Legal technology tips #4: Cloud software migration failures and successes
The final instalment in our 'Legal technology tips' blog series takes a close look at why software projects have a tendency to fail. We highlight the pitfalls to help you avoid the same fate. We also set out InQuo’s stall by outlining how hiring external consultancy and training support leads to software project success.
Software project failures and the spawning of InQuo
Having ascertained that SMEs are now keen to buy cloud systems, it’s important to note that some software projects still fail. When purchasing new software, there’s a tendency to concentrate only on the technology and data. Two absolutely vital factors get neglected, these being people and process.
To put this into perspective, imagine a boutique practice which offers a personal service comprising a series of actions completely bespoke to each client. If the practice purchased an all-singing, all-dancing case and document management system with highly automated workflow which removes human touchpoints and prevents deviation from the defined course, the software will flop.
This is just one example. There are multiple other reasons why software projects are disastrous, such as looking at technology from a single dimension as one user’s standpoint only, or instructing consultants who focus solely on being in and out as quickly as possible whilst charging extortionate sums for the privilege, or an avoidance of consultants altogether due to tendencies towards arrogance and condescending attitudes so that practices go it alone despite being without the skills to do so.
It’s for these amalgamated reasons along with the aforementioned 2011 challenges and all-encompassing cloud computing benefits that InQuo was established.
Created in 2014, our mission is to guide small law firms, usually up to around 200 users, through their essential software upgrade projects. It’s to pull together all the practice’s requirements, understand their business and culture, and ensure the software’s a perfect fit. It’s to look at technology and data, but also people and process, as these four factors operate together, not in isolation. It’s to build relationships that stand the test of time through the highs and lows. It’s to show we’re a different breed of consultants who charge reasonably and act responsibly in a caring way. It’s to recognise there is no one-size-fits-all approach to software, despite the ubiquitous overriding rules and regulations that govern us all, and each client’s individual needs are catered for. Ultimately, it’s to guarantee the best outcomes for clients who, by choosing InQuo, achieve outstanding financial performance and regulatory compliance too.
How InQuo makes ‘project magic’ happen
Our goals are summed up in our mission statement: We strive to empower, inform and inspire law firms to harness the power of technology, enabling them to adapt and refocus on the human element, by ensuring the best outcomes for their clients, employees, associates and communities alike.
We know our goals are ambitious, yet we accomplish them day in, day out. We’re able to realise our objectives because we employ people with like-minded aspirations to our founder, Nicola Moore-Miller; this being operating with honesty, professionalism, integrity and client-centricity always.
Our team members almost exclusively originate from lengthy legal backgrounds, drawn from every role in practice – paralegals, solicitors / attorneys, secretaries, IT managers, finance directors and bookkeepers. We understand the law. We understand your challenges. Our combined knowledge and skills allow us to tackle projects holistically on a practice-wide basis.
More importantly even, we deliver our consultancy and training services in a personable, collaborative, affordable and accessible method so that it’s a positive experience for every client from beginning to end. This refreshing approach to our business and our clients’ businesses is what sets us apart from other consultants. We’re different and proud of it.
In the intervening seven years since InQuo was formed, we’ve…
Grown from 2 to 25 employees located in two countries.
Expanded from a Cumbrian start up into a multinational organisation with bases across the UK, America and Ireland.
Moved from face-to-face to mostly online delivery, driven by Covid, becoming more sustainable and passing cost savings onto clients.
Aided over 1000 law firms, equating to 8500 people, with their transformational software projects.
Retained our client-centric stance, community ethos, core mission and industry passion.
Increased our service offerings to encompass software selection and implementation, LEAP Legal Software certified consultancy, general practice management, system health check, legal accounting best practices, project management and rescue, and business process re-engineering support.