Reliable, efficient, and secure technology is necessary for law firms to provide their clients with excellent service. But it is not necessary – or even advisable – for small and midsized law firms to manage their IT themselves. Unlike their larger counterparts, small and midsized law firms simply do not have the resources to properly build, optimize, support, and defend an enterprise-level IT system.

By partnering with a good managed IT service provider (MSP), you gain the expertise and capability of an entire in-house IT department, which frees your firm up to focus on what you do best: providing your clients with trusted legal counsel and representation.

Competition within the legal industry is fierce. Whether your goal is to attract new clients, retain talent, or improve efficiencies, law firms need every competitive advantage to thrive. Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is a cloud-based solution that firms can utilize to transform their IT and become more secure, mobile, and free to focus on their clients.

The wide-scale destruction wreaked by Hurricane Ian is a stark reminder that firms need to be prepared for a natural disaster. If a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, blizzard, flood, fire, or gas explosion destroyed or rendered your offices inaccessible, does your firm have a plan in place to ensure recovery of your data and continuation of your operations?

Ransomware attacks are ever-growing threats, and law firms need to be prepared. Becoming locked out of your network or applications creates a massive roadblock, costing your firm time, money, and even its reputation. Not only are ransomware attacks becoming more sophisticated, but they are increasingly directed at law firms due to the sensitive nature and high value of their data. If your firm is hit with a ransomware attack, should you pay the ransom?

Cloud-based solutions can benefit law firms in many ways, from streamlining workflows to facilitating remote access to enhancing security. Simple scalability is another hallmark of cloud computing. By migrating to the cloud, your law firm will gain the ability to scale your operations up or down seamlessly and efficiently as your business evolves.

A few years ago, a hybrid work environment in a law firm would have been rare, but today it is the norm. From a firm’s perspective, however, supporting this flexibility comes with its own challenges. Cybersecurity, remote access, and productivity, which are essential to efficient and effective law firm operations, can be compromised when attorneys and staff work from home or on the go. That’s where Desktop as a Service (DaaS) comes in. Many law firms have made the switch to DaaS in large part because of its effectiveness in supporting a hybrid work environment.

As the cloud computing market continues to expand, more law firms are turning to a cloud service provider for some or all of their IT needs. By partnering with a cloud service provider, law firms can realize many benefits, including increased cybersecurity, seamless access to systems from multiple locations, scalability, lower and more predictable costs, and access to a wide range of professional IT expertise. But for many law firms, switching their files, data, and applications from on-premises systems to a cloud hosted by a third-party provider may feel like a daunting task. Below is a roadmap for ensuring a seamless transition.

In today’s increasingly competitive legal environment, it is more important than ever for law firms to approach their IT as a strategic investment rather than a cost of doing business. By teaming up with a solutions-driven IT partner and involving the IT professionals in your law firm’s strategic planning process, you can develop IT infrastructure and applications that support your firm’s long-term operational needs and business goals. Law firms who invest strategically in IT can gain a competitive advantage over other firms when vying for both clients and top talent.

Just as your people, location, and corporate culture are intrinsic to how your law firm operates, so too is your IT. When an intrinsic part of your firm does not function well, it largely impacts your firm’s operations and the productivity of your attorneys and staff, ultimately influencing how clients view your firm. By approaching IT as a strategic investment rather than a cost and aligning IT with your operational needs and business goals, your firm can realize efficiencies while gaining a competitive edge.