THE LEGAL profession can be credited with developing the process of billing the client into an art form, and its easel is time-and-billing.
TB&R packages can be found in every operating system, from DOS through Windows and into UNIX. We will focus upon just the Windows 95/98/NT packages available on the market. DOS based systems are passé, and UNIX-based systems normally do not use a GUI (graphical user interface) approach.
TB&R packages can be grouped several different ways, with a single package fitting into one or more of these categories. The main phylum are standalone and integrated. A standalone package provides the user with all the TB&R information, but does not have any facility to automatically move the resulting accounting information into a general ledger.
Integrated packages, on the other hand, provide seamless integration of all accounting data. This means cash receipts will not only lower accounts receivable, but will increase the general ledger cash account. Accounts payable and payroll will also be present, with the ability (depending on the package) to expense to the client costs associated from these modules.
In between the standalone and the integrated package is a very gray area of interfaces. These programs written by one or more third parties that transfer accounting information between disparate systems. How automatically the information moves depends on what programs you are using.
When evaluating TB&R packages look at the following: cost, type, third party packages, how many timekeepers you require and what type of reporting you need. In addition, how intuitive is the interface, what type of security is within the package, and the total feature set provided by the publisher.
Each TB&R package provides different reporting capabilities, and it is in this area that the package will either shine or not. Collecting time and producing an invoice is easy. Nevertheless, what type of other informative information can you get from the software about how your practice is doing is the question. TB&R used to assist you in managing your business is a very important aspect -- don't forget to investigate it!
| Company |
Products |
OS/Multi-User System |
Highlights |
ADC Legal Systems, Inc.
click no. 266 |
Perfect Practice for Windows 95/98/NT |
Windows 95/98/NT |
* Easily handles contingency, flat and/or hourly billing
* Accommodates Uniform Task-Based Billing
* Receives billing information from case management system
* All information available for productivity reports |
Advanced Productivity Software
click no. 267 |
DTE (Distributed Time Entry) |
Windows 3.x/95/98/NT Server: NT (requires Informix, Interbase, SQL Server, Sybase or Oracle)
|
* Time entry system, links to Palm Pilot, import/export |
Alumni Computer Group, Inc. (See President's Corner)
click no. 268 |
PCLaw & PCLaw, Jr. |
Windows 3.1 or higher (version 2.0 only),Windows 95/98/NT |
* Full accounting system
* Conflict check
* Budgeting; e-mail enabled |
Barrister Information Systems Corporation
click no. 269 |
Javelan Practice Management System |
Windows 95/98/NT (Requires NT Server and SQL Server) |
* Distributed and remote time entry
* Invoices finalized in Word/WordPerfect
* Expenses captured thru A/P, cost recovery systems or TB&R
|
Best!Ware Inc.
click no. 270 |
M.Y.O.B. Accounting Plus Version |
Windows 95/98/NT, Macintosh |
* Tracks carryovers and write-offs
* Multi-user ready
* Multiple customizable invoice and purchase order
* Tracks billable & non-billable time |
BQE Software, Inc.
click no. 271 |
BillQuick |
Windows 95/98/NT |
* Unlimited projects
* Unlimited employees
* Capable of sending bills via e-mail or fax |
BytePro
click no. 272 |
Time & Profit |
Windows 3.1/95/98/NT, Servers: Novell, Lantastic, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95/98/NT |
* AutoDialer unlimited number of billing rates, jobs, phone numbers
* Calendar function
* Check book function
|
CMS Data Corporation
click no. 273 |
CMS Open |
Microsoft NT or Unix, requires Microsoft SQL Server or Sybase |
* Multiple modules include time, billing collections and accounting |
Computer Law Systems Inc.
click no. 274 |
CLS/Summit |
Windows NT and Novell |
* Core product, the Entidex Database, integrates all applications including other vendors' products |
Computer Software for Professionals, Inc.
click no. 275 |
LegalMaster |
DOS, OS2, Windows 3.1x/95/98/NT, Server: NT, Novell |
* Time accounting and billing; retainer and trust accounting; fee splitting; task billing; revenue distribution by timekeeper, billing or originating attorney; conflict of interest; calendaring with local court rules. |
Computerized Litigation Control Systems, Inc. (C.L.C.S.)
click no. 276 |
21st Century Lawyer |
Windows 95/98/NT, Windows NT (3.51 or greater) |
* Case management
* People information
* Global message center
|
CompuTrac, Inc.
click no. 277 |
Law Firm Management System for Windows |
Windows 95/98/NT |
* Interactive system inquiries
* User customizable
* Phase, task and activity-based
* Budgeting; unlimited keyword
* Categorization and reporting; rules-based modeling
|
| Law Firm Management System for 3000/9000 |
HP-UX UNIX |
* Accounts receivable collection system
* Distributed Time Entry; Legal Ease Marketing Database
* Instant drill-down access to financial information
|
CSS Inc.
click no. 278 |
ProVantage |
Clients: Windows 95 or later Windows NT 3.51 or later. Server: Windows NT 3.51 or later |
* User-definable fee entry screen
* User-definable bill formats
* Draft bill and final bill processing
|
Dapix Inc.
click no. 279 |
Dapix Legal Software |
Windows 95/98/NT |
* ABA tasked based billing; letters of protection
* Trust module; G/L, A/P and P/R modules
|
Datatrends Software Technology
click no. 280 |
Clockwork |
Windows 3.1/95/98/NT and UNIX |
* Modules include attorney desktop, time-and-billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, trust, conflict and report writing |
DATA.TXT Corporation
click no. 281 |
Time Matters for Windows |
Windows |
* Windows Link to Palm Pilot, and many law packages |
DBD Incorporated
click no. 282 |
TimeWise |
Windows 3.x/95/98/NT, Macintosh (or MacOS compatible), DOS computer (386 or greater) |
* Sales prospecting
* Client tracking; estimating; job scheduling
* Time Tracking; staff tracking
|
DesignSoft
click no. 283 |
DesignSoft Time & Billing |
MAC, Windows, DOS |
* Initializes and manages a list of all active jobs and clients
* Provides reports and summaries
|
DHDial & Company
click no. 284 |
PowerLegal |
Client: Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT
Server: Novell Netware or Microsoft Windows NT Server Requires either Oracle or Sybase SQL Anywhere |
* Multi-user time and expense entry
* Work-in-process write-ups and write-downs
* Prebilling worksheets and billing invoices
* Task-based billing
* Service taxes
|
dLEGAL System
click no. 285 |
dLEGAL System |
DOS, Windows, Server: Novell, Windows |
* Accepts user-entered client and case numbers, multiple cases per client.
* Permits sales tax and interest charges
* Can create 100 form letters with case and client date
|
Elite Information Systems
click no. 286 |
ELBS Elite Legal Billing System |
Windows 3.1/95/98/NT. Server: NT and either MS SQL, Oracle, or Informix UNIX and either Oracle, or Informix |
* Tasked based billing
* Matter based budgeting
* Multi currency, multi-language
* Dun & Bradstreet integration
|
Gavel and Gown Software Inc.
click no. 287 |
Amicus Attorney |
Windows 95/98/NT and Mac |
* Time collection system interfaces with PCLaw, TimeSlips and 20 other systems |
Green Shades Accounting Software, Inc.
click no. 288 |
Internet Billing For Dynamics |
Requires Great Plains Dynamics C/S accounting system |
* Customized version of the Dynamics Accounts Receivable Module
* The monthly statement serves as the invoice
* Billing rate uses a separate customer class
|
Intuit Inc.
click no. 290 |
Quickbooks Pro |
Windows 95/98/NT |
* Full-featured accounting program |
Juris, Inc.
click no. 291 |
Juris |
DOS, Windows 95/98/NT |
* Both profit centers and multiple offices; budgets
* Task and activity Codes
* Conflict search
|
LegalEdge Software
click no. 292 |
The Law Firm Suite |
Windows 3.1/95/98/NT. Server: NT (requires SQL,Oracle or Sybase) |
* Ad hoc searches/reports; tasks using ABA Standard UTBMS Codes
* Calendaring and docketing
|
Micro Aston Software
click no. 293 |
Time Gold |
Windows 3.1/95/98/NT |
* Time sheet module with fast and easy-to-use form entry; flexibleinvoicing for every client profile |
Micro Billing
click no. 294 |
Client Project |
Windows 3.1/95/98 |
* Invoices on demandSystems, Inc.
* Database file structure
* Standard billing rates
|
Microfirm Corporation
click no. 295 |
LawPartner Sr. |
MS-DOS, Windows 3.1.x/95/98/NT, Macintosh Power PC with Softwindows, may be substituted |
* Time and Billing
* Case management and reporting
* Contact information manager
* Trust account tracking
|
Omega legal Systems
click no. 296 |
Omega legal System: Time & Billing |
Windows 3.1x/ 95/98/NT |
* Time entry with spell checker
* Task code billing
* Optional modules
|
Peachtree Software
click no. 297 |
Peachtree Complete Accounting Plus Time & Billing |
Windows 3.1/ 95/98/NT |
* Full featured accounting system
* Billable hours flow to both the invoice and payroll modules
|
ProLaw Software
click no. 298 |
ProLaw |
Windows 95/98/NT. Server: NT with SQL server |
* Integration with Office 97, GroupWise, Exchange/Outlook,PC Docs Equitrac, and more
* Document assembly with HotDocs
|
Responsive Software
click no. 299 |
Responsive Time Logger - Time and |
Windows 95/NT |
* Standalone system with extensive database import/export capabilities; billing application |
RTG Data Systems
click no. 300 |
RTB Bills |
Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95/98 |
* Separates fees and expenses
* Captures attorney time
* Designed for law firms
|
Sage U.S. Inc.
click no. 301 |
Timeslips Deluxe for Windows version 8.0 |
Windows 3.1/95/98/NT |
* Variety of billing arrangements and customizable bill formatting |
| Timeslips Deluxe for the Mac Version 5.0 |
Macintosh with System 7.0 or higher |
* Variety of billing arrangements and fully customizable bill formatting |
| Carpe Diem |
Windows 3.11/95/98/NT or standard billing product |
* Available in both Enterprise and Standard editions |
Starboard Systems, Inc.
click no. 302 |
STARBILLProfessional Services Billing Software |
N/A |
* Data to be automatically captured over the phone fully menu-driven |
Software Technology Inc.
click no. 303 |
TABS III |
DOS and Windows |
* Conflict checking, client notes, write-offs, reverse payments, transfer transactions, change attorney rates |
| TABS III |
Windows 95/98/NT |
* Client and attorney productivity reports; Conflict checking
* Retainer billing
* Case management integration
|
Studio 848, Inc.
click no. 304 |
Bill Power |
Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT Requires Microsoft Outlook 97 or 98 |
* Works with Microsoft Outlook
* Bill Power loads data directly from Outlook folders, sorts and summarizes billable entries
* Data export (to spreadsheets, databases, and QuickBooks), and e-mail capabilities
|
Synergy Systems Management Incorporated
click no. 305 |
RealEze Time & Billing |
DOS, Windows 95/98 |
* Prospecting
* Income statements
* Office management
* Appointment scheduling
|
TimePro Legal Software Systems
click no. 306 |
TimePro |
Windows 95/NT |
* Trust Management; Calendaring
* Conflict of Interest
* Attorney Bonuses |
UniLink Software, Inc.
click no. 307 |
TB*Plus - Professional Time and Billing |
Windows 3.1x/95/98/NT. Server: Novell Lantastic Windows |
* Real-time data entry
* Multiple firm and office reporting
* Client billing rate and automatic mark-up/mark-down factor
|
Versys Corporation
click no. 308 |
Legal Insight |
Windows 95/98/NT or UNIX |
* Full accounting system; Records management; Docket & Calendar |