How tech and niches work together

What problem do you need to solve?

First and foremost, you should only seek out a legal tech vendor when you know what you need to accomplish. If you just have a vague idea of improving workflow and efficiency, chances are that you’ll make a misinformed decision that could cost you in the long run.

For example, let’s say that you choose a vendor with a specialised tech solution. At first it seems to be working, but then you realise that the issue is more far-reaching and you need to shift your focus. In that case, you may have to scrap your current tech and opt for something a bit more comprehensive.

To put this into context, let’s say that you need software to help you manage case deadlines and timelines, so you contact a vendor that has a piece of tech for that exact problem. However, once you start using it, you realise that you also need a program that will help you digitise and manage documents as well. Unfortunately this vendor’s software doesn’t do that, so you need to either add another program to your operations or find one that does both.

In that case, you want to take the time to understand all of the various elements of the problems you’re facing. Try to take a step back and look at it from a broader perspective so that you’ll make the right choice for your firm.

Timing is essential

Another thing to consider is that you want to find legal tech vendors and test their software solutions before crunch time. If you’re struggling on a case and you need something fast, then it’s all too easy to pick something without researching it as much as you should. Instead, you should wait until you can do your due diligence.

Start from the bottom up

While firm partners will probably be the ones approving (or rejecting) the use of new legal tech, the fact is that they are not the ones that will benefit the most from it. Paralegals, receptionists and other people in the firm are likely to be using any new tools and software you adopt, so it’s imperative that their input is given suitable attention.

The best thing to do is to have the employees who’ll be using the program the most test it out first. Have them take notes and make suggestions of what will help them do their jobs, and then use that as a foundation for determining which software vendor is right for your firm.

Making decisions this way will not only ensure that everyone is on board with these adoptions, but it will also help facilitate the transition. When the people who use the software most are already familiar with it, they will be able to incorporate it into daily operations much faster.

Calculate the ROI

With so many legal tech vendors out there, it can be easy to get caught up in all of the features and benefits that they can provide. However, if you’re paying for extras that you won’t end up using, is the cost worth it?

This is another reason why timing is so vital. If you’re desperate to make a quick decision, you won’t be able to calculate the return on investment for any new legal tech you adopt. If you choose wrong, then it could hurt your bottom line significantly.

While it can be tricky to calculate ROI on things like operational efficiency, you should start by looking at how much time and labour can be saved with each new vendor you adopt. Also, look at how that impacts people within the firm and add up the savings across the board.

When comparing different tech solutions, see which ones will streamline operations the most. If one program can save an average of two hours per day while the other only saves one, then you have a clear choice.

Look at ratings

Finally, when picking out new software and legal tech solutions you don’t want to base your decision on the sales pitch and a few hours of trying it out. The fact is that you won’t know how everything will come together until you deploy it for the whole firm, and by that point it could be too late.

When looking at ratings and recommendations, pay attention to the tech side of things as well as the user-friendliness. How is the support? Can you call someone anytime if there’s a problem? How long does it take to train someone on the program?

The more questions you ask, the better an idea you’ll get about the capabilities of the software. Overall, you want to make as well informed a decision as possible.

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