he pandemic moved everyone online and prompted a drastic change in the way businesses function. For example, in 2020, 61% of businesses moved to the cloud due to COVID-19. The legal sector is no exception with 78% of law firms moving to the cloud as well.
Moreover, the pandemic has shown that the traditional way of working is no longer feasible or as efficient. Therefore, law firm cloud technology can help change the way legal firms operate to accommodate a world that is making the switch to online.
Law Firm Technology Challenges
Law firms are constantly facing new and evolving cybersecurity threats. In a 2021 survey, 25% of law firms reported that they had a security breach. In order to stay protected, lawyers need to have up-to-date security solutions in place. However, many firms are still using outdated storage solutions, which makes them more vulnerable to attacks.
Another challenge that law firms face is siloed processes. Because different departments might use different software applications, it can be difficult to share information and collaborate effectively.
These challenges are disruptive for an efficient law firm, but a great solution is cloud computing.
What Are the Benefits of Moving to the Cloud?
Law firm cloud technology can help overcome these challenges by providing a secure, centralized platform for storing and accessing data. Additionally, cloud-based solutions are often more collaborative and allow for easy information sharing. Also, the scalability of the cloud can help law firms keep pace with changing technology needs.
Some additional benefits of the cloud include the following:
- Remote access
- More cost-effective
- Enhanced security
- Off-site storage
- Disaster recovery solutions
Law firm cloud technology helps firms avoid paying $4.24 million for a data breach. Moving your office to the cloud is not only great for storage but for long-term security needs.
How Do I Move My Law Firm to the Cloud?
The best way to tackle moving your law firm to the cloud is by breaking the process down into these 5 steps.
1. Evaluate Your Needs
Before you move to the cloud, you need to evaluate your firm’s needs. Do your employees prefer remote work? If your firm needs remote options, then the cloud is great for virtual collaboration.
Other questions to consider include:
- What type of applications do you need?
- What kind of data do you need to store?
- How much storage space do you require?
2. Consider Your Budget
Law firm cloud computing can be a more cost-effective solution than maintaining on-site servers. Plus, the cloud can improve your budget in the following ways:
- Cheaper than on-site servers: Cloud computing helps your law firm avoid paying for expensive hardware for on-site servers.
- Pay for what you need only: You can opt into any plan that suits your law firm’s needs.
- Improves productivity: A Stanford study found that 13% of employees that used the cloud were more productive than their peers. With cloud computing, you’ll see similar results.
3. Choose the Right Provider
Not all cloud providers are created equal. When you’re looking for a provider, be sure to consider factors such as security, uptime, costs, and customer support. You need to partner with a provider that works well with your needs.
4. Migrate Your Data
Once you’ve chosen a cloud provider, you’ll need to migrate your data to the new platform. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, so be sure to plan for it early. As an estimate, budget at least four weeks before going live and set up a system for making the transition easy.
5. Train Your Staff
Your staff will need to be trained on how to use the new cloud-based applications. Be sure to allow for sufficient time and resources for this training process. Also, select someone in your office to lead the transition and be the go-to person for any questions.
Although making the time now to switch might seem difficult, putting in the effort to change to cloud computing is a great investment for the future. You will be pleased to find that your law firm will run smoother and be further protected from security breaches.
Optimize Your Law Firm Cloud Technology with Fresh Managed IT
Your law firm’s security and storage are both important to protect and provide. At Fresh Managed IT, we won’t just move you to the cloud, we’ll monitor and optimize it for you, ensuring you have the best customized solutions for your business, always.
