Legal Practice Software Guide

Practice support
Legal practice management

software solutions review
Legal practice management software solutions review page 2 Queensland Law Society
Forward
About the guide
Queensland Law Society is often approached by practitioners seeking advice and guidance
in relation to practice management software solutions and electronic trust accounting
requirements. Following the well-received publication of the Review of Legal Practice
Management Systems in 2004, Queensland Law Society again commissioned a consultant,
Kate Hart, to undertake a review of the Legal Practice Management Software Solutions
available to Queensland Practitioners.
The guide has therefore been designed to provide practitioners with alternative systems
information at the highest level to help them to identify which solutions are best suited to their
practice.
The research process
Vendors of practice management systems were asked to complete a functionality checklist
and asked to complete this, indicating which areas of functionality were addressed by their
product(s). The responses were then reviewed by the consultant with the fnal table in section
three showing those areas of functionality agreed between the vendor and consultant.
About the researcher/consultant
Kate Hart is the principal of KD Hart Consulting, an independent consulting practice, offering
information technology consulting services to the legal profession in the areas of practice
management solutions, work process development, overseeing and implementing productivity
improvements, litigation support and training.
Kate commenced working in the legal industry in 1988 as the Brisbane Manager for the litigation
support group at Morris Fletcher & Cross (now Minter Ellison). Kate is still involved with providing
litigation support and advice to legal practices, and is a member of the Association of Litigation
Support Managers (ALSM).
Since 1992, Kate has also been providing advice in relation to the installation and management
of a broad range of application programs used in the legal profession. More recently, her main
areas of focus have been to:
recommend and oversee the implementation of practice management systems for small to
medium sized legal practices;
develop complex workfow processes for various areas of law to improve effciencies within
the conduct and management of fles;
develop and automate precedents for use within the practice;
introduce or redevelop intranet facilities to enable and encourage the sharing of information;
implement productivity improvements within legal practices;
develop reports to analyse performance, productivity and to monitor the overall position of
the practice; and
provide continued support and confdence to the practice through training and consulting
services as required.
Her management role has involved not only responsibility for the effcient running and
integration of systems but also the need to pay close attention to the perceived future
requirements of her clients to ensure they have the opportunity to take advantage of
technological developments.
Kate has an in-depth knowledge of the legal profession and its unique workplace requirements.
She speaks frequently on a number of information technology and practice related subjects for
the Queensland Law Society and Australian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA).
Contributing Vendors
This review features the following vendors and related products:
Vendor Product(s)
Lexis Nexis Lexis Affnity Library
Sinch Amicus Attorney
BHL BHL Insight
Filepro Filepro
LawMaster LawMaster
Leap Legal Software Leap Offce
LegalEdge LegalEdge
Open Practice Open Practice
Lexis Nexis PCLaw Plus
Other vendors were invited to participate, but chose to decline.
Checklist audience
This Checklist is intended for use only by Queensland Legal Practitioners contemplating the
acquisition of a practice management system. It is not suitable for any other purpose nor should
it be used by any other profession or business.
Scope of content
This Checklist provides information concerning the common functionality and features
of legal practice management systems. This Checklist is not intended to be, nor is it,
exhaustive or authoritative in the scope of its coverage. The Checklist should not be relied
upon as professional advice or as addressing any particular individuals or legal practices
circumstances. Every attempt has been made to ensure the Checklist a comprehensive listing
of major issues likely to be relevant and of interest to Queensland Legal Practitioners. There
may, however, be other issues relevant to particular individuals or legal practices.
Many of the currently available practice management systems do not provide all of the
functionality or features set out in this Checklist. Others provide additional functionality not
listed here. Product vendors or independent advisors should be consulted with respect to the
availability of specifc functionality in any particular practice management system. Practitioners
are encouraged to independently satisfy themselves as to the suitability to their particular
practice of any particular practice management system.
The Queensland Law Society does not guarantee, and accepts no legal responsibility
whatsoever arising from or connection to, the accuracy, reliability, currency, correctness or
completeness of any material contained in the Checklist.
Users should exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of the information
contained in this publication.
Copyright notice
Queensland Law Society
This checklist may not be publicly used, reproduced, adapted or communicated without the
express written permission of the Queensland Law Society. Members of the Queensland Law
Society may use this Checklist to assist them in determining their practice management system
needs.
Copies of this Checklist
may be obtained in
hard copy or by email
from the Queensland
Law Society.
E: info@qls.com.au
Table of Contents
Introduction: Where to start ............................................................................................................1
a. Features of Legal Practice Management Systems............................................................1
b. Where are you now and where are you going?................................................................2
c. Preparing the Budget ............................................................................................................3
d. The role of computer consultants ........................................................................................3
e. Refect and consider - Is there ever really a case for doing it all yourself?.....................3
f. Involve staff in your planning and decision ........................................................................4
g. Decision time ..........................................................................................................................4
h. Vendor support staff available ............................................................................................5
i. Major product installations ...................................................................................................5
j. User groups .............................................................................................................................5
k. The contract ...........................................................................................................................5
l. Remember - At the same time, keep an open mind........................................................6
m. Implementation .....................................................................................................................6
Computerised Trust Accounting Systems: legislative requirements............................................8
Functionality Checklist ..................................................................................................................10
Vendor profles ...............................................................................................................................20
n. Amicus Attorney...................................................................................................................20
o. BHL Insight .............................................................................................................................22
p. Comparto .............................................................................................................................24
q. Filepro ....................................................................................................................................26
r. LawMaster ............................................................................................................................28
s. Leap Offce ...........................................................................................................................30
t. LegalEdge ............................................................................................................................33
u. Lexis Affnity Library .............................................................................................................35
v. Open Practice .....................................................................................................................37
w. PCLaw Plus ...........................................................................................................................39
Introduction: Where to start
The principles that apply are basically the same whether upgrading an existing system or
computerising for the frst time.
Have a clear vision of the functionality you wish to achieve
Develop a clear budget for equipment, implementation, data transfer, training
Ensure that different systems integrate with one another avoid islands of technology
Develop an implementation plan
Avoid bespoke software stick to off-the-shelf
Most practitioners will fnd it more convenient to purchase legal practice management systems
rather than acquire a discrete accounting system, a discrete trust accounting system, a time
recording system and so on. In fact, implementing disparate systems is strongly discouraged as
common information within each system, such as the clients contact details, is time consuming
and diffcult to maintain. Instead, good practice management systems use a single database
as a central repository of information generated by the various modules of the product
software. This enables law frms to store and manage all relevant information about their
practices. These systems are highly sophisticated and offer extensive functionality. However, it is
imperative that the practice management system produces and maintains accurate records.
In addition to providing management tools, a central advantage of implementing a practice
management system includes the ability to share information captured by the practice
management system with other applications. The practice management system stores
information entered in its database into felds. These felds of information can be used in
conjunction with other applications, for example, word processing. Firm precedents can be
modifed to include these felds then merged with the information in the practice management
systems database to create matter specifc documents. This eliminates the need to re-enter
information already captured by the practice management system.
When considering any practice management system, it is important that the program should
be intuitive and easy to use. Programs that are diffcult to use may prove ineffcient and may
require external support and development.
a. Features of Legal Practice Management Systems
A practice management system offers the following main areas of functionality:
client/entity management
matter management
accounting functions
- trust accounting
- offce accounting
- billing
- disbursements and sundries
- debt collection management
- fnancial management
productivity reporting
practice management
- time recording
- diary
safe custody management
marketing
offce automation
- document production
- workfow
document management
Integration with other products and devices as well as other functionality.
After a shortlist of practice management systems has been made, it is essential that the frms
existing network (both hardware and software) is reviewed in line with all software requirements,
not just the practice management systems requirements. The capability of hardware
confgurations is often dependent upon the number of users and the software applications
being used concurrently.
The process of selecting an appropriate practice management system can be a time
consuming and confusing experience. It is recommended that practices consider retaining an
independent consultant to assist the law frm through the process of product selection. This will
help to ensure that both the law frm and the prospective product vendors understand what
functionality the law frm requires and whether that functionality is available within the budget
constraints of the law frm and the capabilities of any product under consideration.
b. Where are you now and where are you going?
Before introducing any new product, it is important to document the current position of the frm
and its plans for growth and diversity.
Current position
What is the current position of the frm?
number of partners
number of fee earners (including lawyers and paralegals)
number of support staff
location(s) of the frm
areas of practice (the types of services the frm provides and their relative importance)
current clients, their businesses and the types of services provided by them.
What is the planned growth for the frm (if any)?
What are the major reasons the frm wishes to implement a practice management system?
Current network
What is the current confguration of the frms network (including hardware and software)?
servers
workstations
operating systems
hubs / switches / routers
cabling
backup facilities
anti-virus
internet access
major software applications used
remote access capabilities.
It may be advisable to have a complete audit of the existing network done prior to
implementing any additional applications.
Future plans
The practice management system will need to accommodate future growth and diversity
within the practice. When reviewing any practice management system, you need to keep the
following in mind:
the size you expect the practice to grow to
the location of additional branch offces
whether a frm merger is planned
remote access requirements
accounting requirements of any additional branch offces
new areas of practice to be introduced to the frm
any new and expanding client base.
c. Preparing the Budget
It is important to accept and understand that any signifcant technological installation will
involve a major fnancial commitment and involve changes in current working practices.
Before purchasing a practice management system, a budget should be established taking the
following into account:
initial purchase price of the chosen practice management system
purchase of new hardware and / or upgrades
purchase of any additional software or software upgrades
precedent development or precedent purchases
implementation costs
consulting costs
training costs
maintenance costs.
When establishing a budget, practitioners should bear in mind the issues pertaining to the
current frm structure and the plans for growth and diversity.
d. The role of computer consultants
Using a good computer consultant can save a lot of professional time and money but you need
to ensure the consultant is truly independent and not tied to a software or hardware vendor.
The frst step is for the consultant to work with the lawyers to determine the practice needs. The
lawyers must get involved at this stage.
e. Refect and consider - Is there ever really a case for doing it all yourself?
We could just about answer this with a resolute NO! Why not, you say? After all, I know a bit
about computers and my brother-in-law works for an engineering software company.
IT systems are just like advanced statistics. A little bit of knowledge is arguably more dangerous
than no knowledge at all. People seek legal advice partly because lawyers are considered the
appropriate experts, but also because lawyers can give a dispassionate view of the problem.
As outsiders, they do not create all kinds of emotional baggage about defending their choices
and proving themselves internally. Thats why you should do the same with your IT investments.
Engage an outsider. In addition, talk to people with legal practice experience. It can save your
frm a huge amount of money.
Computer and systems consultants are no different from any other consultants: there are very
good ones and very bad ones.
Defne with the consultant the precise parameters of the assignment, and when payment is
due. It is a good idea to tie at least part of the payment to some reasonably objective test of
successful implementation. Make sure it is reduced to writing (at least in letter form).
f. Involve staff in your planning and decision
The implementation of any new practice management software (or perhaps an upgrade to
an existing software) will affect all staff in one way or another. Your staff are your most valuable
asset. Ensure that you involve them in the review process of potential products and the fnal
decision. Remember they are the ones who will be using the implemented system. Your staff will
possess skills and expertise within a variety of areas e.g. accounting skills and expertise that you
may not possess. Draw on that knowledge to make the right decision. Their input will prove to
be invaluable.
In doing so, you may also fnd a much greater acceptance and uptake of the system and less
resistance to the changes.
g. Decision time
A number of decisions are involved. Ask frms of a comparable size to your practice about their
network infrastructure; what software they use; how long have they had it; what is their degree
of satisfaction with the installation, the training, the backup service; can it be upgraded or
must it be replaced when its capacity is outgrown; and so on. Do not be pushed into buying a
product solely on the recommendation of the salesperson.
As we have emphasised earlier, planning is essential. Set realistic targets (e.g. you will not train
the authors to use the system overnight).
Questions to ask a vendor include:
can the installation and work be managed to ensure timetables are met?
what service response times can be achieved?
can memory or storage be upgraded if the needs of the system have been underestimated?
can the system be re-confgured to change the number or type of peripherals if after
installation the original setup of the system does not work as expected?
can they supply people onsite to provide innovative fxes to problems?
will they work through problems with the law frm staff?, and
can they provide all the frms training requirements?.
In relation to every one of the above questions, be sure to add the rider And at what cost?.
Ask the vendor for information to help you assess what its commitment to your frm will be.
Make sure it is reduced to writing (at least in letter form).
When choosing a system ask the vendor to nominate two or three reference sites that you can
visit to see the system in operation. Remember, with all things IT, it is not just a matter of what
they should do, but their actual performance in situ and this includes things like adequacy of
the training, reliability of backup support for the installation, communication skills of the vendor,
and so on.
Sometimes, IT users experience problems because they refuse to follow the recommended
procedures, or simply have not been prepared to pay for the training required to utilise the
system effectively. You will need to consider all these possibilities and take a balanced view.
h. Vendor support staff available
You should ask the vendor to identify the number of company staff who will be supporting your
installation:
in feld support, including product introduction, installation and training
in research and development, including major enhancements
in ongoing maintenance including central support and minor changes (an accessible and
responsive online Help Desk is essential).
The internet now provides opportunities for help desk services and training to be delivered
online. Ask your vendor to demonstrate their abilities in this regard prior to any commitment.
i. Major product installations
For each major product, ask for a synopsis of product development to the current version,
including date of frst major customer installation, current number of sites, dates of major
enhancements and plans for major improvements.
j. User groups
Ask for information about any vendor supported user groups for the products proposed.
Responses to these questions will help determine which vendors are serious about the legal
market and your installation.
k. The contract
Perhaps the most signifcant ingredient is the contract you enter into with the vendor. It is crucial
that you buy a solution to a problem, not pieces of hardware and software. If your contract
with the vendor is framed in terms of an order for hardware and software, then that is what you
will receive. If the hardware and software do not overcome your problem, the vendor has no
requirement to do anything further. If your contract is framed in terms of the problem you have,
with the vendor stating that it will solve that problem, you not only use the vendors expertise in
providing a solution, you also have the vendor contracted to solving that problem.
The vendor should spell out exactly what staff training they will provide. However, remember,
the more they provide, the more it will cost. But also recognise the only way to get full value
from your IT investment is to have as many staff as possible conversant with all aspects of the
new system.
Commitment also will be easier if the correct parties are included in the contract. When buying
hardware and software, identify who is supplying what equipment and software. If hardware
and software are provided from a number of different sources (often the case), make sure
that you have either a large lead contractor (that is fnancially stable) enter into the contract
with you, or alternatively, have all parties sign the same contract (as being jointly and severally
liable).
If the hardware and software do not solve the problem, the vendor is still committed to
providing hardware and software that will. If after installation your problem is not solved, it is
easier to go back to the vendor and say, I have a problem you contracted to solve - it is not
solved. I require you to provide further resources at no cost to me to solve the problem, than it
is to say I have contracted to buy hardware and software from you, which you supplied, but it
does not overcome the problem that I have. You need to ensure that all the documents that
infuenced your decision to purchase are included as an annexure to your contract. It is then
easier when ensuring commitment to go back to those documents and say to the vendor You
promised in a letter or pamphlet that your equipment would do this, this and this and it was on
that promise the purchase was made.
Do not let the vendor talk you into something you do not need.
l. Remember - At the same time, keep an open mind
At some stage of proceedings, you are going to have to build a degree of trust in your supplier /
advisers. There is a good chance that they will know about enhancements that you have never
heard of, and these may actually make your practice better off. A good rule of thumb is: Has
this person been constantly telling me what I need, or has he/she been asking me about what
I think my needs are? If it is the latter, you probably are not facing a major risk of being sold
things you do not need. Defning the legal parameters of your relationship is important but so is
establishment of this thing called trust. Only you can judge when (and if) it has been earned.
It is quite a common out when a problem occurs for one vendor to say - not my problem
- its the hardware (or vice versa). If a software vendor is providing you with a total solution,
including the provision of hardware from a large hardware vendor, make sure the hardware
vendor enters into the contract as a joint party. Thus, if on the installation it is found the system
is under-confgured or the operating system does not work, then the hardware vendor can be
called in to solve the problem.
It also makes the hardware vendor aware of the confguration that the software vendor has
proposed and whether the system has been under-confgured. Under-confguring hardware is
a method used by some software vendors to keep the initial cost of an installation down so that
the tender is won. It means the system has to have new hardware added to it soon after the
initial installation. This can add large and immediate costs to the law frm. Integrating the right
hardware decisions with the right software ones is critical, and something not well understood
by non-IT people. For example, each network operating system (a software decision) will come
with a menu of recommended hardware choices that the software supports. Put more simply,
if you stray from the recommended list, there is a really high chance that some aspects of
your installation simply will not work. Buying IT equipment on an impulse basis because Harvey
Norman, Myer, or whoever seems to be offering a great deal, may well be appropriate for
home or recreational IT purchases, but it is no way to set up your offce!
Commitment is not a one-way street. You and your staff must be prepared to co-operate with
the vendor. Project management meetings and training sessions must be attended, and you
must be prepared to pay the vendor for work done. This does not mean you pay for everything
in advance, but there is no point in sending the supplier to the wall.
In summary ensure that the vendor is committed to the success of your computer installation.
Early planning, a clear written statement of the benefts you are seeking, a well-constructed
contract and co-operation with the vendor will go a long way to ensuring this. However, be
prepared to pay for the best skills and services. Anyone can sell you a cheap hardware only
experienced computing professionals will make the whole system work as you envisaged.
Take a broad business-oriented view of your practice. Do not simply just focus on the needs
of lawyers. But do not focus only on the needs of secretaries. Focus on information fows and
processes, rather than specifc people and pieces of equipment.
m. Implementation
Insist that the system or particular application is installed and successfully tested before you are
obliged to pay.
Set a training schedule for all staff and other users. Remember your staff will not become experts
overnight so allow them the opportunity to go back over their training to instil confdence.
Ensure that the fast learners receive advanced training.
Do not forget to organise temporary typing or other support to cover the absences of your staff
and to ensure that the real work of the offce gets done while the training is taking place. Always
have back-up operators amongst your own staff so train them early.
Choose the time for the implementation carefully - avoid busy periods. Ensure adequate onsite
support is available for the go live phase.
Computerised Trust Accounting Systems: legislative
requirements
It was previously the practice of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to assess
computerised trust accounting systems with a view to approval of their use by solicitors. This
practice was discontinued in 1994.
The Queensland Law Society does not assess computerised accounting systems. Sections
28 to 32 of the Legal Profession Regulation 2007 set out the requirements for a complying
computerised trust accounting system. Sections 28 to 32 provide:-
28 Application of ss 2932
Sections 29 to 32 apply if a law practice keeps trust records, including records relating to
controlled money, by means of a computerised accounting system.
29 Copies of trust records to be printed
(1) The law practice must print a paper copy of trust records as follows
(a) trust account receipts and payments cash books are to be printed monthly as at
the end of each named month, unless a copy of the books as at the end of the named
month is kept in electronic form that is readable or reportable on demand;
(b) reconciliation statements prepared under section 44 are to be printed as at the end
of each named month;
(c) lists of trust ledger accounts and their balances are to be printed monthly as at the
end of each named month;
(d) lists of controlled money accounts and their balances are to be printed monthly as at
the end of each named month;
(e) trust ledger accounts, the controlled money movement records and the trust transfer
journal are to be printed before they are archived or deleted from the system;
(f) trust ledger accounts and controlled money account details are to be printed on
request by and provided to an investigator.
(2) The trust records printed monthly as at the end of a named month under subsection (1)(a) to
(d) must be printed within 15 working days after the end of the named month.
(3) The paper copies printed under subsection (1) are to be kept by the law practice, except
if they are printed on request under that subsection. The electronic copy of the trust account
cash books under subsection (1)(a) is to be kept by the law practice.
30 Chronological record of information to be made
(1) The law practice must keep a record, compiled in chronological sequence, of the creation,
amendment or deletion of information in its computerised accounting system in relation to the
following
(a) client name;
(b) client address;
(c) matter reference;
(d) matter description;
(e) ledger account number or other descriptor.
(2) The record is to be kept by the law practice.
31 Requirements regarding computer accounting systems
(1) The law practice must ensure its computerised accounting system is not capable of
accepting, in relation to a trust ledger account, the entry of a transaction resulting in a debit
balance to the account, unless a contemporaneous record of the transaction is made in a way
that enables the production in a permanent form, on demand, of a separate chronological
report of all occurrences of that kind.
(2) The law practice must ensure the system is not capable of deleting a trust ledger account
unless
(a) the balance of the account is zero and all outstanding cheques have been
presented; and
(b) when the account is deleted, a copy of the account is kept in a permanent form.
(3) The law practice must ensure any entry in a record produced in a permanent form appears
in chronological sequence.
(4) The law practice must ensure each page of each printed record is numbered sequentially or
is printed in a way that no page can be extracted.
(5) The law practice must ensure its computerised accounting system is not capable of
amending the particulars of a transaction already recorded otherwise than by a transaction
separately recorded that makes the amendment.
(6) The law practice must ensure its computerised accounting system requires input in every feld
of a data entry screen intended to receive information required by this division to be included in
trust records.
32 Back-ups
The law practice must ensure
(a) a back-up copy of all records required by this division is made not less frequently than once
each month; and
(b) each back-up copy is kept by the law practice; and
(c) a complete set of back-up copies is kept in a separate location so that any incident that
may adversely affect the records would not also affect the back-up copy.
If you wish to discuss any of the above requirements, please contact the Queensland Law
Society Trust Account Investigations Section on telephone number (07) 3842 5908.
Functionality Checklist
This functionality checklist should be considered a guide only to the available practice
management solutions and the functionality offered. Practitioners are advised not to select
a practice management solution for their practice based solely on this checklist. Instead, the
checklist should be used to identify functionality considered necessary to improve effciencies
and to enable practitioners to better manage their practice.
Note: Due to time constraint of the project, it was not possible for the consultant to review all
the items listed in the functionality checklist. Vendors have provided input to the checklist and
have been given the opportunity to review the results at the completion of the review by the
consultant. All vendors have confrmed that the checklists for their product(s) are accurate.
However, product developments may have been implemented since the review process.
Be realistic about your requirements. If you select all the functionality identifed in this checklist,
you may effectively be deciding to purchase one of the more sophisticated, high-end market
products, which usually involves much greater expense. Additionally, nominating functionality
that you do not really require may mean that you may not be able to support the functionality
internally with your existing or even your planned upgraded resources (which may include only
a limited number of additional staff).
As no practice management system will be perfect for everyone, it may become an issue of
value for money keeping in mind that some of the more sophisticated features may not be
used often enough to justify the expenditure.
Once a potential solution has been identifed, practitioners should contact the vendor(s) to
arrange to comprehensive demonstration of the product(s).
Legend
Half mark Functionality is met in part
# Consultants assessment differs from vendor.
- Lexis Affnity Library solution includes Affnity () and Information Manager (I)
- Amicus Attorney solution includes Amicus Attorney () and Amicus Accounting (A)
- Leap Legal solution includes Leap Offce (), MYOB (M), Leap RapidPay (R), Leap
Accounting (A) and Leap Documents (D)
- Open Practice solution includes OP (), OPS (S) and OPD (D).
- PCLaw Plus solution includes PCLaw Plus () and LexisNexis Precedents (P)
Note: Comparto has declined to submit a functionality checklist for its practice management
system.
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1. Confict checking and reporting (ie a
report of possible confict of interest
search results which can be distributed
or printed)

2. Multiple addresses and contact methods
3. Capture of additional attributes
4. Data integrity functionality
5. Relationship / association linkage
6. Direct emailing from practice
management system

7. Auditing of changes to clients/entities
8. Experts register (ie facility to register
specialists along with skills, region and
other attributes that can be searched)

9. Grouping of entities by category
10. Recording of exposure limits against
clients

11. Credit checking (ie integrated Credit
Check Searching)
S
12. Capture of bank account details
13. Capture of notes against a client/entity
14. Export of client/entity data
15. Full search and flter capabilities
Matters
16. Reinstate closed matters within full ledger
history

17. Record exposure limits for fees and
disbursements with alerts

18. Matter locking (ie locking, not closing, a
matter to prevent further activity)

19. Multiple clients on matter
20. Contact/entity register on matter
21. View matters associated with selected
contact/entity

22. Sub-matter capabilities (ie matters that
are linked eg class actions)

23. Matter planning tool (ie a tool like MS
Project that can plan the course/stages
of a matter, resources to be used,
timeframes and budgets)

24. Critical dates register
25. User defnable data felds for additional
data capture

26. Full search and flter capabilities
27. Registration and maintenance of secure/
private matters

Features
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Accounting Functions
Trust Accounting
28. Fully compliant with computerised trust
accounting act and regulations

29. Full audit reporting
30. Controlled funds management
31. Law Society deposit
32. Protected trust facility
33. Trust journals and reporting
34. Reconciliation of trust account
35. Clearance day calculation reliant of
method of funds received

36. Trust transfer and reporting facility A
Offce Accounting
37. Accounts receivable facility A
38. Accounts payable facility A /
M

39. Purchase ledger /
M

40. EFT / BPay payment of creditors facility / R
41. Credit card payment method and
surcharge calculation
/ R
42. Online cheque requisitions and
authorisation (ie authorised online before
cheque processing)
A /
M

43. Multiple bank accounts management A A /
M

44. Reconciliation of bank accounts and
reporting
A /
M

45. Automated electronic bank
reconciliation facilities

46. Multi-currency facility
47. Payroll production M
Billing
48. Billing Guides A
49. Flexible methods of billing eg fxed fee /
scale / itemised time etc

50. Variety of billing formats A
51. Reprint bill at any time A
52. Reprint of fnalised bill in a different bill
format

Features
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53. Exportation of the bill to word processing A
54. Fee write up/down allocation eg pro rata
or specifc value

55. Consolidation of multiple matters into
one bill

56. Saving of bill to document management
system

57. Rounding of totals to nearest $
58. Reporting of bills raised during a defned
period
A
Disbursements & Sundries
59. Input of sundries by non-accounts staff
60. Grouping of sundries for billing purposes A
61. Anticipated disbursements facility
including reporting

62. Calculation of interest on disbursements A
Debt Collection Management
63. Debt collection management facility
64. Application of credit terms A
65. Debt aging facility A
66. Credit rating facility
67. Generation of debt collection letters at
predetermined times

68. Interest calculation of overdue debts A
Financial Management
69. Predefned fnancial management
reports eg P&L, Balance Sheet.
A M
70. Customisable general ledger structure A M
71. Customisable fnancial management
reports
A /
M

72. Automatic emailing of selective fnancial
management reports

73. GST compliant to cash or accrual basis
including production of BAS
M
74. Branch accounting facilities /
M

75. Multiple trading company facilities A /
M

76. Consolidated reporting on trading
companies
A /
M

77. Recurring charges payment facility A /
M

Features
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78. Standing general ledger journal facility A /
M

79. Assignment of general ledger budgets A A /
M

80. Asset register A /
M
81. Asset depreciation schedules A /
M
82. Export to Excel functionality /
M

83. System audit of general ledger
transaction vs transaction history
M
Productivity Reporting
84. Key performance indicator reporting for
frm, departments and personnel (KPIs)
A
85. Record budget against fee earner and
reporting facilities
A
86. Decision making tools (eg Business
Intelligence) including current status
and future projects etc (ie a tool that will
report, analysis and present information in
a variety of formats to enable the frm to
make decisions)

87. Dashboard reporting functionality A /
M

88. Dynamic budget function A /
M

89. Matter inactivity reporting A
Practice Management
Time Recording
90. Time recording reports A
91. Timesheet entry A
92. Clock/timer facility A
93. Spell check on time narrations A
94. Stored keystrokes and play back A
Diary
95. Diary facilities D
96. Diary integration with Outlook calendar D
Safe Custody Management
97. Safe custody register
98. Check in/out facility
Features
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99. Document production in relation to safe
custody records (ie mail out facility eg
ability to produce a letter to packet
holders (clients) advising that their item is
due for review)

100. Safe custody reports (eg maturity /
movements) (ie reports that show the
total of packets held, the status or
movements (like released / returned etc)
of safe custody items etc)

101. Security controls on safe custody
activities (ie security that controls what
users can and cannot do within safe
custody)

102. Capture of electronic version of safe
custody items

Marketing
103. Event management and monitoring of
individual marketing campaigns

104. Marketing budget vs costs by campaign
105. Marketing media analysis (ie ability to
analysis where matters are coming from,
the marketing media which produces the
best results etc)

106. Client profling
107. Referral Register
108. Capture of marketing communications
109. Bulk mail-out functionality
Offce Automation
Document Production
110. Precedent library including searching
facilities
D
111. Dictation guides for precedents D
112. Smart precedent development D
113. Variable insertion tool when developing
precedents
D
114. Automated document production D
115. Multiple party document production
116. Prompt user for document variable input
(ie the user is prompted for data from
the database required to satisfy the
document)
# D P
117. Capture of variable data into database D
118. Variety of feld types for data felds D
119. Assignment of mandatory data felds (ie
data felds created by a user that can be
assigned as mandatory)
# D
Features
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120. Email production using client/entity/
matter details
D
121. Preview of precedent prior to generation I D P
122. Identifcation of parties associated
with precedent (ie identifes parties
associated with or required for the
precedent eg letter to mediator
confrming mediation may involve details
of other side solicitors and Counsel)
#
123. Help text on precedent P
Workfow
124. Dynamic workfow functionality (ie
workfow that changes as the course
of the matter changes including tasks
being added or removed as the matter
requires)
#
125. Establishment of team structures
126. Automatic assignment of tasks to team
members

127. Re-allocation of tasks when teams
change

128. Scheduling of task in accordance with
timeframes

129. Completion of task via To Do list or on
matter

130. Audit trail of tasks (ie audit of changes
made to tasks by users including such
changes as date, reallocation and
details of the change)

131. Escalation of tasks
132. Alerts on overdue tasks
133. Automatic trigger of time recording at
commencement of task

134. Generation of time entry at task
completion

135. Access to generated document(s) via
task

136. Automated multiple document
production on task

137. Ad hoc task creation including
document production

138. Automatic email creation/sending based
on events and/or data

139. Background data capture based on
events

140. Library of predefned tasks (ie a list of
tasks that can be added to the workfow
as the matter requires)
#
141. Task editing
142. Reallocation of tasks to other team
members

Features
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143. Allocation of Notes against a task
144. Re-calculation of task dates
145. Flagging of tasks to be web reportable
146. Visual representation of each workfow
147. Application of conditions on tasks (ie
ability to control whether a task comes
into a workfow based on criteria
(conditions) captured earlier in the
matter)

148. Workfow development for secure/private
matters

149. User defnable guidance/help on tasks
(ie ability to include help text on tasks to
assist users)

Document Management
150. Document searching using a variety of
criteria
D
151. Full text searching D
152. Categorisation and re-organisation of
documents (ie ability to be able to view
documents by different categories or
orders eg grouped by type by author)
D
153. Previewing of material using viewers D
154. Version control I D
155. Check in/out facility D
156. Protection of fnal documents (ie ability
to protect the fnal version of documents
from future editing or changes)
# D
157. PDF conversion I D
158. Capture of third party material D
159. Flagging of documents for brief
production

160. Flagging of documents for external
access
D
161. Protection of material for private/secure
matters
D
162. User defnable profling screen D
Additional functionality
163. Customisable screen layouts
164. Soft labels on user defnable felds
165. Security controls on database
functionality

166. Cloud computing eg self-service Internet
infrastructure (ie full access to the
practice management system via an
internet browser only)

Features
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167. Hosted (ASP) model
168. HR facilities
169. Importation of clients and matters (ie
ability to create new clients and matters
from importing a list of clients and matters
from another list eg a spreadsheet)

170. New enquiry interface (including web
enquiries) (eg interface screen to quickly
and easily create a client and matter
based on minimal information)

171. Confgurable data warehouse
172. Data dictionary for end users
173. Controlled and customisable external
access

174. Knowledge management / Library
facility (ie a facility where reference
material, seminar papers and other
library resources can be catalogued and
searched etc)

175. Accessible via PDA device
176. Online help
177. Context sensitive help
Integration with other applications and
devices
178. Cost recovery system eg Softlog / Billback
179. TAPI devices
180. SMS technology
181. Third party precedent packages
182. PDF creator
183. Document management system eg
iManage

184. Microsoft Offce including Exchange/
Outlook

185. Integrated online search facilities (eg
Citec) and automatic capture of results
and charges

186. Voice recognition software
187. Report writing application
188. Document automation tool eg HotDocs
189. Business analysis program
Vendor profles
The following profles have been submitted by vendors as their chance to promote their
products. Whilst the format and questions for these profles were designed by the consultant,
the responses have not been reviewed by the consultant.
Readers will note that some vendors have provided more detailed profles and responses than
others.
Some vendors decisions to withhold certain information have been made for very good
reasons. For example, pricing can often not be determined until a product vendor is made
aware of the number of proposed users or fee earners or how many modules of its product a
practitioner intends to take under licence. Nevertheless, these omissions are regrettable and
have meant that there are unavoidable blanks under subject headings in some of the profles of
particular products. In such situations, members should therefore seek further information
n. Amicus Attorney
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
Sinch Software Pty Ltd
Address: 14 Unwin Street
Canterbury NSW 2193
Contact: Simon Lewis
Telephone: 02-9718 4076
Email: simon@sinch.com.au
Website: www.sinch.com.au
Offce Locations: Sydney
Number of Staff: 5
Number of users
by Location:
QLD NSW ACT VIC TAS SA WA NT
100 100 10 50 0 20 20 0
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
120,000 80,000 50,000 15,000 5,000 1,000
Company Profle:
Sinch is the Australian distributor of Amicus Attorney, a product published by Gavel & Gown
of Toronto, Canada. Our focus is on helping lawyers be a better lawyer, whether they be in
a law frm, or in-house. Our people have been doing this for 25 years.
We continue to be a world leader in the innovative use of IT for lawyers themselves, as
opposed to just support or accounting staff. We help our clients thrive in challenging times
by applying methods and tools beyond Amicus with training and seminars to build a special
community of IT-enabled lawyers.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: Amicus Attorney
Product Profle:
Amicus products are designed to make law frms more effcient and proftable, while
providing legal professionals with greater peace of mind. We want you to do more, bill more
and go home early! The Amicus product line includes: Premium Edition; Small Firm Edition;
Amicus Accounting; Amicus Mobile - add-on to Premium Edition that runs Amicus Attorney
in real-time on a variety of Smartphones and mobile devices
Licensing Arrangements and Costs (including Maintenance):
Amicus is like shrink-wrapped software, and does not lock you into annual fees for
maintenance. One-off license fee: Premium: $995 per user; Small Firm: $795 per user;
Accounting $495 per user; Mobile $995 for the server & $195 per user. Optional upgrades
are at discounted price thereby giving you the control of deciding if the upgrade offer is
worthwhile.
Application Installation Details:
Depends on product and services required. Premium Edition requires an Amicus version of
MS SQL 2008, which is included with the price of Amicus. The Small Firm Edition does not use
SQL and so requires less powerful hardware.
Implementation Procedures and Associated Costs:
Would normally recommend at least 1 day for basic data conversion of clients, matters and
documents. 1 day for installation and customisation, and 1 day for training spread over a
few short, digestible sessions. That would normally be $980 per day.
Summary of Training and Support Options:
Training of at least one day is recommended, even though Amicus has the reputation of
being the worlds easiest practice management system. In addition to a 600+ page User
Manual, and a short Getting Started Manual, we provide a specially written training manual
to step you through the breadth of features, and provide tips on the way.
Support is $295 for the frst user, and $95 per each additional user per year.
Data Migration Options:
Migration of basic contact, matter and document information can normally be
accomplished in a day or two. Sources of data might be Outlook and existing accounting
system. Full data migration from a fully utilised Practice Management System can be an
expensive exercise, and might be hard to justify in small frms as some systems make it very
diffcult for you to extract your data.
Hardware Requirements:
Server Workstation
Premium Edition: 2 GHz+ with 4 GB Ram
Small Firm Edition: 2 GHz Pentium 4 with 1 GB Ram
1 GHz+ with 2 GB Ram
1 GHz+ with 2 GB Ram
Software Requirements:
Operating System Database
Server Workstation
Premium: Win Server or SBS 2008/2003
Small Firm: XP Pro or better
XP or later
XP or later
MS SQL 2008
Nil built in
o. BHL Insight
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
BHL Software Pty Ltd
Address: Level 1,
645 Ann Street,
Fortitude Valley 4006
Contact: Christopher Eddison-
Cogan
Telephone: 1300 132 385
Email: cmec@bhl.com.au
Website: www.bhl.com.au
Offce Locations: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
Number of Staff: 8 (4 developers, 2 Training, 1 Sales, 1 Admin)
Number of users
by Location:
Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes No
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
No Few Yes Yes Yes Yes
Company Profle:
BHL has been developing and supporting software for Australasian law frms for more than
25 years. Insight is a completely new product, developed in house by the same team since
2003. This combination of stability and fexibility delivers increased productivity, improved
management information and higher per-partner proftability.
We have successfully replaced competing systems in Australasian law frms with from 5
to 400 staff. The advantage to clients of Australian support is that the software refects
Australian requirements and is readily modifable at short notice and low cost to suit clients
own practices.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: BHL Insight
Product Profle:
BHL Insight is a complete and integrated legal practice management system designed for
frms with from 20 to 400 users. Developed in collaboration with clients over the last decade,
it may be installed with a focus on one or more component areas, including but not
limited to fee recording and billing, trust and general accounting, workfow and document
assembly, marketing, fee earner performance, branch and department performance,
collections management, matter and time management. BHL Insight may be confgured to
suit each individual user so that despite its breadth of functionality the system remains easy
to install and to use.
Licensing is based on the traditional per server, per user and per component approach,
with maintenance calculated at 20% per annum. Typically, licence fees are between $1000
and $2,000 per user. If clients request other forms of licensing, for example SaaS or Cloud
Computing then we are open to other approaches. Our goal is to provide clients with
enhanced productivity and proftability on a commercial and competitive basis.
Available on application. (Depends on frm size and requirements).
Available on application. (Depends on frm size and requirements). We work with a number
of consulting frms and individuals, usually charging on an hourly or daily basis. Our own rates
are between $140 and $240 per hour.
Available on application. (Depends on frm size and requirements). We work with a number
of consulting frms and individuals, usually on an hourly basis. Our own rates are between
$140 and $240 per hour.
Full or partial conversions. We have converted sites from New Locus, BHL E, Keystone, Perfect
Balance and Leap.
Server Workstation
Available on application (Depends on frm size
and requirements)
Server Workstation
Windows, Unix or Linux Windows XP and above, Citrix and
Terminal Services on PCs or Apple Mac
Oracle, SQL Server
on request
p. Comparto
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
Comparto Pty Ltd
Address: Unit 4 First Floor
Portal Offce Park West
2994 Logan Road
UNDERWOOD QLD
4119
Contact: Denise Allen
Telephone: (07) 3423 3402
Email: admin@comparto.
com.au
Website: www.comparto.com.
au
Offce Locations: 1
Number of Staff: 7
Number of users
by Location:
106 4
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
16 74 15 4 0 1
Company Profle:
Comparto Pty Ltd was established in 1977 and installed their frst legal practice in 1983.
Comparto Pty Ltd provides: -
Practice software for legal practices
Practice software for accounting practices
Networks
Word processing
Training
Support
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: Comparto Practice Management
Product Profle:
The following software is developed and marketed by Comparto Pty Ltd:-
Practice Management/Creditors/Payroll
Softlog disbursements interface
Mortgage Accounting
Word Processing Interface
Document Management System
Licence to use based on number of installed workstations that will access the software.
Costs by quotation.
Application software is installed on the server with only a shortcut on each workstation.
Initial disk space of 30Mb is required, increasing to 200Mb 300Mb required after one year
depending on size of practice.
A review of the practice and network is performed by Comparto at no cost.
Software installation is performed by Comparto and the cost is included in the price of the
software.
Training is available either at our offce or on-site.
Costs by quotation.
Open Practice Law Ledger
Leap PC-Law
Locus Perfect Balance
Law Master
Server Workstation
Microsoft Based Server Microsoft Based Workstation with XP/Vista/
Windows7
Server Workstation
Microsoft Windows
2000/2003/2008
Windows XP Professional
Windows Vista Business
Windows 7 Professional
Proprietary Database
q. Filepro
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
Filepro Pty Ltd
Address: 5A 18 Albert Road
South Melbourne VIC 3205
Contact: David Keeler
Telephone: 0419 902 624
Email: david@flepro.com.au
Website: www.flepro.com.au
Offce Locations: WA, QLD (x2), TAS, SA
Number of Staff:
Number of users
by Location:
52 2 48 8 2 180 0
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
60 170 40 20 3
Company Profle:
Filepro Pty Ltd is a private Australian company. Based initially in WA, company management
has recently relocated to Melbourne. Developing, distributing and supporting solutions
only for the legal profession for 20 years, Filepro is the 4
th
generation of legal practice
management software.
Filepro enjoys a 60% penetration into WA legal frms who utilise specialised legal practice
management software. The company recently moved into the eastern states market with
a company philosophy of providing a simple, friendly and lower cost option in a single
platform solution, with local representation.
The board and management of Filepro Pty Ltd are committed to the ongoing development
and enhancement of the product based on user input and by staying abreast of
developments in technology.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: Filepro
Product Profle:
Filepro is a single software solution incorporating: Document Assembly and Document
Management, Cost Recovery, Time Billing and Trust and General Accounting, Electronic
Filing and functional connectivity to the Microsoft Offce suite, including email capture, diary
and tasks.
Visually representing the fle clients fnd the software intuitive and friendly to use, a single
software solution ensures integrity and reduces down time and connectivity issues with 3
rd

party applications. Continuing to develop the software Filepro has released 6 updates in the
last 12 months with over 80 new features. All users enjoy the updates at no extra cost.
Filepro has a consumable pricing model. Users purchase consumable matters/fles for a one
off cost of approximately $10.00 plus GST depending on annual consumption. There is no
capital cost or annual licensing fees or per user registration fees.
Document sets such for Family Law, Conveyance etc are available from the local offce
or licensed agent. After initial data migration, training and installation the ongoing cost is
the purchase of the fle that can be recovered from the client as an outlay. All users enjoy
regular updates to the software at no extra cost.
Filepro resides on (a) server(s), with a thin workstation install, all product updates are
processed at the server level only.
Implementation includes:
Installation of Server and workstations, Email Add-In and user logins and security;
Training of all staff in basic use and familiarity, document production, time recording
and billing; Selected staff in precedent creation and management; Selected staff in
Bookkeeping and Accounting.
Data Migration and reconciliation.
Onsite staff for the transitional period from training to the live environment.
Typically a 40 user frms is fully implemented in an 8 working day period causing minimum
disruption to the practice.
Fully qualifed training staff and/or Licensed Agents conduct initial training and
implementation.
All clients have access to online support, at the workstation level.
Product warranty and technical support is available online from the development offce.
Ongoing user training and support is available from local staff or Licensed Agents.
Response time to support queries is typically immediate and generally within the hour.
Filepro offers data migration from a number of products, including clients, matters, WIP,
Disbursements, Debtors, Trust, Bank Reconciliations, Trial Balance and historical documents.
Server Workstation
Minimum - Zeon 3065 Processor 2 Gb
available RAM. By review depending
on users and other applications such as
Exchange Server
Minimum - Intel Pentium IV or compatible, 2.4
gigahertz (GHz) or higher processor
Server Workstation
SQL Server 2000 or greater Windows XP Pro or greater Microsoft SQL
r. LawMaster
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
LawMaster Pty Ltd
Address:
12 Ballinger
Crescent,
Buderim, QLD, 4556
Contact: Robert Laird
Telephone: 0414 298 750
Email: rlaird@lawmaster.
com.au
Website: www.lawmaster.
com.au
Offce Locations: Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth.
Number of Staff: 20
Number of users
by Location:
981 219 50 320 10 492 111 0
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
9 19 9 8 0 5
Company Profle:
LawMaster is 100% Australian Company, based on the Sunshine Coast with staff in Sydney,
Melbourne & Perth. LawMaster has been operating for 22 Years providing software solutions
for the legal profession only. LawMasters largest client is approaching 400 users across 30
locations, with the smallest being sole practitioners using the LawMaster hosted service
LawMaster On Demand. LawMaster is a conservative company that has developed and
continues to foster a friendly company culture, with a fexible attitude able to satisfy the
requirements of the most demanding customer requirements.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: LawMaster
Product Profle:
LawMaster is a fully integrated solution for Australian law frms covering 21 solution areas
and encompassing 22 years of Research and Development. Based on the most up-to-date
and complete Microsoft Software architecture, and fully integrating with Microsoft Offce,
LawMaster is a software platform capable of enabling innovation and change in modern
fast moving law frms, as well as providing solid and reliable base for established frms.
Because of its depth, fexibility, and powerful customisation features, LawMaster is suitable
for frms of all sizes and areas of law.
LawMaster has the following 3 pricing options:
Hosted Solution
Variable Fee Solution pricing
Rented Solution
For detailed pricing options, contact LawMaster.
Installation of the LawMaster application is included in the implementation plan.
LawMaster Implementation Services are managed by highly experienced staff, and
implementation plans are built based on specifc customer requirements and resource
availability. Contact LawMaster for pricing.
LawMaster Training: Comprehensive Structured Training Options by Qualifed Instructors.
LawMaster Support: Standard Service Level Support with customised support options
available. Full self-server portal for request logging.
LawMaster Data/Document/Workfow migration from other systems to LawMaster is
available.
Server Workstation
Contact LawMaster for details Contact LawMaster for details
Server Workstation
Windows 2003 or later Windows XP SP3 or later MS SQL Svr included
s. Leap Offce
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
LEAP Legal Software Pty Ltd
Address: Level 8, 189 Kent Street
Sydney NSW
Contact: Ramsey Cabbani National
Sales Manager
Telephone: 0448403041
Email: ramsey.cabbani@leap.com.
au
Website: www.leap.com.au
Offce Locations: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Singapore
Number of Staff: 157
Number of users
by Location:
2,560 6,296 183 2,141 106 224 110 73
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
2100 800 60
Company Profle:
LEAP Legal Software provides software, content and online solutions exclusively to small law
frms with 1 25 people. This special focus allows us to ensure that our solutions are relevant,
effective and affordable for every small law frm. Our clients report that our strength is the
high level of integration we provide between typical law frm applications. LEAP Offce is
a single integrated solution that combines (incorporates) all communication, form and
precedent management, practice guidance, document and legal accounting functions
in a single product, together with a Google optimised website. LEAP Offce also integrates
seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel and MYOB for the
General Ledger, BAS and payroll. LEAP has a robust management team and is committed
to innovation with a R&D budget that exceeds $3 million per year. We provide a unique
Money Back Guarantee to new purchasers to back up our software. Our software is
supported by our Australian Helpdesk Team and industry leading online resources.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: LEAP Offce
Product Profle:
LEAP Offce is an integrated solution that incorporates six components:
LEAP Documents
LEAP Accounting
LEAP Searching
LEAP Website
Smokeball Forms
Step-by-Step Legal Practice Guides
$150 per user per month for LEAP Offce which includes:
Licence Fees
Unlimited telephone support
Updates to automated legal forms, precedents and Step-by-Step Legal Practice
Guides
Version Upgrades to LEAP Documents and LEAP Accounting
Access to online resources including free training Webinars, online Knowledge Base
and the LEAP Wiki.
Clients are required to confrm before installation date that their hardware, operating
system, telecommunications, Microsoft Offce and MYOB software complies with the LEAP
System Requirements. Initial installation is performed by the LEAP Consultant onsite. Version
upgrades are downloaded from the LEAP Client Space and are installed by the client.
Updates to automated legal forms and precedents are performed online using the
Precedent Management System. There is no down-time.
Once the Order is accepted the client is provided with immediate access to all online
resources including legal forms, precedents, Step-by-Step Guides and LEAP Website.
Software is installed in phases to minimise disruption. LEAP Documents is installed frst,
followed by LEAP Accounting about 2-3 weeks later. LEAP Offce installation for:
1-4 users will take 2 days to install and train
12 users will take 4 days to install and train
13 users and more will depend on the nature of the frm and their requirements.
Consulting Rates are currently $1750 (plus GST) per day.
Initial training is delivered at the time of installation. Additional training is provided via free
online Webinars, access to the LEAP Wiki. Online and onsite training is provided by the LEAP
Consulting team including monthly classroom instructions at standard consulting rates.
Support is provided by the National HelpDesk through the Client Space, National HelpDesk
Portal, the Knowledge Base and the LEAP Wiki. The HelpDesk operates from 8.30 5.30 AEST.
Calls may be logged online 24x7 and suggested resolutions are given based on keywords
entered in the logs.
We perform Electronic Data Migrations from all of the major legacy legal accounting
systems including Perfect Balance, Open Practice, Locus (old), Lexis Affnity, BHL (C) and
KG2000. There are three types of Conversion. FreshStart (Clients and Matters- names and
addresses only) QuickStart (Clients and Matters - names, addresses and safe custody) and
Transactions (Clients and Matters - names, addresses, safe custody and matter fnancial
transactions). Transactions .
Server Workstation
PC with minimum 2GB RAM and 1.8 Ghz CPU
for 1-5 users
PC with minimum 3 GB RAM and 1.8 Ghz CPU
for 6 15 users
PC with minimum 4 GB RAM and 1.8 Ghz CPU
for 15 - 25 users
PC with minimum 2GB RAM and 1.8 Ghz
CPU
Server Workstation
Small Business Server 2003
Windows 7 Professional & Ultimate
Windows Vista Ultimate, Business &
enterprise
Supplied with
software
t. LegalEdge
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
CentraLegal Pty Ltd T/as LegalEdge
Address: PO Box 239
Wickham NSW 2293
Contact: Brendon Sidebottom, Doug Boyd
Telephone: 02 4323 1394
Email: sales@legaledge.com.au
Website: www.legaledge.com.au
Offce Locations: Sydney, Newcastle NSW
Number of Staff: 4
Number of users
by Location:
0 25
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
9 16
Company Profle:
CentraLegal Pty Ltd t/as LegalEdge was formed by Doug Boyd and Brendon Sidebottom
in 2007. Doug has more than 10 years experience building and designing billing systems for
Vodafone Optus and Qantas. Brendon has 15 years experience in both systems accounting
and legal practice management roles. CentraLegal also has network engineers and
practice managers/accountants on staff to perform business services or compliance
reporting for clients. The frm is represented in Brisbane by Kelly Mills and Law Support
Australia. CentraLegal t/as LegalEdge exists to service sole practitioner to 20 person frms.
LegalEdge is a hosted cloud software solution offered as a monthly subscription. The
affordability and fexibility of the on-line service makes it ideal for dynamic law professionals
who are out of the offce but not out of touch.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: LegalEdge
Product Profle:
Cloud based Matter and Practice Management, Document generation from precedent
documents. Integrated searching. All matter documents and emails are stored on the
cloud server for instant access from anywhere in the world. Trust and Offce accounting is
built in - includes payroll with online timesheets. Time and disbursement capture, fexible
billing, reporting.
Monthly subscription $99 per user per month
No install required. Runs in a web browser. Microsoft Word and Excel are required to edit
documents.
Nil
Online training (videos) and How To documents. Online support is included.
Completed to date: MYOB, LEAP, BHL, CLO
Server Workstation
Nil Broadband
Server Workstation
N/R Windows XP and later N/R
u. Lexis Affnity Library
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
LexisNexis (Reed Business Information
Pty. Ltd. Trading as LexisNexis)
Address: Tower 2, 475-495 Victoria Ave
Chatswood 2067
Contact: Customer Relations
Telephone: 1800 772 772
Email: customer.relations@lexisnexis.com.au
Website: www.lexisnexis.com.au
Offce Locations: In Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth
and International Offces
Number of Staff: 13,000 people globally
Number of users
by Location:
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
Company Profle:
LexisNexis is a world leading provider of content-enabled workfow solutions. Our innovative
solutions focus on the needs of the legal industry to help your business succeed by
improving productivity, increasing proftability and stimulating growth. Current solutions
include online and print legal, regulatory, news and business products and services, tools
and customised web applications for law librarians.
Our valued research solutions are coupled with practice management tools to provide a
unique offering to help our clients win.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: Lexis Affnity Library
Product Profle:
Lexis Affnity Library is a complete, end-to-end business system, with automated system
checking and integration across all key offce functions. Lexis Affnity Library is developed
using tools that are proven and reliable, to provide the basis for a single software
application and database solution.
This streamlined system integrates everyday functions such as document production,
marketing, email management, time recording, workfow and accounting, to allow your frm
to map case fows and administrative processes into workfow processes.
Lexis Affnity Library is sold on a subscription model. The model is determined based on the
number of fee earners at the client site.
The Oracle Database is installed on the server and then the software is installed on the client
workstation using an MSI.
Please request a copy of the Operating System Confguration Requirements from LexisNexis
for current specifcations.
LexisNexis has developed a service approach that is designed to ensure an intrinsic link
between client requirements and LexisNexis service delivery. LexisNexis partners with its
clients, to develop a structured planning and review process that refects the frms culture,
business requirements and resources.
Implementation costs vary dependent on the needs of the frm.
LexisNexis provides LexisCare a comprehensive support package that is provided as part
of a clients subscription to Lexis Affnity Library. LexisCare entitles clients with access to the
helpline team, regular software updates and upgrades, preferential professional service
rates and access to a user community. LexisNexis offers several training options dependent
on client needs. Training options range from basic accounting training to advance scripting
and workfow training. Training can either be delivered onsite or in a classroom environment.
For clients who require a data migration, LexisNexis can migrate data from one (1) entity
in your incumbent Practice Management system to Lexis Affnity Library. The ability to
bring across the existing data of your frm dramatically reduces the complexity, time and
cost of the transition and allows you to concentrate on running your business. Information
about migrating multiple entities is available upon discussion with a LexisNexis Relationship
Manager.
Server Workstation
A dedicated server is required.
Please request a copy of the Operating
System Confguration Requirements from
LexisNexis for current specifcations.
Server Workstation
Please request a copy of the
Operating System Confguration
Requirements from LexisNexis for
current specifcations.
Most currently supported 32 bit
versions of Microsoft Windows
desktop Operating System and
some 64 bit versions.
32 bit and 64 bit Terminal Server
environment.
Oracle
v. Open Practice
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
Open Practice Information
Address: Level 2
15 Astor Terrace
SPRING HILL QLD 4001
Contact: Mandi Kaplan
Telephone: 1300 366 002
Email: Mandi.kaplan@globalx.
com.au
Website: www.openpractice.com.au
Offce Locations: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth
Number of Staff:
Number of users
by Location:
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-
100
100+
Company Profle:
Open Practice Information is a wholly owned subsidiary of GlobalX Information. We provide
National land services, National corporate info, personal info and credit reporting within an
integrated Practice Management solution (Open Practice). The companys head offce is
based in Brisbane with offces in Melbourne and Sydney. We serve Law Practices, Settlement
Agents, Conveyancers, In-house Counsel, Government Departments and Mortgage
processors.
We offer a One-Stop-Shop whereby you can increase your practices proftability via
increased information, automated solutions and reduced duplication. Our legal software
solutions are backed by a dedicated and experienced team ready to offer industry leading
customer services and assistance with optimizing value from your implementation.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: Open Practice
Product Profle:
Open Practices fully featured environment offers Australias best practice management
software solution. By providing case management, trust accounting, document production,
precedent management, legal time recording and innovative cost capture features,
it creates the effciencies and returns which make it a virtual proft delivery system. Our
exclusive range of products cater for all practice management requirements, offce
automation and searching needs.
Open Practice is based on concurrent licensing. For licensing and maintenance costs,
please contact our Sales Department via info@openpractice.com.au
Maintenance costs: Referred to as CFP. CFP allows you to keep up to date with the
latest developments in your practice management investment. The service provides cost
effective benefts such as software updates for all licensed software, on-going research and
development.
Open Practice operates on Microsoft SQL Server. The Open Practice database is installed
via standard SQL Server procedures. The program fles reside on the server under a standard
directory structure.
OP Consultant will install the OP database either on site or via remote access. Costs are by
arrangements or under our standard consulting rates.
Training: There are various training options from customized training; training Lawyers on
specifc areas they would use (e.g. Time Recording, Enquiry screens). Training Accountant /
Bookkeeper on how to use the product and training Owners how to interpret reports.
Support: We provide personalized Help Desk support via our National Client Centre in
addition to providing professional consulting advice in our product range. The National
Client Care Centre operates from 7am to 7pm AEST, Monday through Friday. Weekend
support can be organized by prior arrangement under standard consulting rates.
For data migration options, please contact our Sales Department via info@openpractice.
com.au. We also offer a manual bring on option which allows clients to manage their
balances brought forward.
Server Workstation
As per information on the OP website
Server Workstation
As per information on the OP
website
w. PCLaw Plus
CORPORATE PROFILE
Company
Name:
LexisNexis (Reed Business
Information Pty. Ltd. Trading as
LexisNexis)
Address: Tower 2, 475-495 Victoria Ave
Chatswood 2067
Contact: Customer Relations
Telephone: 1800 772 772
Email: customer.relations@lexisnexis.
com.au
Website: www.lexisnexis.com.au
Offce Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth and
International offces
Number of Staff: 13,000 people globally
Number of users
by Location:
Number of users
by frm size:
1-5 6-20 21-40 41-75 75-100 100+
Company Profle:
LexisNexis is a world leading provider of content-enabled workfow solutions. Our innovative
solutions focus on the needs of the legal industry to help your business succeed by
improving productivity, increasing proftability and stimulating growth. Current solutions
include online and print legal, regulatory, news and business products and services, tools
and customised web applications for law librarians. Our valued research solutions are
coupled with practice management tools to provide a unique offering to help our clients
win.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Produce Name: PCLaw Plus
Product Profle:
PCLaw Plus s an all-in-one practice management solution for small law frms, that helps to
save time and increase frm proftability. You can manage your entire practice with PCLaw
Plus, a total solution that combines practice management software, precedents and online
research tools in a single, integrated package that improves and streamlines your workfow
processes.
PCLaw Plus is charged on a subscription model. The model is determined based on the
number of users at the client site.
A subscription to PCLaw Plus includes software licenses, software version updates, a
precedent library of your choice, online research services, helpline, implementation and
initial training and support.
PCLaw Plus is a Win32 API program that stores persistent data in a specialist legal database
that is designed specifcally for law frms. The PCLaw Plus software will run on a properly
confgured computer workstation with data stored locally or as a network application on
multiple computers with data stored on a File Server.
LexisNexis use the expertise of certifed independent consultants to assist with the
implementation of PCLaw Plus. LexisNexis has developed a service approach that is
designed to ensure an intrinsic link between client requirements and LexisNexis service
delivery. LexisNexis partners with its clients, to develop a structured planning and review
process that refects the frms culture, business requirements and resources.
Implementation costs are included as part of a PCLaw Plus subscription.
Support and implementation training are included as part of a customers subscription. If
a customer requires additional training beyond those included as part of the subscription,
these are charged on a time and materials basis.
Server Workstation
Server Workstation
Please request
a copy of the
Operating System
Confguration
Requirements from
LexisNexis for current
specifcations.
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