New Business Intake

It's vitally important that law firms take on new clients and matters efficiently. To do so, they must run several overlapping processes such as conflicts and credit checks. At the conclusion of the process, firms must quickly configure the applications attorneys use to create work product, record time, track expenses and collaborate.

But getting key business data such as client and matter codes into the right locations quickly can be a complicated, resource-intensive proposition. This problem is particularly acute in high matter volume practice areas such as intellectual property or transactional services.

The Problem

In most cases, when a firm brings on a new client or creates a new matter, timekeepers and staff begin work immediately. Unfortunately, the applications they depend on for support aren't as capable. Systems first need to be configured, matter numbers populated and entries updated. Ideally, legal applications should integrate and instantly share this information automatically. But they don't.

Instead, information is typically first entered in a centralized accounting system such as Elite or CMS. Next, dependent applications such as time tracking, document management, cost recovery and portals are updated. To do so, firms often rely on loosely-defined methods that may depend on:

• Informal Communication -- An accounting administrator may email change requests to one or more IT resources
• Manual Updates -- IT personnel may have to update multiple applications individually
• Custom-Built Scripts -- The firm may also have developed batch scripts to effect updates. These typically run on a delayed basis and must be closely monitored as a problem with one script can quickly result in a snowball of errors and omissions

When ad hoc approaches result in delays, errors or omissions it directly impacts attorney efficiency and satisfaction.

The IntApp Solution -- Integration Builder

Integration Builder makes it possible to instantly configure the applications attorneys depend on immediately upon new business intake. It also maintains data relationships across applications, so whenever client or matter data is changed, relevant systems are automatically updated.

Merger Integration