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War of the Smart Phones: BlackBerry versus iPhone: which is the “smartest” for the business of law

By on September 25, 2011

I am sure this Blog post has been done before, but I really wanted to weigh in. At my company, the smart phone camp is somewhat divided. We have quickly dropping few “retro” smart phone users who prefer the Blackberry’s solid calendaring and Outlook capabilities and then we have the “newbies” who appreciate the flash and function iPhones and Androids have to offer. I made the switch from an ill-conceived Windows Mobile 6 phone to an Android Motorola Droid 2 Global and I’m happy with it. It has so many cool bells and whistles and I like the “pimped out” apps that come along with it. On a business level, the Blackberry has a long history, seems more solid, it’s been around longer and it seems more secure. So, really, based on facts alone, what smart phone is really better for the business of law? Let’s take a look (side: the following comparison is based on the BlackBerry Bold 9930 vs. iPhone4 (the iPhone5 will be released soon but specific specs are not yet 100% available) :

 

 

Features Blackberry Bold 9930 iPhone4
Security BlackBerry has traditionally been more secure than the iPhone. Case in point (and I read this on another Blog), it is used by the President and other government organizations. iPhone4 is more secure than its predecessors. According to the website: “All apps run in a safe environment, so a website or app can’t access data from other apps… iOS 4 works with Microsoft Exchange and standards-based servers to deliver over-the-air push email, calendar, and contacts. iOS 4 protects your data by encrypting information in three separate areas: in transmission, at rest on the device, and when backed up to iTunes. You can securely access private corporate networks through industry-standard VPN protocols.”
Calendaring A virtual full agenda planner. Offers fewer calendar views and fields.
Email Connectivity to the Microsoft Exchange server and the ease of mobile email make BlackBerry a better option for business, although iPhone is catching up. In 2009, the iPhone became compatible with Exchange Server, and it supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync accounts for business use, which makes it more business friendly. 
Battery 1230 mAh removable/
rechargeable lithium-ion batteryCDMA Talk Time: up to 6.6 hours
CDMA Standby Time: up to 12.8 daysSolid battery life. Users can usually make it through the day on one charge.		 Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery Talk time:Standby time: Up to 300 hours Internet use:Up to 6 hours on 3GUp to 10 hours on Wi-Fi

 

With all of the apps and screen size, the iPhone tends to suck up more battery power than the BlackBerry. With all of the “toys” included, it’s probably because the iPhone user can’t put it down.
Storage 768MB RAM, 8 GB eMMC,
Expandable memory: Up to 32 GB uSD card(optional) 		 16GB or 32GB flash driveThe iPhone has more storage, a faster CPU and more RAM making it a great candidate for game playing.
Keyboard Choice of touch screen and tactile buttons. Touch screen.
Video Can play videos, but no built-in video phone capability. iOS 4 integrates video chat into the phone over Wi-Fi
Web Browsing Small screen size. Tedious mobile browser.  Large display; multi-touch system. Touch screen makes the experience easier.
Apps Not super strong app-wise, but it does have the ones that lawyers need, including timekeeping and calendaring. Yes, there is an app for this and that.
Versatility Come in every shape, size and a few colors. You can get the Pearl flip phone or a new Storm touch screen or the standard Curve and it tends to be pretty durable. What you see is what you get. Touch screen it is, in black or white. And, sometimes that touch screen can crack very easily if dropped, etc.

 There you have it. At first glance, it seems the BlackBerry is a better option for legal business users; however my suspicions are that Blackberry users are flocking to the iPhone because it’s really cool. Security was once a major issue for the iPhone but it seems they have beefed up the security, especially while using apps.

 The BlackBerry was the stalwart provider, but, after reporting a very poor 2nd quarter this week with zero cash from operations one can only wonder how much longer they’ll even be a relevant competitor. I’d actually like to trade in my 3G Android for a Verizon LTE 4G phone, I’m just concerned about the cost of the data plan. How about you are you still using a Blackberry, why?

 

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Categories: Productivity, Technology, Uncategorized

How to get money for “old” tech gadgets

By on August 14, 2011

Ready to buy that new iPhone, how would you like to get $200 for your Motorola Droid X phone or $100 for your iPhone 3G (8GB)?

 All of us tend to replace our still good tech toys with newer models on a regular basis. Luckily there are now 3rd party resellers who will pay cash for yesterday’s great “must have’s”.

 For example Amazon will give you $200* for an iPad Wi-Fi (16GB), just go to amazon.com/trade-in, you’ll get a store credit deposited into your account. They will even send you a shipping box and special paperwork. Buybackworld.com will pay you $143* for that Motorola Droid X.

 Another interesting possibility is Best Buy’s Buy Back program, for example for $69.99 you get a buy back guarantee of up to 4 years on a new TV. Nothing is older than a 4 year old HD TV if you are a big sports fan, somehow 42”’s just isn’t as big as it used to be.

 * As reported in July Laptop magazine

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Categories: Technology

Tablet Warfare – The 1st Inning

By on February 13, 2011

The iPad is getting a lot of attention lately in the market, including law firms. There is no debate that Apple has captured the “first to market” award with a product that is typical Steve Jobs, excellent attention to detail. Will the iPad just crush all other tablets, how can anyone compete against this head start?

 But this battle is just starting, need I draw a comparison to the Apple iPhone launch, how could anyone catch it, well Google Android did pretty quickly. The smart phone market is also just getting started and there’s a lot more to come.

 Here are some observations about Tablet warefare;

  1. There are few choices today for a tablet. The iPad is available from AT&T along with Verizon. The Samsung Galaxy is the only Android tablet and it’s available from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. Not all Android apps run well on the Galaxy, many won’t run full screen and aren’t designed for the 1024 x 600 resolution. The Galaxy is about 2/3rd the size of an iPad, almost half way between a smart phone and the iPad.
  2. Upcoming products announced include the Blackberry Playbook with a new OS, HP TouchPad webOS, Viewsonic ViewPad (Windows 7 or Android), Dell Streak (Windows 7 or Android), LG G-Slate (Android) and Motorola Zoom (Android).
  3. Expect the smart phone providers to just jump into this market, including HTC. Don’t forget about Amazon, it’s hard to believe that they will sit by idly and watch their Kindle market evaporate.
  4. Microsoft is the 800# gorilla that just doesn’t seem to be coming to the party. Windows’s designed for a keyboard and mouse just doesn’t fit very well into the touch screen world. When a user touches a text field they expect the virtual keyboard to pop-up on the lower half of the screen, no one wants to click a separate icon. Designs like the Start Menu, the Tray, Minimize/Exit of a Window just aren’t made for fat fingers. Besides, how do you right-click on a touch screen, or select a sub-menu on a Ribbon bar? The early Windows strategy was to use handwriting recognition as a key data input method, pleeeese – I can’t read my own writing, how’s Windows going to do this?
  5. If Microsoft wants to play in this league they need Windows specifically made for a touch tablet and do this without a complete of Windows software that was designed to run with the older input methods. W e’ll see what Windows 8 offers beyond IE9, and don’t forget about Google Chrome for a Tablet.

 This battle is just starting, it’s only the first inning of the first game, and this isn’t over yet. What are your thoughts on the Tablet market?


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Categories: Productivity, Technology, The Legal Market

“iPad and the Apple – The Pros and Cons of Mac-king it”

By on February 8, 2011

The post holiday doldrums have set in, the credit card bills have arrived, and techno-geeks everywhere are enjoying their new toys. Apple wins again; this time with the iPad, the iPod Touch and the iPhone 4. I will admit, I am a PC and proud of it. But, the uproar Apple products cause sparks my interest. Although I think PCs are superior to Macs, especially in a law firm environment, I would like to be educated on this opinion.  So here’s my take on the main differences between Macs vs. PCs and how viable is this product in the law firm environment.

  1. The first thing that comes to mind is that Mac just looks slicker.
    There’s a reason the Mac commercial features a cool beatnik type guy and PC is a buttoned up nerd. Macs are cool. They have a bright screen, with the backlit Apple symbol and especially appealing keyboard buttons. Apples are well designed computers and PC companies have spent a lot of time trying to catch up, but never do. Advantage Mac.
  2. Macs allow the user to run two operating systems. PCs do not.
    The Mac user is able to run both OS X and Windows. PC’s do not enable users to run OS X (as far as I know). OS X is the operating system in a Mac. It is user friendly and efficient, Windows 7 tries to close the gap, but never will.  A user can choose to use Windows as the operating system on a Mac. Advantage Mac.
  3. PCs are compatible with more software than Macs.
    When it comes to legal software or any other kind of software for that matter, as of now, PCs are the way to go. Many software companies are not Mac-centric. Most software is designed to run on a Microsoft operating system and although Macs have plenty of applications that work with them, outside software vendors can’t “break through”. This could be especially difficult in the legal arena where time and billing software, and document management are key enterprise products running in the firm. Advantage PC.
  4. Price tag – PCs are generally cheaper and more customizable.
    PCs can be built from the ground up (I’ve done it before). The same amount of RAM, hard drive capacity and processor can be purchased for a lot less in a PC than in a Mac. PCs are also much easier to customize. Individual components can be added very easily and RAM, etc. can be added on for little cost. Advantage PC.
  5.  Macs retain their value.
    Whereas used PCs are a dime a dozen, Macs are well made and tend to retain their value better than PCs. They tend to be easier to sell; both the parts and the unit themselves. Advantage Mac.
  6. Macs are user friendly.
    As aforementioned, I am a hard core PC user. I’ve heard, though, that Macs are very easy to use. They are intuitive and well made. I always think of Macs as better suited for creative types, but it seems they have become more mainstream and tweaked design and other interfaces for the computer “layperson”. Advantage Mac.
  7. It is easier to upgrade with a PC.
    Honestly, more businesses use PCs. They are cheaper and easier to upgrade and there are more choices. Mac users are limited to the Apple product line and often upgrades are expensive and cumbersome. Advantage PC.

I guess when it’s all said and done, Macs vs. PCs is a matter of choice. It does seem that most firms, and businesses in general, are using PCs and, to me, for good reason. They are cheaper, more customizable and run more software applications. If you have a different opinion, I’d love to hear it. As more and more applications move to the cloud, the desktop may not be as important as in the past.

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Categories: Legal Marketing, Productivity, Technology, The Legal Market

Streamline your Way to Bigger Margins – #3 -“Is your Time Slipping Away?” – Time Capture Best Practices

By on October 19, 2010

This ongoing series will visit small (and large) overlooked ways firms can save (or gain) money that can add up to big dividends.

A few months back, I wrote a blog entry about law firm time entry. In it, I outlined the results of a survey on time entry and some best practices attorneys can use to avoid “leakage” or “slippage”. One of the points was “If you have a mobile attorney, let them try a Blackberry or iPhone time capture app; see if it will help improve productivity.” Since mobile applications are used for just about everything these days, I thought I would expound on the benefit of using mobile time capture to avoid slippage, and achieve the most accurate time capture possible.

To begin, what exactly is “slippage”? Although there are many different types of slippage (in stocks, foreign exchange, etc.), law firms experience this phenomenon when they simply don’t bill clients for the work performed. This can occur when work is forgotten, small amounts of time are not recorded that may add up to large amounts of time and/or work is underestimated. Slippage is a real issue that negatively affects revenue and may lead to longer billing cycles, and an overall poor reflection on an attorney’s time management skills.

There are many contemporaneous time capture strategies the mobile attorney can implement to avoid slippage, here are a few:

  • This seems like a no-brainer, but find a mobile time capture tool that not only allows you to create time entries at any time, but also interfaces with the firm’s billing system, saving the time spent re-keying, or keying, billable time.
  • Utilize automatic time capture applications that allow users to record time automatically based on the medium, e.g., phone call, email, etc.
  • Make sure the mobile application has an automatic reporting feature. This will allow you to quickly review time spent on specific client and matters and then simply feed it into your time and billing system.
  • Mobile applications not only help lawyers to actualize all billable hours, they also make it possible to get back to clients right away. In this day and age, stellar customer service is one of the primary keys to client retention.
  • Go beyond the “normal” PDA applications and utilize the technology to the fullest extent. For example, some BlackBerry phones offer digital dictation, document review, work product retrieval, etc. This is another great use of down time while on the road.
  • Don’t be afraid to explore the firm’s existing technology. There may be compatible features that an attorney may not know about – these features can help save time and, of course, help to increase productivity.

    These are just a few small things the mobile attorney can implement to increase client satisfaction, make the best use of time and decrease slippage overall.

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Categories: Best Practices, Financial Management, Law firm billing, Practice Management, Technology, The Legal Market

Survey on Law Firm Time Entry

By on July 7, 2010

The survey on law firm time entry caught my eye this morning.

The survey was sponsored by Adam Smith, Esq., and Smart WebParts.  Of the 155 respondents, 86 were partners, 72 were associates, and 51 were senior staff at firms with titles such as CFO, CIO, Executive Director, etc.

Here are some statistics cited:

  • The average “leakage,” that is, lawyers and other timekeepers failing to report all billable time, ranges from $20,000 to nearly $40,000 annually, per individual.
  • The “overhead” costs of keeping time are very heavy, with a mean 3.1 hours/month per individual devoted to filling out timesheets. The mean billing rate of respondents was $438/hour, indicating an imputed cost of $16,294 per person per year.
  • Clearly, significant efficiencies could be gained if streamlined time entry systems were available.

So how efficient are timekeepers in this survey, let’s see.

How long it takes to actually do TE’s at 3.1 Hours/mo. (186min/mo.):

Example #1   12 TE’s per day x 22 days/mo. = 42 seconds/TE

Example #2 (TE requiring task codes) 24 TE’s per day x 22 days/mo. = 21 sec/TE

Sure seems to me that this might be pretty efficient, especially for an attorney who has to try and remember in some level of detail what he or she did a few days or weeks ago .

So how can firms make attorneys even more efficient?

  1. Insist on daily time entries, it must be easier to recall details if you are entering your time as the work is performed.
  2. Provide attorneys with the proper tools and train them how to use the tools. For example, some vendors allow time entry right from within Outlook, where attorneys are spending a good bit of time already.
  3. Provide attorneys with short-hand codes unique to their practice. They just enter a code and the narrative explodes out into an entire description that they helped create.
  4. If you have a mobile attorney, let them try a Blackberry or iPhone time capture app, see if it will help improve productivity.
  5. Have the partnership set strict rules requiring attorneys to have their time in “on time” with some sore of penalty for non-compliance. Set an example at the partner level by adhering to the policy.

The better the time entry, the better chance the bill will go out sooner, the better the chance the client will pay it sooner.

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Categories: Best Practices, Financial Management, Practice Management, Productivity, Technology, The Legal Market
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