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Utilizing The Cloud In Your Law Firm

Most people are using the cloud in some form in their personal lives. Think about it… Netflix is a form of the cloud. In enterprises, the same is true with the average number of cloud applications in use being approximately 36. But what about the legal field? Unfortunately, the pace of adoption is quite slow. Why? Because lawyers are concerned about the privacy and confidentiality of client information. This makes sense, but in many cases, the cloud is actually a more secure way to manage client information, especially for lawyers who are accessing documents, case files, and other information outside of the office.

Attorney In Law Firm Working In The Cloud

Let’s Take a Look at What the Cloud Is and How It Works…

Cloud computing is a term most of us are starting to hear quite often in our personal and professional lives. Essentially, cloud computing refers to the web-based, off-site storage of data and applications. The cloud allows you to access your resources, including data and applications, from any device with an internet connection. Instead of having these resources on-premises, you’re storing them offsite in a data center that you’re able to access as needed. Here are some of the most popular cloud solutions:

  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • OneDrive

Some cloud services are free while others charge a monthly fee on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. This fee is typically based on the amount of storage or licenses required. Although there are many great free cloud services, it’s important to be aware that not all cloud services will meet your unique needs in terms of accessibility, client confidentiality, and storage.

Does the Cloud Make Sense for Law Firms?

In the simplest terms, absolutely. If you’re a larger law firm, moving to the cloud will give you incredible benefits – from less technology-related expenses to greater accessibility from any location. However, for smaller law firms, moving to the cloud can be cost prohibitive in terms of servers and/or workstations. Instead, smaller law firms can find value in software-as-a-service. In other words, moving your applications to the cloud. You can compile documents, handle billing, manage cases, and overall, get more done in less time.

There are many clear benefits of moving to the cloud, including:

  • Less upfront costs associated with purchasing, maintaining, and supporting on-premises equipment.
  • Greater accessibility to case files, documents, and other important information from the courtroom or on the go.
  • Enterprise-grade protection as everything is stored in an offsite data center that’s safeguarded.
  • Quick provisioning that enables you to scale up or down in terms of storage, users, etc. in a matter of minutes.

Should You Migrate Your Law Firm to the Cloud?

It all depends. If you’re willing to do your due diligence to find the right cloud service, the benefits can be well worth the time and effort put into migration. Plus, you’re able to incur operating expenses rather than capital expenses – an ideal choice for any law firm that’s aiming to reduce costs. Smaller law firms should focus on moving their applications while larger law firms with 20+ employees will find value in moving their entire environment to the cloud.

Here are a few signs it’s time to migrate to the cloud:

  • You’re relying on outdated, paper-based processes: If you’re relying almost entirely on outdated, paper-based processes, you’re bound to get lost in a sea of legal documents at any given time. Think about it… You’re accessing and storing a massive amount of information. Keeping everything on paper is simply inefficient.
  • You’re losing billable hours whenever you’re away: If you’re losing billable hours whenever you’re away from the office because you can’t get work done, the cloud makes sense because you’re able to have a bit more freedom and flexibility. If you’re at the courthouse or on vacation, you’re still able to work.
  • You’re not investing in the right security measures: If you’re feeling uncertain about whether or not you have the right security measures in place, or worse, you know you don’t have the right security measures in place, the cloud is a good option as they will have all of the proper protocols, including firewalls, encryption, and more.

Orange Crew Can Help You Migrate to the Cloud. Contact Your Trusted Orange County IT Services Company Now. Call (714) 510-2053 to Get Started.

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