There’s no doubt you’ve heard about the benefits of cloud technology and how it can help you run a more efficient practice. It allows you and your team to work on-the-go on multiple devices – your information is easily accessible from home, the courthouse, your office, wherever you may be. It allows for seamless communication and collaboration among members of your staff, which leads to improved productivity. It’s cost-effective, eliminating the need for expensive servers and dedicated office space. Cloud capabilities can easily be expanded as your practice grows. With the undeniable benefits, why has your practice not moved to the cloud?
Could it be that just a cursory search of cloud options sent you straight down the rabbit’s hole? SaaS. IaaS. PaaS. Private cloud. Public cloud. Hybrid cloud. It’s mind-boggling and confusing. There are a lot of moving parts. And you’re busy. Besides, you didn’t hang out your shingle to become your firm’s computer whiz. You’ve got lawyering to do!
But the fact remains – we live in an age where business is performed and information is shared online. So, to compete in today’s market, you need to take a serious look at how cloud computing can help you grow your practice.
In layman’s terms, cloud computing is a service or software that is accessed through the Internet, rather than installed directly on your computer’s hard drive or on a server in your office. Your data is stored at the provider’s secure data center.
Chances are you’re familiar with public cloud applications such as Dropbox or Google Drive. But are these public cloud solutions right for a legal firm? Will your clients’ information be protected? Perhaps a private or hybrid cloud is a better option. How do you know? Who do you trust? Your seat at the Mad Hatter’s tea party is waiting!
Cloud computing is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It takes a certified IT professional who understands the nuances of the legal field to help you navigate the complexities of cloud technology. This is definitely an area you should trust to an expert.
Security is perhaps the biggest hurdle attorneys face when considering moving to the cloud. You deal with a lot of confidential client information – more than the average business owner. So protecting that data (and your livelihood) deserves special consideration. Because the legal profession is one of the most highly regulated industries, a breach in security would not only damage your reputation, but it will most likely land you in front of the state bar’s ethics committee. Nobody wants that.
Aside from the confidentiality issue, you need to be sure your data is protected from destruction via system failure, or natural/manmade disaster. The good news is that a reputable provider already has advanced security measures in place to protect your files.
In fact, having your data stored at a remote location is arguably safer than your computer’s hard drive or your server. Cloud providers typically employ elaborate security measures and multiple backups in their data center.
So what’s the verdict? Are you ready to explore cloud options for your legal practice? We can help you determine if you’re ready for the cloud with our Cloud Readiness Assessment, where we will conduct a high-level evaluation of your firm’s network and provide you with the information you need to make an educated decision. To learn more about how our Greenlight Cloud solution can help support and grow your practice, please call (678)745-5109.