Proclaim, the case and practice management tool of predominant choice within the legal sector, is something of a paradox.

Despite being hugely popular, many of its users are perplexed about how best to use the programme to improve the performance of their business.

Problems, however, always have solutions.

Here’s Robert Anderson, assistant head of software development and head of consultancy services at Zeus Tech Solutions, with five ‘hacks’ that make it easier to profit from Proclaim.

The devil is in the detail

Be thorough when it comes to correctly capturing data during a case’s lifecycle. Dynamic fields can be used to populate documents and forms in a consistent format, saving editing time and effort and making entries easier to subsequently review. Keeping data consistent is the foundation of powerful MI.

Relieve repetitive strain

Are you still manually sending out email chasers, SMS messages or adding standardised file notes after set tasks? Well don’t. Proclaim provides the option to automate actions, using definable parameters, that can remove needless repetition from your daily routine. These time savers might seem negligible, but they will add up to significant relief over the course of a year.

Join the dots

Having to use multiple platforms to manage a single case is a headache. Take, for example, someone having to search Anti-Money Laundering or credit check services, enter client information into an after the event portal and upload files to an electronic document service. That’s three instances of data being typed, or copied and pasted, that could be reduced to the click of a button with the successful integration of APIs [Application Programming Interface].

Track and train

Capturing key performance indicators with which to analyse the effectiveness of processes is of paramount importance. Accurately monitoring things like the typical turnaround time from a lead, to documents out the door and the return of signed papers can highlight inefficiencies and prompt interventions such as additional training.

Rapid reactions

Bespoke Case management systems afford users the ability to adapt quickly – be it to staffing or organisational changes or factors affecting an industry as a whole. Knowing how to modify processes and procedures using the software delivers both time and cost savings, especially lengthy waits, and time-hungry workarounds while software houses change their systems