What to consider with legal document management platforms

From big firms to small practices, law offices are increasingly aware of the need for a comprehensive document management solution in today's legal world. However, there are so many options that firms might not always know what's going to work best for them, based on a litany of needs. Finding the right answer will likely require some research.

Generally speaking, law firms would be wise to seek out software options that allow them to track documents throughout their organizational infrastructure – with the help of workflows – so they can monitor who's accessing or changing what information on an ongoing basis, according the American Bar Association Journal.

Unique needs
For legal professionals, when physical documents must be scanned into these platforms, there is often a need for two things: flexibility and ongoing usability, the report said. That means it may be necessary to empower employees with remote scanning capabilities, and also to ensure all documents uploaded into a system are rendered fully searchable, automatically, so paralegals and lawyers don't have to spend a lot of time combing through dense case files.

What about security?
Meanwhile, the added benefit of using a document management platform is that these systems reduce security risk, according to Find Law. Physical files loaded with sensitive can go missing from time to time, be destroyed in fire or flood, and even be stolen. The risks of these issues are greatly diminished by storing files digitally, either on-site or in the cloud. And while most states require physical documentation for court proceedings, meaning it's important to keep the originals even after scanning files, these platforms still provide an added layer of certainty.

When decision-makers are examining all their options, they may be wise to look at pain points their practices have already experienced, and determine what options may be out there to address them specifically.