Legal Time and Billing Software

FAQ: "With so many legal time and billing software vendors out there, what really differentiates RainMaker from the others?"

Answer: In business for more than 38 years, RainMaker legal time and billing software is a reliable, customer-service centered provider. RainMaker was the first time and billing software provider, within the legal market, to partner with Microsoft, the technological standard, and the company has had a long-standing relationship with them ever since; further proof that RainMaker is a reliable, proven company.

In addition to reliability and a reputation for excellent, hands-on customer service, there are many technical features that differentiate RainMaker's time and billing software from the competition. Here are just a handful that you will find in RainMaker's newest release, Platinum 8.0, a legal time and billing software system built specifically with the mid-large sized law firm in mind:

1. Microsoft® .NET Technology as a Core with Microsoft SharePoint Integration:

Savvy IS departments are insisting on a Microsoft .NET architecture. It reduces the cost of system management, improves reliability and insures technology support. RainMaker's software is fully Microsoft-centric which means Platinum 8.0 is built completely on Microsoft .NET technology. The 8.0 system utilizes .NET framework 2.0 and is optimized to perform on Microsoft's new SQL Server 2005 database. Microsoft .NET technology reduces the cost of ownership. For example, RainMaker's new "Update Wizard" allows a law firm to substantially reduce IT costs by retrieving new program files from a secured RainMaker portal and, with a single-click, update their system.

2. Ultimate Reporting Flexibility:

The number one frustration faced by legal time and billing system users is the inability to get useful information in the format they want. Some time and billing legal software vendors respond with very expensive 3rd party products like Business Objects, clumsy ODBC type Excel connections or more commonly expensive custom programming and they will attempt to sell a wide range of expensive reporting software licenses (“I’ll take 3 development and 5 viewer licenses”). With hundreds of new reporting options and full integration with the new Microsoft® Office SharePoint Server (MOSS), with Platinum 8.0 legal time and billing software can access actionable, relevant information from the desktop, in real time. Tools such as report writing should be provided as firm-wide licenses at no additional fee. All reports across all modules and technologies should be available in native Excel formats, not downloads. Financial reports should be available in Excel Pivot Tables, without the user understanding how to build them. Can all of your time and billing system reports be scheduled for automatic electronic email distribution? Why not?

In addition, the all new budgeting module in 8.0 gives law firms an easy and effective way to manage timekeeper budgets, including new SmartAlert notifications for Key Performance Indicators.

3. Two-way Integration with Outlook Exchange:

It sounds so easy, yet very few time and billing systems offer full two-way integration with Microsoft® Outlook/Exchange Server. Attorneys should be able to add contact names and docket events into Outlook for immediate updating into the marketing database and main docket system. It is relatively easy to export this information into Outlook. Starting in Outlook is a totally different world. Your vendor needs to provide validation look-ups for such items as client and matter names, docket type events, branch offices, etc. More advanced legal time and billing systems will also provide fail-safe features such as an email alert to the system manager if the Exchange Server fails to write data to the core system, and a way to re-run the entries that were not updated.

4. Workflow and the New Client Intake Process:

One of the least automated processes in a law firm is new matter intake. It just sort of happens. It is almost impossible to manage as it involves duplicate data entry into dozens of different systems and costly delays. With today’s electronic new client intake workflow tools, firms can manage the entire process. New client information is entered only once, approvals are done via email and client work can begin the moment final approval takes place; saves valuable staff time and money.

5. Simplified Navigation and Practical Applications:

With split-party and threshold billing and discount enhancements, 8.0 legal time and billing software enables firms to simplify otherwise cumbersome billing practices and provide attorneys with the flexibility to negotiate more favorable billing arrangements with their clients. In addition, Platinum 8.0 simplifies user access with Microsoft’s new single sign-on technology; users can now bypass login screens, while maintaining full security.

New bill editing options and capabilities enable law firms to comfortably distribute the billing process, yet maintain centralized control. New features include enhanced graphic bill designs, entire bill spell checking and global word search and replace features. Additionally, Platinum 8.0 provides advanced options to simplify everyday tasks such as global address changes and attorney assignments.

In addition to RainMaker Platinum 8.0s core time and billing software functionality, this legal software includes integrated practice management and business intelligence modules enabling users to operate the law firm, increase efficiency, monitor performance against key business goals and make more informed decisions; facilitating firm growth. In total, there are more than 400 new items touching 20 modules in Platinum 8.0 legal time and billing software which include:

Time and Billing	Graphic Bill Designer
Accounts Payable & General Ledger	Trust Accounting
e-Billing Module	Active Reports Developer and Viewer
Validator/Devices for 3rd Party Interfaces	Management Reporting Package with Bursting
Core Relationship Management Module	Attorney Desktop Time and Expense Entry
Case Manager Docket & Calendar Module	Marketing/Mail List Management Module
Conflict Avoidance/Search Module	A/R Collections with Wizards Module
Microsoft Outlook/Exchange 2003 - 2 way integration	Web and Standalone Time Entry
BI .NET - Business Intelligence with Data Warehouse	Digital Scorecards
New Case Electronic Entry & Work Flow Module	Zoom .NET Inquiry Module