We lawyers are constantly battling with the idea of practice management software. There are less than a half-dozen “major” players and though some of them have some sort of web feature, you’re pretty much tied to the computer or the network it’s installed on. Someone has to create a web based version – we’ve got too much wi-fi, high speed and broadband technology to be fooling around with installed software. If someone doesn’t do it…(if Google doesn’t do it), someone will.
First and foremost – it appears that the RocketMatter team is off to a great start. Still, I have a few questions that hasn’t been answered by reviewers or by RocketMatter’s blog directly.
Transitioning To RocketMatter
I’m a PCLaw user. I’ve got two license for myself and my assistant. I use the front office AND backoffice features. PCLaw has been annoying at times and it has an ugly interface, but it’s level of detail has been very helpful. (This post will not become a rant on PCLaw – I don’t have the time – I still use it because it’s cheap and reliable).
When I moved from Quickbooks to PCLaw, I thought it would be easy. PCLaw was really trying to “steal” the Quickbooks client base by promoting its automatic transition feature. Problem was, my QB version was too new! So I had to do it manually and it was painful. The thought of transitioning again to a new system just sounds like too much of a pain in the butt. If I was just starting my practice I would be all over RocketMatter. But PCLaw has a firm grasp on me for the moment. Does RM have an import/export system?
Backoffice Accounting System For RocketMatter?
My #1 reason for hesitating on Rocket Matter is that it doesn’t appear to have a backoffice/accounting system and alternatively, has not yet boasted about any way to export data for a backoffice system. Pull the Freshbooks API including a 2 way sync and Rocket Matter will turn some serious heads! I don’t use Freshbooks yet, but I’ve been dying to do so… then again, still can’t figure out how to transition just the backoffice portion of PCLaw either.
What about a message and comment system?
I thought I saw a way to add notes to a case, but a conversational messaging and commenting system would get the attention of us Basecamp users. Add the ability to invite clients to view their case progress and you’ll win over the lawyers who use basecamp in a heartbeat.
Document Management OR Document Automation
I say “or” because I haven’t seen a solid web based document management system yet, so I won’t demand the same from Rocket Matter. However, PCLaw’s “Qdocs” document automation feature is good – buggy – but good. Again, this isn’t a must from a web based system, but if you figure this out, you won’t be able to buy extra server space fast enough!
I’m sure they’ve thought of all of these ideas. Maybe they’ve got it under wraps for beta testing. Whatever the case may be… Rocket Matter has the potential to put the “big boy” practice management systems out of business!
Still, I’d like to see a few more features before I’m sold.
RocketMatter….what say you?
Disclosure: This site has an affiliate relationship with RocketMatter. If you actually buy RocketMatter we get a small commission.
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