Whenever a new technology is introduced in your practice, there will always be some kind of learning curve. New software is no exception, but remember that using innovative tools for your law practice will be worth it in the end.

Modern software improves workflows, increases law firm efficiencies, and makes your entire team more collaborative and productive. You’ll no longer have that frustration of outdated, slow, and buggy software, and everything will move quicker.

When migrating software, make sure you’re taking advantage of all the resources available to you. Here’s how to ease the transition.

1. Do your research

Before you migrate to a new software entirely, ensure that you’ve researched and explored it so that you’re getting exactly what you need.

NextChapter recommends making a list of must-have features in your legal software and then consulting an expert from the software company to make sure that the tool can meet all of your requirements. Consulting with a representative will also show you what else the software can do for your practice that you may not be aware of.

Common must-haves for legal software include:

• Cloud-based
• Firm and case management features
• In-app calculators
• A responsive support team

Before you take the plunge, make sure the software performs the way you need it to.

2. Attend training webinars

The transition can be easier if you’re already trained on how to use the new software. Most software companies will offer a live, personalized training demonstration for you so that everyone in your office is on the same page right off the bat. This also gives you and your team the chance to ask questions to the software experts.

NextChapter is happy to offer training webinars to annual plan subscribers, so you’ll be able to dive right in!

Another piece of advice is to continue to attend various webinars regularly, even after you’ve migrated. Typically, webinars are deep dives into certain areas of the software, and they can show you every detail and feature that you wouldn’t be aware of otherwise.

These specialized trainings are especially important so that you or a team member can become an expert on one feature of the software, unlocking even more potential for workplace efficiency.

NextChapter offers 2 to 3 customer success webinars per month that are focused on different aspects of the software, giving users the power to further automate their practice and improve workflows.

3. Read help center articles and downloadable guides

Software also comes with resources such as articles and guides that are often overlooked. But they can be the most in-depth resource out there, especially for certain sections of the software.

Read step-by-step instructions on using the software, even if it seems tedious and unnecessary. You can also take advantage of keywords in the searchable help centers online. For instance, in NextChapter's Help Center, you can search “SOFA Line 6” and you’ll see information about that specific section.

NextChapter has downloadable guides and a comprehensive help center to make migration easier. You’ll get users up to speed faster on every part of the application.

4. Contact support

Software companies almost always have a support team that’s ready to answer your questions. So why not take advantage of that resource? Give them a call or chat with them online and get instant, personalized support, which is usually the best way to resolve any hiccups you’re experiencing.

NextChapter has an in-app chat feature, in addition to a support phone line and email for users. It’s fast and easy to get your software questions answered.

Migrating software doesn’t have to be a lengthy, overwhelming process. Make sure you take advantage of all the resources available to you, and that you adequately train your legal team on the software’s ins and outs from the beginning.