After evaluating practice management software as a service (SaaS) in the October 2011 issue of Law Technology News, I sent a request for information to LexisNexis, Orion Law Management Systems, and Thomson Reuters so I could compare their PM software installed in midsize law firms (50+ attorneys). The aim was to investigate what is keeping midsize firms from ditching their onpremise software for the perceived benefits of cloud-based PM, to lower costs of licensing and software maintenance. The answers I received in the chart below tell me “it’s not about matter management, stupid” — it’s about the business of law. SaaS-based and on-premise PM software manage matters and link them with calendar and task management. What sets midsize offerings apart are the full-featured accounting packages (with accounts receivable and payable), along with software for docketing and calendar rules, conflicts management, and contact relationship management with marketing features. These systems offer deep integration with a firm’s back-office infrastructure, such as Microsoft Exchange, SQL, and SharePoint, as well as front-office tools, such as Microsoft Office. All of the vendors have mobile client software, but only Time Matters has builtin support with its Mobility Service for Apple, Google, Microsoft, and RIM devices. Orion and ProLaw use third-party software tools. Costs vary with different modules and add-ons, but all the vendors offer bulk discounts from the initial purchase price. The LexisNexis price includes the first year of maintenance.

http://orionlaw.com/lib/fn/LTNCompareContrastMidsizeLawFirmPracticeManagementSoftware.pdf