Connectivity between technology systems is the biggest tech challenge for law firms, the Law Technology Survey by GlobalX Legal Solutions has revealed.
A whopping one in three practitioners were concerned about their organisation’s level of system integration.
Data security came in at number five, as the fifth highest technology issue affecting law firms, trailing behind cloud based technologies, mobile technology and electronic conveyancing.
“[Firms] are all being challenged by changing technology; there is a rapid migration to cloud technology,” said GlobalX Legal CEO, Peter Maloney.
“Even more rapid, and its very distinctive in the legal sector, is the rush towards open data bases and systems that enable the interactive ability of data.”
According to Maloney, all firms could do more to adapt to changing technologies, but he admits that the process is ongoing.
“Ultimately, it comes down to trust,” he said, adding that adapting to new technologies can be a complicated process for law firms.
“For firms that are still stuck in a model of having legacy software that has got closed data bases, doesn’t enable interaction with third party systems, they really are going to be left behind,” he said.
“Whenever we start to see topics around cloud computing, open data bases, interrupt ability of data, there’s always going to be that area of caution in that ultimately what people want to do is make sure that their data is secure so once that argument is had, then people are typically more comfortable with it.”
A new conveyancing system, PEXA, delivered by GlobalX Legal Solutions is expected to be a major platform used by Australian law firms over the next 24 months, with 60 per cent of firms expected to implement the new platform.
“PEXA will change the way property lawyers and settlement agents do business, helping to prevent transaction failure which is frustrating for agents and clients alike,” Maloney said.
