Cicero Lawpack lightens your work load. The software is constructed logically and consists of a solid set of modules:
Contact / Person Management
This module is the very heart of Cicero Lawpack. It keeps track of all data with regard to physical and legal persons, and gives you complete freedom in their management. You can define different groups and you can quickly find information using different search criteria. A well-maintained database of contact information that is easily searchable is, after all, the cornerstone of any well functioning law firm.
Case Management
Once the records for the persons have been created, a case file can easily be put together. The file consists of a number or a name, and can keep track of unlimited additional data:
- opening date,
- type of business,
- who handles the business,
- rates,
- and location.
- etc
From this module one can process texts, manage jobs and appointments, manage the digital file, retrieve accounting information from the file. All processed documents can be automatically stored in the digital file.
Fee Rates
Here, again, CICERO Lawpack gives you complete freedom while maintaining an accessible overview:
You can create different jobs:
Each job can have its own rate, which can be charged as either a flat fee or per time unit.
You can work with different performers:
In cases with more than one performer, the fees of each performer can be assigned with a percentage factor. This allows the price of the job to change. A new intern may work, e.g. at 60% of the normal price, while the work of a senior partner with broad expertise could be charged at 150%. This allows you to easily manage the overall rates per employee / partner.
You can define a 'percentage factor' for each case:
Urgent cases or cases that require a certain expertise, e.g., could be assigned a percentage factor at which fees will be charged. That way you don't run the risk of losing yourself while having to keep track of countless types of jobs and rates.
Document Processing
When a file has been selected in the case management, a module called "process document" can be started. All information in the file then becomes available in Word or Outlook. You do not need to type in or retrieve any addresses, fax numbers, e-mail addresses, references, etc. All information on the various parties can be automatically entered into various standard models. The time saved and the exclusion of mistakes are very important in office administration.
Once the document has been processed in Word or Outlook, you can immediately register the costs and time spent on the file, and comments may be added, which may or may not appear on the invoice. The document together with any appendices can be automatically saved in the file. The case calendar can be consulted and adjusted during correspondence.
Standard Letters and Documents:
Cicero Lawpack brings it all together
Working with standard letters and documents is a real time saver.
You can use your own Word documents, which contain the Cicero Lawpack merge codes. Data from the database are then filled out automatically in the document.
Using custom designed functions, you only have to enter the merge codes into the template once, and you will receive the data for each client separately. All standard documents can be stored in a logical tree structure. The user determines the hierarchical structure.
Joblogger: logging jobs = making money
At any time the jobs (tasks) you've performed in a case can be logged into the case file. This applies both to the real time spent and to the time you want to invoice. For jobs that are charged per time unit, you can even use a handy timer .
Does your office work with external collaborators whose performances need to be billed?
Through your secure web site you can allow your collaborators to log the jobs they've performed in your cases. They can only see their own performance in the case and have no access to the other overviews.
The benefits to you are:
- The collaborators register their own jobs .
- Fewer jobs are forgotten.
- You can improve the quality and speed of your invoices .
- You have a clear overview of the job performance of your collaborators .
JobLogger mobile: log them anywhere, at any time
How often do you receive calls from your clients on your mobile, and how often do you get a call on your mobile phone that was relayed from the office? Are these telephone conversations logged as jobs? Are you sure they will not be forgotten when you bill your client?
With the JobLogger Mobile module you can rest assured. Now you can record your phone calls or other messages from your iPhone, iPad or Blackberry! Through your secure web site you can log these jobs directly into CICERO LawPack.
Billing
CICERO LawPack gives an overview of the cases with outstanding billable items.
You can filter this list using various criteria such as a dominus litis, a minimum amount, etc.
The amounts can always be changed before billing.
All invoices can be manually modified, if necessary.
All billed invoices are automatically processed in the accounts.
Once an invoice is final, it is automatically registered in your accounting. You do not need to enter it separately via the sales journal.
Reminders are automatically set for all bills entered.
The billed fees can be linked to separate ledger accounts per collaborator. You can thus track turnover and do profitability calculations at any time. Here, too, it is possible to filter the information per minimum amount, etc.
Accounting
CICERO LawPack has complete company accounts and financial accounts.
The sales invoices can be automatically processed by the billing module. Invoices of purchases can automatically be processed as jobs or expenses in a case. Overviews can be obtained per customer, per supplier, per ledger number, per file, per lawyer. CICERO LawPack gives you a trial balance with the associated totalling accounts. You can easily export this information to Excel.
With the Direct Banking module you can pay the purchasing invoices or transfer money to third parties online.
You no longer have to look up the account numbers or references of the beneficiaries. Once your bank account has been debited, the payments can be automatically processed in the financial journal. You only have to take care of the incoming payments.
Advancing costs for your client ? Everything under control!
All purchasing invoices are automatically included in the invoices to the client. The monitoring of outlays is thus watertight.
Overview of third-party accounts:
You can obtain an overview of all files in which money still has to be paid to third parties. From here you can make simple payments to people included in the digital file.
The CICERO LawPack accounts are able to manage the accounts of different offices.
These offices can use one and the same database for all other modules. The accounting can be done totally separately, however. Within one set of accounts, a number of financial years can be managed at the same time. In a new financial year, an overview of all outstanding customer and supplier invoices can always be obtained. The balance sheet accounts can be carried forward automatically and manually.
Debt Collection/Debtor Control: don't leave them unattended!
CICERO LawPack has a very extensive debtor monitoring program. The debt collection module monitors all unpaid accounts.
The billing conditions can be stored per customer:
- Fixed or variable interest, depending on a period
- Minimum interest
- Fixed or variable compensation clause, depending on the amount
- Minimum and maximum compensation clause
- Administrative costs, ...
Every file has its own monitoring (follow-up) sheet.
It shows all debts and payments already made. There is a direct link to accounts for the incoming third-party accounts and costs. Every payment can be imputed according to separate imputation rules.
All information can be automatically processed in standard letters.
An extensive reporting module provides all types of information on the status of the debt. You can print or export this information to MS Excel, Lotus, HTML or publish it on your own web site for optimum communications with your customer.
Automated follow-up procedures
It ensures that all files in which an action has to be taken are monitored accordingly.
All debtor data can be read in digitally.
You can receive your customer files by file. Data on the debtor, claims and payments no longer have to be entered manually. Once you have made certain agreements with your client/customer, the entire administration can be done automatically.
Reporting: you are always fully informed
You determine what management information you want to see, how it is presented to you, as well as the frequency. The possibilities are too numerous to list but can be summarized in the following categories:
- accounting
- productivity: see e.g. the performance per employee
- return: see e.g. the yield of a particular case
- financial analysis
You can manage all reports for each type of user and retrieve them anytime, anywhere, even on a mobile. You can print them and export them to e.g. Excel, or publish them (securely) on your web site
Calendar (Agenda): direct link between record and Outlook
If you're working in a particular case, you can book an appointment. That appointment will automatically appear in your Outlook calendar and therefore also on your iPhone.
Contacts mobile
How often do you call your office to ask for somebody's contact details? With CICERO LawPack, you can request this information through your secure web site on your iPhone, iPad, or Blackberry via the 3G network or any other wireless Internet connection.
Addresses are also automatically linked to Google Maps, which can be useful when visiting a client.
