Law Technology

Congratulations STI (Tabs 3 / PracticeMaster) on 30 Solid Years!

By Ross

Can anyone name ANY other legal technology-focused company that has either:

1. Been around for 30 years?
2. Has had consistent ownership for 30 years?

I’m reasonably certain that other than STI, better known as the publishers of long-time stalwart market leaders Tabs 3 Billing and the potent PracticeMaster practice management system, there are none who can make this claim. 30 years in the technology industry probably translates to 100 years in more “traditional” industries. It’s an incredible accomplishment.

But it’s the ownership and leadership that matter. With almost every legal technology company having been bought and sold, some multiple times (i.e. the products f/k/a PC DOCS and iManage, for example?), STI is a model of stability. And stability matters. Stability = consistency of vision. Stability = rich and deep industry relationships with the “co-opetition,” consultants, influencers and the media. Brad Berlin, Dan Berlin, Ken Merkt and most recently Scott Baird own STI. Brad founded the company in 1979 based on the first CP/M-based, 8″ floppy-stored version of what was then known as Tabs III (now Tabs 3). Brad is the active CEO of the company, brother Dan Berlin is the President. Maybe it’s clean Midwestern living, but whatever the explanation, they’ve accomplished what no other company has in our industry - 30 years and nothing but a look far ahead.

If it’s not already obvious, I’m an unabashed fan. Not only of the product line (which I feel is now the de facto leader in the under 50 atty marketplace for billing and practice management (not necessarily in terms of seats yet with respect to the latter, but I see more firms migrating FROM other practice managers to PracticeMaster than any other product). But because of the team behind the scenes (or in the case of Dan, Scott and Ken, out amongst us at every legal trade show and event and through sponsorships of entities like the ABA GP|Solo Division).

At MicroLaw we’re independent consultants. We’ve never tied ourselves to any company in any way that would skew our objectivity in evaluating client practices and recommending the best products to meet our client’s needs. So when we recommend a product, it’s because we’ve done our homework and that we believe it’s the best choice among other options. We’ve CHOSEN Tabs 3 and PracticeMaster for an increasing percentage of our clients, for all the right reasons.

Congratulations STI on 30 years of success and service to the legal world - we look forward to 30 more!

P.S. If you happen to run into STI Prez Dan Berlin at a tradeshow (i.e. ABA TECHSHOW or LegalTech West Coast), be sure to ask to see that priceless photo that proves he once had hair and that he and polyester fibers had a close personal relationship!

Full post as published by Ross Ipsa Loquitur on March 27, 2009 (boomark / email).