have been – but only if used right. So here’s what to do.

Maximise accessibility

One of the key ways in which you can help fee earners achieve their goals of greater efficiency is by increasing accessibility to their tools. And the most important tool they have is their Case Management solution.

Having it installed on the computers in the office, or in the cloud, is one thing. But fee earners often have to be out of the office visiting clients. So they need to be able to access the details of all their case files remotely and conveniently, be that in the back of a taxi, in a lift, or while dashing between meetings. Time that would have otherwise been lost can be spent productively.

Ensure security

One concern individuals may have about a remote version of a case management system – whether they’re a fee earner, client, or partner at the firm – is that its availability outside of the office makes it less safe, and more susceptible to malicious attacks.

These are fair concerns, and so it’s imperative that any solution that increases accessibility also takes into account security. The fact is, smartphones are just as, if not more secure than any other method – as they usually require a fingerprint scan to access the device itself.

Paper documents can get lost easily, and it’s not uncommon for a laptop to get left behind in a client’s office, or on the back seat of a taxi. This can happen to smartphones too, but their more secure nature – the aforementioned fingerprint or facial scan – makes this less dangerous.

No new product or feature that can access sensitive data should be launched before passing stringent data security tests. Protecting the data contained within case management systems should be of the utmost importance to legal software suppliers – and it is to us.

Proclaim Go

Which brings us to Proclaim Go – a new secure environment which increases the accessibility of the Proclaim case management solution.

Proclaim Go is a mobile and tablet friendly application powered by Proclaim.

It allows fee earners to access case history details (including documents and previous correspondence) while away from their PC or laptop. All they need is an internet connection, and login details to their own personal Proclaim Go portal.

With Proclaim Go, users can record meetings and update information on their cases, such as logging phone calls, creating case notes (using their smartphone’s existing digital dictation functionality), recording time and viewing future tasks – all on the go.

It gives fee earners the extra flexibility they need to help them provide an exceptional service to their clients.

Eclipse launches Proclaim Go – a new application allowing fee earners to work anywhere

Eclipse Legal Systems, the Law Society Endorsed legal software provider, has announced the launch of Proclaim Go – a mobile and tablet friendly application powered by Proclaim.

Proclaim Go is designed especially for fee earners who are often travelling or in client meetings, with a need to access accurate live information on their cases. With Proclaim Go, users can record meetings and update information, such as logging phone calls, creating memos, recording time and viewing future tasks – all on the go.

The new secure environment with optional two-factor authentication increases the accessibility of the Proclaim case management solution. As well as access via traditional desktop or cloud channels, fee earners can now access case history details (including documents and previous correspondence) while away from their PC or laptop. All they need is an internet connection, and login details to their own personal Proclaim Go application.

Darren Gower, Sales & Marketing Director at Eclipse, Comments:

“Our latest innovation gives users of the Proclaim case management solution the extra flexibility they need to continue providing an exceptional service away from a traditional desktop or cloud environment. Fee earners can stay up to speed with the latest live information whenever and wherever they take their smartphone, making it even easier to adopt more flexible ways of working.

“Fee earners can provide excellent client care instantly through a smartphone by searching for a client’s case by name and retrieving the requested information all whilst on the phone. Once the call has ended, users can record the time spent on the call and the details discussed directly into the case history using Proclaim Go. Notes can even be added using a smartphone’s existing digital dictation functionality.”

CKE Law selects Proclaim Practice Management solution from Eclipse

Manchester-based CKE Law is implementing the Proclaim Practice Management solution from Eclipse, the Law Society Endorsed legal software provider.

Providing legal services to both individuals and businesses, CKE Law places high importance on delivering a quality and efficient service to clients, so as to meet all expectations they have.

The firm specialises in a range of legal areas, including personal injury, probate and debt recovery, and so required a solution that would enable the effective management of different case types in the most efficient way possible. Proclaim’s tailored workflows for these particular areas of law will prove to be massively beneficial to the firm.

The Practice Management solution includes an accounting toolset that allows seamless billing procedures, so the software can be used throughout the practice by each department – further boosting efficiency.

Charles Edwards, Solicitor at CKE Law, comments:

“We firmly believe Proclaim will enable growth at our practice over the next few years. The time-saving nature of the inbuilt task automation toolsets, and the increased efficiencies it will bring, are certain to open up more opportunities for us to service a higher number of clients.

“It was important for us to have an accounting toolset so everything can be run through one system, and the Proclaim Accounts solution was exactly what we were looking for. We’re very excited about how this solution will help us deliver an even better service to our clients.”

Bespoke Case Management – how to get the perfect solution

A good case management system will work around you. A bad case management system will expect you to adapt, change your preferred way of working, and make sacrifices in order to use it. Which would you prefer?

Technology is at a point where rigid software is no longer acceptable. Two people using the same piece of software are going to use it in slightly different ways – thousands of people using the same software are going to find even more things to do with it – so these options need to be available.

No two case management systems have to be the same, even if produced by the same supplier. Of course they can be. There are thousands of law firms in the UK, and there will be a lot of overlap in the way they work.

But the ability to have a truly bespoke system will prove to be massively beneficial to those who do require something more than an out of the box solution.

There are a variety of different ways in which you can modify and customise your case management solution.

Workflows

Tailored workflows based on the areas of law you work within are the natural first step towards creating a bespoke system.

Out of the box solutions are available, where fee earners can complete common, generic tasks not exclusive to a particular area of law. But individual workflows allow you to work more efficiently in the unique tasks found in certain specialist fields such as conveyancing, probate, criminal and family law.

Each workflow has its own tailored screens to guide fee earners. And you can implement as many as you like. Pick and choose based on your specialist areas of law.

For example, if you obtain the probate workflow with Proclaim, you can download the latest IHT forms directly from our Client Area into your Proclaim environment – for you to complete and store in the appropriate case file.

Integrations

Case Management developers will always try to build new features they think will benefit their users. But sometimes, it’s easier and more cost effective for everyone if they take something that has already been built, and integrate it into their software.

So instead of something being created from scratch, they can take an already industry-leading product and offer it to their user through their Case Management solution.

Providers will often have a variety of integrations their users can choose to implement. Proclaim has almost a hundred lots to choose from. For example, Legal Bricks – a conveyancing search supplier that enables searches to be conducted directly from within Proclaim.

Again, users can pick and choose which integrations they would like, creating an even more bespoke solution.

Additional Products

You’ve got your Case Management set up, with suitable workflows and a couple of useful integrations that will allow you to add real value to your services. But it can get even better – with the addition of other products that plug into your main system.

These products can do any number of things. At Eclipse, we have a range of products that work seamlessly with our Proclaim Case Management system. Below is a brief overview of some of the things we can offer:

TouchPoint+ – An online portal for a fee earner’s, clients and referrers to view all their case information in a secure, interactive and branded environment.

SecureDocs – An online document delivery and acceptance tool – firms can securely provide clients with documents via an online portal.

FileView – Enables you to securely display Proclaim case information on your firm’s website, for your clients to see once they have logged in.

CaseViewer – Allows you to export case histories from Proclaim, for use in a non-Proclaim Windows environment.

With Proclaim you can choose your own personalised combination of workflows, integrations and additional products. So you can use it in a way that best suits you and your firm.

And with it, you’ll be better placed to deliver an exceptional service to your clients.

TouchPoint+ security and usability enhancements

Create greater confidence in your law firm with increased security

Two-factor authenticationDan needs to obtain the services of a solicitor. He’s buying his first home, and needs to get the conveyancing process started. Unfortunately, the law firm he was going to choose recently suffered a data breach, and sensitive client information was obtained by hackers.

So now he’s worried that if he chooses the wrong solicitor, his information could be compromised.

As such, his search for a conveyancer is very thorough. Dan comes across a law firm that uses TouchPoint+ – an online interactive self-service portal that allows clients of law firms to get updates on case progress at any time and facilitates easier communication between solicitors and their clients.

Dan noticed the law firm uses the latest version of TouchPoint+ that comes with a new security feature. Two-factor authentication, which means there are two things he needs to do before he can login to his account. First, he uses his login details (username and password) as normal. Then he will receive a text message to his phone with a unique code that needs to be entered into the portal.

Without the two-factor authentication – if anyone untoward were to get hold of Dan’s password and login, they will have access to communications between the law firm and Dan, as well as confidential documents regarding the case. Adding this extra layer of security prevents this scenario from occurring and gives Dan peace of mind his personal data will remain secure. If anyone were to steal Dan’s username and password information, they would also need his phone to gain access.

Dan sees this technology as a sign the law firm is dedicated to providing clients with a safe environment from which they can communicate and service his conveyancing needs. Dan hires this law firm to complete the purchase of his property.

Streamline case processing whilst enhancing client care

See all your matters in one placeMid-way through the conveyancing process, Dan has an accident at work and is looking to make a claim. Thankfully, the firm he has chosen to arrange the purchase of his new home also specialises in personal injury law.

So he speaks to the firm and his case is set up in no time. Whilst a different solicitor is handling his personal injury claim, Dan can use the same TouchPoint+ account to view both of the different matters the law firm is looking after.

There’s no need for another account. He can seamlessly switch between viewing the details of his conveyancing and personal injury cases, making everything more efficient. The Solicitors that are looking after Dan’s matters can also log into in to TouchPoint+ and view all the different matters they are working on in the same easy to use interface – helping to provide Dan and others like him with great client care.

Using technology to improve the client experience – but in a safe and secure way

Delivering a good client experience is essential in the legal world. Many who seek the advice or services of a law firm are in a difficult situation, and need the necessary expertise to help finalise their house purchase, handle their personal injury claim, or deal with the sensitive nature of probate work.

People want to pay for legal services that are going to get them the best end result – but they also want to ensure the entire process, whatever their needs might be, is handled smoothly, efficiently and with a certain amount of transparency.

But that could lead to other problems.

The evolution of technology in client services

First, let’s talk about the role technology can play, and has played, in enabling businesses to provide a higher level of customer service.

15 years ago it was becoming essential that every brand, big and small, had a website. They were fantastic platforms for displaying their information, customers could easily get in touch with them, and they helped generate lots of leads. Today brands are discovering ways to improve that experience even more, typically with the development of their own app.

Most individuals have their own smartphone and/or tablet, and so having information available on those platforms with excellent usability features has become very popular. The legal sector has been slow adopting this type of thing, but is beginning to embrace technology more and more when it comes to customer service.

Here’s where the problems start.

Digital solutions could mean less security

Whilst most customers appreciate the way they’re able to better connect with their lawyer, it does require a certain give and take. Having their case information available on an online portal or an app, ready for them to view at any time, is extremely convenient.

They don’t have to constantly phone or email anyone, asking for an update on their circumstances. Everything can be readily available with information provided in real-time. Why would you want to hire a law firm that doesn’t provide that kind of transparency?

But it does mean their case details are going to be available digitally. When it was just on paper, there was very little risk of this information falling into the wrong hands. Now, with news stories about security breaches seemingly quite common, there’s no guarantee everything is safe and secure.

Do your customers want to run the risk that their personal information – details that can be used to defraud them – could be stolen? Absolutely not.

Ensuring a safe and secure environment to protect people’s data

Technology devised to improve the client experience needs suitable security measures in place. One data breach, accidental or malicious, will lose all trust in your services.

TouchPoint+, the self-service portal from Eclipse integrated with the Proclaim Case Management solution, boasts features that ensure a very high level of security. The latest version of this solution now includes two-factor authentication.

It uses SMS text messaging to verify a user’s identity when logging into the portal to view their documents and case status.

That way they can be sure nobody has intercepted anything. Even if a malicious user had their login details, they wouldn’t be able to do or see anything without that text message.

If you’d like to learn more about how TouchPoint+ can securely transform client care at your law firm, you can find out more here.