Vancouver based Clio is the most popular browser-based practice management software boasting over 150,000 users. Their annual fall conference is a hotbed of innovative ideas for the development of legal services. At this year’s recent conference, Clio took the opportunity to announce a major overhaul of their 9-year-old cloud software.
Key announcements include a new user experience including over 220 new and improved features, such as:
- Single-page architecture that makes the program more consistent and intuitive on all screens.
- Global Create so that you can create new items such as matters, contacts, and tasks from any screen.
- Improved integration with Office 365, primarily with Outlook.
- Faster and more robust searching.
- Improved billing including bulk billing and application of payments.
- Greatly improved calendar interface.
- Faster synchronization with accounting software.
Clio also made some other significant announcements for their user community:
New App Directory
Clio now has an app directory for programs that integrate with their platform. This includes programs such as Google, Box, Zapier, Microsoft Office 365 and many others. Learn more about the App Directory.
$1 Million Developer Fund and Improved API
Clio is setting up a $1 Million fund to assist developers with creating and marketing apps to support Clio’s platform. This is supported by the release of a more powerful application programming interface and they announced a developer content with a $100,000 prize to be awarded at next year’s conference.
Updated mobile apps
Clio has updated both their iOS and Android apps with an emphasis on making it easier to capture time from anywhere in the apps.
Communications
On the blue-sky front, Clio announced development of a new communications app, named Hermes, that will provide lawyers with enhanced client communications and document sharing from their mobile devices. Think, What’s App meets the law office.
All in all, there are some big improvements coming for Clio users. Jack Newton, CEO of Clio, indicates that the new features are coming online now and will be available in fall 2017. To learn more, read Clio This Month, Special Edition.
