Avaliações do Smokeball

Comentários: I have gained a lot from using Smokeball, but I have had to give up things that I view as basic and simple needs in exchange. The company is open to hearing suggestions, but they are not quickly implemented. They are aware of the complaints that new users have, but they still don't discuss them in the sales demo. I would suggest buying one license only if you decide to try the software. You can add more later if you find that it works for you, but really use the software before adding more as it will take you a minute to realize all of the simple tasks it can't perform. If you have used other major software programs like Abacus or Practice Panther, you may not feel like the benefits are worth the hassle of the change. If this is your first case management system, you will be happy.

Vantagens: The integration with Microsoft Word and Outlook are great. Unlike other software programs, they work all the time and are easy to use.
The templates and automation features help you save tremendous amounts of times doing routine work.
The software does not crash and have bugs all the time like the previous software I used.

Desvantagens: This is an out of the box, canned solution. Even on simple requests, ZERO customization is allowed. Also, they are HORRIBLE with allowing you to import data from other software systems. They basically expect each firm to just start over from scratch, other than importing contacts. This is crazy and unrealistic for small or large firms. Smokeball is a one size fits all tool that frequently falls short. It is very difficult to run reports. You have the ability to add labels and input data, but extremely limited ability to run reports to transform the data you have collected into useful information. During the demo, they show you nifty features like automated time keeping, but they neglect to tell you that if you turn on that feature, your invoices will get all messed up. You won't have the ability to itemize or discount each line item of work performed on the case, instead they group them together with a list of daily worked. There is a reason why they do not offer a try before you buy option or a month to month option. You have to sign up for a full year and then you are locked in.

Vantagens: The software is easy to use, intuitive, and loaded with features that are easy to customize to practice needs, the billing integration, with the recently added auto activity trackers, make billing simple. Just when they make an improvement, they add additional improvements and enhance,ents with integrations to make practice management even more efficient. Example, they just added law pay and QuickBooks integrations to the Boost billing portal, making accounting, and collections easier and faster. The support team is responsive, and is always looking to learn from customers how to make the program better. Just spent have an hour with them on a call in which they were looking for suggestions on how to make the mobile app better. Whenever they make enhancements, they provide support instantly to train, if necessary, but usually the changes are so intuitive, that very little training is ever needed. I can't say that I have experienced better customer service. Well worth it.

Desvantagens: My only complaint would be price, but that is really a nominal complaint. I have paid so much more, per month, for other types of software, research and other types of programs and services, that the pricing really isn't bad at all.

Comentários: This software enables me to run my business much more efficiently and accurately.

Vantagens: Smokeball is really wonderful and made a positive impact on my practice! The automation function is perfect. The auto time tracking and boost billing functions take Smokeball to the next level. It is hard to identify just one thing that I like most because everything about this software is amazing. It really has made my practice run smoothly and increased efficiency in my office. I converted from MyCase to Smokeball and the process was simple and relatively fast. I am so much happier with Smokeball! The customer service is out of this world as well. My account administrator took care of me every step of the way and made sure that I understood the process. She checked in on me to see how the conversion was going and did not hesitate to help me in any way.

Desvantagens: I cannot think of anything I do not like or that I like least. Every once in awhile, the system runs slowly and it seems that my documents do not sync quickly. But, that is really it. There is nothing to complain about because this software is so intuitive and easy to use.

Comentários: I love all the features- especially the AI feature, it has helped our attorneys to make sure they do not complete something but forget to bill for it. All of our firm's contacts are stored in one place, making everyone's address book on point for everyone to contact anyone, even if someone else added the contact I can still find it. I also love being able to search for a document by typing anything that you remember is in the document and it will search all the documents for that phrase.

Vantagens: This program has made my job soo smooth. The ease of use and all the different features work together great. It has made me more organized and efficient in my job.

Desvantagens: If your internet goes out, you cannot access files.

Comentários: We were fairly early users of Smokeball and we could not be more pleased. Their software makes it so easy to write letters (which can be done off templates) and create standard documents. It's very easy to send them out, and organize them per file. It even links to email so emails can be similarly organized. Accessibility is the best part, as you've always got all the paperwork at your fingertips as long as you have a smartphone. The app is fantastic and makes it easy to make calls, email documents, etc. customer support literally responds within minutes and are the nicest folks ever. It's a great company and we couldn't be happier.

Vantagens: Accessibility, great app, immediate customer support.

Desvantagens: No billing feature yet! :)

Vantagens: the workflows and automation are great, the product was easy to use and we generally liked it. IN fact, I recommended it to several friends and they liked it as well.

Desvantagens: After a year of beta testing, requesting and getting new features, the company raised the price subscription price 40%. This was too much for us to bite off, especially with no protection in the future. Some of the features like billing and accounting drove the price up but are of no use to our contingent fee based practice. In addition, my client data was on their server, not mine. The company was good to give quarterly backups on request but if the internet connection fails, which happens a couple times a year, we could only work on recently saved documents or from the last backup.

Comentários: Much better product that what we had before. Excellent staff training. Our staff likes it and that is what matters!

Vantagens: Fairly easy but I am still learning as support staff usually handle for me. Ease of entry of contacts to each matter. I read the info given to us and it helps me to read on paper! I am very busy with working on the "legal" end of cases so my time is limited as to all entries. I just add as I can.

Desvantagens: It is meeting the needs of our firm except for the daily printing of a calendar that would show what all attorneys are doing. So far we are only able to print one day at a time.

Comentários: One company provides four different services: Software management/document sharing, cloud-based back-up, billing software, and website support/creation!

Vantagens: It is intuitive and works seemlessly with Microsoft Word and Outlook; it provides excellent customer service; it is accessible from one's phone. I like all the automation features, particularly the way contacts will automatically update through all applicable matters when changed in just one location.

Desvantagens: Not all aspects of litigation are cookie-cutter and sometimes some of the of the automation features don't quite fit with the case's subject matter and/or content. However, customer service is quick to help resolve any issue and to help customize their product to fit one's business needs

Comentários: As a longtime Smokeball user, I can't imagine not using it! It's made so many parts of our practice easier, from keeping track of all our files, contacts, clients and documents. Every suggestion we've made has been considered (and I'm happy to say most, if not all, were integrated into the program). Support is top notch. Once you get everything set up the way you like it, it saves us so much time- I don't know where we'd be without it! I cannot recommend it enough!

Comentários: This software makes our office more efficient which means I need one less secretary. I have access from my phone and tablet which makes it easier for me to work outside of the office.

Vantagens: It's very integrated for every need possible as a small law firm. This software links all my emails into the file. It's just a powerful system.

Desvantagens: Since I'm a baby boomer, it's too much to remember, but that's my fault and not the software. I wish every time I get a phone message, a separate window would pop up to call instead of me looking for it or getting it thru email.

Vantagens: The program acts as a central hub for the entire firm. Storing all client contact information, case information and uploaded documents. The direct integration with Office 365 for document creation and editing as well as email tracking makes the product what it is.

Desvantagens: There are several features that are subpar (billing) or unnecessary (complimentary website) that have made the price double yet go unused. In the case of the billing program it is very basic and limited with bugs that make it unusable.

Comentários: Can overstate the quality of the program, the ease of use, and the customer service and support.

Vantagens: Cloud and local functionality, form creation, storage, automatic billing and time tracking, email integration, integration with word and outlook

Desvantagens: ios application can use improvement, but works decently well.

Vantagens: From the automated forms, document management, or the time tracking functionality, this software is perfect for any law firm looking to take their firm to the next level. The goal is to help attorneys run a more profitable law firm and that's exactly what you can expect when using it!

Desvantagens: It is not cheap, but you get what you pay for - so that shouldn't be a deal killer for the firm that is looking to get the right pieces in place.

Vantagens: Smokeball is amazing. It is user friendly and makes things so much easier. If you are an attorney, Smokeball is definitely the best case manager out there.

Desvantagens: Nothing!! That is odd for me to say, but i cannot say enough good things about Smokeball

Vantagens: Quite an intuitive platform with easy to use features. Time recording and billing are our favourite features! Smokeball allows easy file access in an organised platform.

Desvantagens: Cost, however that's a pretty standard dislike for any legal software.

Comentários: Helped organize client files and made it easier to track and save emails to and from clients.

Vantagens: It is quite easy to save emails and documents to various clients and to search matters quickly. I like that I can pull up documents while on the phone with clients.

Desvantagens: If not careful, it is easy to overlook tracked changes to documents. It is also occasionally difficult to remove clients who have been twice entered.

Comentários: Linking everything together is great

Vantagens: I love that it links together everything I need to do in a day: ie: My cases with my calendar, my emails, etc.

Desvantagens: I think there aren't many forms I use, and the ones I need, aren't in the library. I also think there are some gliches that need to be ironed out- sometimes my word documents wont open- i have to export them and save on my desktop and then open them.

Comentários: I have been using Smokeball for several months. It's amazingly powerful, integrating emails, documents, forms, and workflows. It has an activity tracker and allows you to create invoices, but billing/accounting integration is still weak. It may be too ambitious - one needs a powerful computer and for me sometimes fails to pull up Word. But customer service is very responsive and I'm impressed by their vision.

Vantagens: Emails and documents all in one place.

Desvantagens: Still buggy from time to time.

Vantagens: Feature rich client and document management system integrates with office for document automation and email tracking

Desvantagens: Poor billing program. No accounting or linking with QuickBooks. The offered document template set ups by their staff are poorly executed.

Comentários: It's easy to use - the fields are layed out in a way that makes sense. The support is phenomenal - I usually get a response within a couple hours. It helps me track data - it has all the key data points I need. It helps me stay on top of tasks - I set up dates/reminders with ease.

Vantagens: The customer support and its user-friendly design.

Desvantagens: That it doesn't have email workflow capabilities (not campaigns, but workflows based on a client's status or stage in the process).

Comentários: I have used Smokeball for about four years. There are a lot of positive parts to this program - the ease of using Word documents; the templates for the various practice areas; the speed of finding documents, correspondence, and emails to name a few. Recently I was representing the sellers of a Chicago condominium. For some reason the attorney, lender, and both real estate brokers found emails easier than phone calls. An issue arose about seven days prior to closing which caused a flurry of emails (17) to be exchanged in about 35 minutes. Smokeball grouped and filed these emails in the proper client folder and allowed me to watch from the sidelines until the activity ceased. Once I saw that the parties had run out of responses, I reviewed the last email in the chain, initiated a conference call, and resolved the problem with a three minute phone call. Smokeball allowed me to keep an eye on developments while working on other pressing matters. One last note. I have had judges comment on the Word documents I've used and how easy it is to read the insertions and presentations of documents like the Cook County Memorandum of Judgment and the Illinois business forms.

Vantagens: Once you master form automation, there is no need to go back and re-draft the document. Better yet, a user can request that a new form be automated or created for his/her needs.

Desvantagens: Sometimes automation process is counter-intuitive. Given the enormous number of possible fields, finding the one needed is not always easy.

Comentários: Tremendous functionality and an extremely affordable price

Vantagens: Very simply – it does everything I need intuitively and cost-effectively. I no longer have to go from a Google doc to a calendar to a spreadsheet to my Outlook tasks – everything is at my fingertips. Enter it once and forget about. What more can I say? So far the training and support has been top rate. I had a problem (due to a Microsoft update) they had me up and running in a matter of minutes – so far extremely satisfied

Desvantagens: So far can't think of anything - the program does everything they said it would do and I feel like a kid every time I discover some new unexplored functionality

Comentários: Access to documents. Calendaring

Vantagens: Great promise for what it could do. And of you had a dedicated IT team it probably would work well. But as a small law firm it has been an expensive failure and disappoint

Desvantagens: Bad support. Their new release effectively disabled my secretary's computer. And they couldn't find any problem. So my IT consultant had to do an emergency fix. Then it corrupts again when she tries to load smokeball. Yet smokeball tech support who looks at system says its running fine. It's not. Her computer is again on the virus ward at IT consultants office. Thanks Smokeball

Comentários: As a former CRM Administrator, I had high expectations. There are some areas that should expand with this product over time, but it currently meets my needs and is easy to use and configure.

Vantagens: Easy to use. Covers all my primary needs.

Desvantagens: Has some limitations. Ex. email marketing workflows based on customer type or where they are in the process.