Solo Practice

Software as a Service Makes Virtual Law Offices Easier to Start

By Garrett Worley

The application of emerging technology to the legal profession offers more opportunities than ever before.  I’ve become fascinated with the concept of virtual law offices and have written posts on the topic here and here.  Susan Cartier Liebel recently posted a guest blog on Build a Solo Practice, LLC written by virtual solo Stephanie Kimbro.

It’s easy to understand the widespread appeal of the virtual law office concept: reduced overhead, low startup costs, mobility, client satisfaction, etc.  But there is also a significant technological barrier that keeps many would-be solos out of the virtual office game.

Or is there?

Stephanie Kimbro said  in her Build a Solo Practice, LLC guest post that her virtual firm uses software as a service (SaaS).  This morning, I came across a post on Stephanie’s own blog noting that the Wall Street Journal had mentioned virtual offices and that software as a service would soon replace software.

What is software as a service?

Regular software must be purchased, loaded onto your computer, maintained, updated and fixed.  The software developer may have a help line you can call, but essentially you are left to fix the software yourself or hire an IT expert to do it for you.  Software as a service, on the other hand, is accessed through the internet and maintained by the developer.  Rather than purchase the software, you pay a subscription fee and the developer hosts and updates the software for you.  Because the software is hosted and maintained by the developer, the user doesn’t need very much tech knowledge and is left free to run her business.

HowStuffWorks.com has a nice overview of how virtual offices work that you might want to look at if you’re still unsure.

Full post as published by Garrett Worley's Blawg on February 08, 2008 (boomark / email).