More and more law firms are using cloud solutions. The most recent statistics available show that in 2018 nearly 55% of law firms used cloud solutions. That also leaves 45% who still don’t. In this article, we will give a short introduction to cloud solutions for law firms. We will look at some definitions and at the differences between public, private and hybrid cloud. We’ll discuss what solutions are available for law firms, as well as the pros and cons of cloud solutions.
The following definitions (in quotes) all come from Margaret Rouse from techtarget.com.
“Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that’s often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and diagrams.”
“A public cloud is a platform that uses the standard cloud computing model to make resources, such as virtual machines (VMs), applications or storage, available to users remotely. Public cloud services may be free or offered through a variety of subscription or on-demand pricing schemes, including a pay-per-usage model.”
When we think of the cloud, we typically think of the public cloud: online music and video streaming services as well as social media services are typical examples. Gmail, Google Apps, OneDrive, SharePoint, e.g., all are public cloud services. You probably already use the public cloud to store media (photos, videos, …), document, backups, etc.
“Private cloud is a type of cloud computing that delivers similar advantages to public cloud, including scalability and self-service, but through a proprietary architecture. Unlike public clouds, which deliver services to multiple organizations, a private cloud is dedicated to the needs and goals of a single organization.” Private clouds are typically used by major companies and educational organizations like universities who have their own IT departments. Law firms who use their own private cloud are rather rare. It typically only makes sense for large firms, with multiple sites and with their own full-blown IT departments, to even consider setting up private cloud servers.
What are the main differences between public cloud and private cloud solutions? With a private cloud, you are responsible for the entire acquisition, setup and management of the cloud solution. With a public cloud solution, your data are stored with the hosting provider who does the management and maintenance of the data centre. When choosing what is best for your law firm, you must take into consideration the overall cost (one-time vs. recurring), the data capacity, and the levels of reliability and security. For small to medium-sized law firms, a public cloud solution typically is recommended.
“Hybrid cloud is a cloud computing environment that uses a mix of on-premises, private cloud and third-party, public cloud services with orchestration between the two platforms. By allowing workloads to move between private and public clouds as computing needs and costs change, hybrid cloud gives businesses greater flexibility and more data deployment options.”
What cloud applications are law firms using? Most law firms who use cloud solutions use cloud versions of Law Practice Management Software. Most providers of Law Practice Management Software offer a package of standard solutions with optional extra modules. There also are providers who focus on just one aspect like case or document management, or backups, or accounting, … Two other areas where cloud solutions are commonly used are eDiscovery and Legal Research.
What are the benefits of cloud solutions, compared to the more traditional setups?
- Security: cloud hosting providers typically are more secure than local solutions. It is one of the most important reasons law firm decide to move to the cloud.
- For most law firms, cloud solutions are more cost effective: there is low upfront cost because you don’t need to invest in servers, and there is a low maintenance cost as the hosting provider takes care of maintaining the servers and the software.
- Cloud solutions typically have a simple setup and configuration: often it’s as easy as going online and signing up to be able to start working.
- Cloud solutions have built-in disaster preparedness which include off-site backups.
- Remote access: cloud solutions are accessible from anywhere and at any time, with any device with an Internet connection. Remote access also makes outsourcing and client portals easier.
- Scalability: cloud solutions can handle one-person law firms, as well as law firms with hundreds of users.
- Cloud solutions typically run on any platform.
- Cloud solutions offer automatic software updates.
There also are some cons:
- Internet access is required. If you don’t have Internet access, you can’t access your data.
- Recurring monthly or annual cost per head can be high for larger firms.
- You have no control over price increases.
Sources:
- searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-computing
- searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/public-cloud
- searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/private-cloud
- www.techopedia.com/definition/13677/private-cloud
- searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/hybrid-cloud
- www.expedient.com/blog/private-vs-public-cloud-whats-difference/
- www.abacusnext.com/difference-between-public-private-cloud
- www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2014/08/brief-cloud-computing-lawyers/
- www.mycase.com/blog/2019/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-ditching-law-firm-servers-in-favor-of-the-cloud/
- www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2019/06/deciding-between-public-and-private-cloud/
