Pricing and Costs of Legal Document Management Software

Understand the price of implementing a legal document management system
By Yvette Pryce, Freelance Writer Legal document management can be a time-consuming project if you don't have streamlined legal document software in your office. Without the right software, you may spend much of your time converting information between programs as you create and manage your documents. At the same time, legal document software can be an expensive investment, so you need to balance time management with costs.
 

Investigating the pricing and costs of legal document management software before you purchase it can help you determine whether it's cost-effective to implement new legal document management systems. Some run as low as $200, while others can cost thousands to implement. As you look into legal document management companies, take the following points into consideration:

1. Decide whether ready-made legal document management solutions are right for your firm, or whether you need custom solutions.

2. Get multiple quotes to understand the pricing range of customized document management software.

3. Look for what you'll need to pay for beyond the document management software, such as support or conversion charges.

Find legal document management software with clear pricing structures

If an out-of-the-box solution fits your needs, you can locate software that posts its pricing and costs online. The benefit of a clear pricing structure is that you know exactly how much to budge for the software.
Try: Needles, which offers full service case management software, provides a calculator on its site so you know exactly how much you'll pay before you even contact the company. Lexbe presents a clear pricing structure on its site, which is based on the number of users. HiPerSoft offers a simple single- or multi-user pricing option; you can get a single-user version for around $200 and a multi-user version for around $400.

Get quotes for customized legal document software

Depending upon your needs, a ready-made piece of legal document software may not be for your law firm. A number of software providers have a basic package that they then customize according to who will use the software and what your priorities are. Customized software can run anywhere from around $300 for a small office with limited users and limited needs to thousands of dollars.
Try: AbacusLaw pricing depends on your company’s exact needs. Complete the no-obligation quote request on their website to find the pricing for your company. Argentto Systems requires you to contact them as well. LexisNexis provides an array of document and case management software on a subscription basis, with a pricing structure based upon your use. Each company allows you to preview its software with a free trial version so you know what you're getting before you invest in the software.

Realize what costs you may incur beyond the actual legal document management applications

While all reputable companies providing law firm document management software disclose the full pricing and costs of their products, some costs are easy to overlook. Be sure to check out any start-up costs associated with the software, as well as what you need to pay for technical support.
Try: While Defender Data charges a low rate per case, you'll also need to pay a few thousand for data conversion -- which is a typical cost for implementing extensive legal document software packages, and which saves money in the end. Genlex discloses all pricing and costs on its website, and you need to consider its support plan in addition to its software.

• Think long term when you're selecting legal document software. If you know your needs will be expanding, it could be helpful to invest in a customized solution if you can afford it. That way, you can maintain a relationship with the same company as you expand your law office.