Industry Specific Managed Service Needs for the Legal Industry

Technological advances and innovations in the way we work are everywhere and are having a huge impact on every sector. As the legal industry embraces technology and it begins to become more widely used, even the most traditional of law offices are finding that they need to adapt to these new ways of working.

However, law offices don’t always work in the same way as offices in other sectors, and not all lawyers or administrative support staff in the legal industry are ready to adapt seamlessly to new systems and new technologies. 

In the legal industry, more than most others, time is money, and frustrations and delays can be hugely damaging. Equally, security for legal offices is paramount, and while new technology can be a huge boost to protecting data, it can also open up vulnerabilities if not adequately managed. 

Investment in good technology and good IT systems is vital for a functioning law office. A managed IT service can provide everything necessary for a law office to be successful, from support and troubleshooting to security and compliance. We wanted to take a look at some of the industry-specific IT needs for the legal sector and how a managed IT service can help provide the best solutions.

What is a managed IT service?

Managed IT services are the management of continually evolving IT technology, administering industry-specific critical systems, and leveraging best practices and shared resources to positively impact user experience with IT. 

Managed services essentially run your IT infrastructure remotely, providing the right systems to improve productivity, protecting your organization with a cybersecurity strategy, and looking for ways to accelerate your business processes and help things run more smoothly. 

Managed IT services are able to be proactive about dealing with potential issues before they arrive, and tend to be more cost-effective than in-house IT staff, providing the equivalent of a full IT department for a fraction of the price.

How can a managed IT service help your law firm?

Adaptability

Modern technology moves fast, and innovations in the way we work are constantly being developed and put into action. Even the most traditional law firms will find that they need to stay up to date with the latest innovations in technology. A managed IT service can help legal businesses digitize business processes with fewer paper initiatives like the implementation of a document or case management systems and will integrate the latest advances smoothly and seamlessly. VC3 is obsessed with innovation and puts significant resources into researching and testing the very latest technology across sectors, so we know exactly how to help with practice management, innovative ideas for client services, document automation, and what might be the next big thing.

Security

Given the levels of confidentiality that surround the day-to-day work of a law firm, security is absolutely paramount in the legal industry. Protecting an organization from malicious actors and cyberattacks is an increasingly vital part of a law firm’s IT needs. A managed IT service provider will take a proactive approach to cybersecurity, looking to prevent attacks and stay ahead of cybercriminals, rather than just dealing with attacks when they happen. They can provide advice, support, and training for staff, as well as put appropriate measures in place and use the latest technology to keep a business safe and secure.

Compliance

Dealing with high levels of sensitive information and confidential data means that data security compliance is a key area for the legal industry. A good managed IT services provider can help law firms stay fully compliant when it comes to data storage and internal and external security. This is essential for law firms looking to provide services for larger financial institutions and banks. Compliance will provide added value to clients, giving them flexible payment options like paying their bills online.

Improving mobility

Modern law firms are increasingly finding it necessary to be more flexible and available even when not in the office. Access to information and documents while at court is a particular area that improved IT can help with. A managed IT services provider can put into place systems, software, and hardware that allow staff to meet with clients anywhere, access everything they need on the client matter, wherever they are in the world, and stay productive even when not in the office.

Productivity

Managed IT services providers can help improve productivity in a number of ways. Better IT systems and processes make things run far more smoothly and can increase efficiency. Better IT means less downtime when software or technology doesn’t work properly. A good managed services provider will help you consolidate multiple legal software programs that perform similar functions, allowing you to reduce licensing and support costs to keep your business ticking over at all times and even provide disaster recovery plans for worst-case scenarios, meaning you are covered whatever happens.

Cost savings

Ultimately, most law firms work with fewer staff than in most other industries, and the cost of having an in-house IT department can be prohibitive. With a managed IT services provider, law firms can have access to a remote IT department of over 200 staff, proactively managing your IT and providing solutions to all your technology business challenges at a fraction of the cost. 

At VC3, we are driven by our relentless pursuit of the success of others. If you feel that a managed IT services provider might be the right choice for your law firm, or you’d like to know more about how we can manage, protect, and accelerate your organization, get in touch.