Name: The Smokeball Differences
Uploaded: 2018-11-30T23:19:32.000Z
Duration: 3 min 18 s
Description: Think all legal practice management software is the same? See why Smokeball is the #1 choice for the most successful small law firms. From our industry-leading integrations, free law firm website and dedicated account management, watch to learn why Smokeball isn't like the others.

Customer Training

Help Desk

Web and Video Conferencing

Customer Support

Flowchart

Development

Student Management

Education

Business Intelligence (BI)

Collaboration

Emissions Management

Online Notary

Enterprise

Accounting

Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

CTRM

Finance and Accounting

Applicant Tracking

Corporate Learning Management

HR Management

Payroll

Resume Parsing

Talent Intelligence

Talent Management

Workforce Analytics

Workforce Management

Human Resources

.Net Development

API Management

Authorization

Cloud Storage

Component Content Management

Data Deduplication

Data Governance

Fraud Detection

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)

Intranet

Load Testing

M2M Application Development

Managed Print

Managed Private Cloud

Managed Public Cloud Infrastructure

Network Performance Monitoring

Output Management

Relational Database Management Systems

Sensitive Data Discovery

Service Virtualization

User Activity Monitoring

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Information Technology

A/B Testing

Ad Serving & Retargeting

All-in-One Marketing

Content Management

Data Cleansing

Data Management

Digital Experience Intelligence

Digital Experience Platforms (DXP)

Email Marketing

Location Intelligence

Marketing Automation

Online Reputation Management

Social Media Management

Social Media Publishing

Survey & Forms Building

Web Analytics

Marketing

Project Management

Transcription

Professional Services

Construction CRM

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Headless eCommerce

Sales Engagement

Sales

Data Loss Prevention

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Security

Banking

Car Rental

Church Management

Home Health Care

Intelligent Document Processing

Retail Execution

Vertical-Specific

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### Document Management
Users generally believe that Smokeball's document automation and management features receive positive feedback from reviewers. The software's ability to streamline document preparation, automate repetitive tasks, and integrate with key Microsoft Office functions like Word and Outlook has been highlighted as a significant advantage. While some users have mentioned minor issues such as formatting inconsistencies and occasional bugs, overall, Smokeball's document management capabilities seem to be well-received by its users. The ease of use, time-saving document automation, and efficient organization of files and templates have been noted as key strengths of Smokeball in managing documents effectively.

### Email Management and Integration
Users consistently highlight Smokeball's email management and integration as a key strength of the software. The ability to link client emails directly to their respective files within Smokeball is praised for its time-saving benefits and cost efficiency. Additionally, the automatic tracking of time through email usage is seen as a valuable feature that enhances productivity. Users appreciate the ease of storing and associating emails with specific cases, streamlining communication and ensuring all relevant information is readily accessible. Smokeball's integration with Microsoft Office functions, particularly in email and document indexing, is commended for its convenience and efficiency in managing case-related correspondence.

### Secure Data Handling
Users have expressed mixed feelings about Smokeball's secure link feature for document sharing. While some find it convenient and efficient, others have reported that recipients often struggle to access the shared documents, leading to frustration and additional support requests. This inconsistency in user experience highlights a potential area for improvement in Smokeball's secure data handling capabilities.

### Billing and Invoicing
Users generally agree that Smokeball's billing and invoicing features play a significant role in enhancing their law firm's efficiency and productivity. While some users appreciate the auto-billing feature for capturing missed billable hours, others find room for improvement in the billing software. There are mixed opinions regarding the ease of use and functionality of Smokeball's billing capabilities, with some users highlighting its efficiency in generating bills quickly and easily, while others express concerns about the lack of certain features like automatic repeat invoicing and sales tax calculation. Despite some drawbacks, many users acknowledge the positive impact Smokeball's billing and invoicing tools have had on their firm's billing processes.

### Time Tracking and Management
User consensus seems to be that Smokeball's time tracking and management capabilities are highly praised. Reviewers appreciate the automatic time tracking feature, which eliminates the need for manual time entries and enhances accuracy. The integration with various tools like Word and Outlook streamlines time tracking for tasks such as drafting documents and managing emails. Users find that Smokeball's time tracking functionality significantly improves efficiency and productivity by accurately capturing time spent on various tasks.

### Task Management
Reviewers unanimously praise Smokeball's task management capabilities. Users consistently highlight the ease of setting up tasks, tracking progress, and assigning responsibilities within the platform. The automation feature for repetitive tasks is particularly lauded, streamlining workflow and minimizing errors. Additionally, the time tracking functionality is commended for providing insights into costs and enhancing efficiency. Despite minor concerns about accuracy and system stability, overall sentiment towards Smokeball's task management remains positive and beneficial for enhancing productivity and organization within legal practices.

### Client and Case Management
Users generally praise Smokeball's client and case management features for their efficiency and user-friendliness. The ability to store and retrieve all case data in one place has streamlined workflows and reduced errors in managing client information. While some users have expressed concerns about certain limitations, such as the lack of integration with other software or the absence of specific features like automatic repeat invoicing, overall feedback highlights the positive impact of Smokeball's client and case management capabilities on enhancing organization and communication within law firms.

### Client Communication
User feedback on Smokeball's client communication tools varies widely. While some users praise the secure Communicate feature for enhancing client service and facilitating internal and external communication, others have encountered challenges with its functionality. Issues such as difficulties with encryption tools and recipients struggling to access documents via secure links have been reported. Despite these challenges, users appreciate the system's ability to archive email communications, find attachments easily, and streamline communication processes.

### Legal Practice Management
Users consistently praise Smokeball's legal practice management capabilities, highlighting its effectiveness in streamlining processes, increasing profitability, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. The system's ability to automate workflows, track timelines, and enhance collaboration within the firm has garnered positive feedback. While some users noted minor glitches and initial setup time investment, the overall sentiment leans towards Smokeball being a valuable asset for law firms, particularly in practice areas like real estate transactions, estate planning, and elder law.

### Automation and Workflow Optimization
Users generally appreciate Smokeball's automation and workflow optimization features, highlighting the ease of setting up tasks, contacts, and matters. The automatic time-keeping and integrations are seen as game-changers, aiding in saving time on billing and improving overall productivity. While some users mention minor drawbacks such as limitations in setting up automatic repeat invoicing or syncing only with Outlook, the general consensus leans towards the positive impact of Smokeball's automation capabilities in streamlining practice areas and enhancing efficiency.

### Productivity and Efficiency Tools
User feedback on Smokeball's productivity and efficiency tools consistently highlights the software's ability to streamline tasks, save time, and enhance overall efficiency. Many users appreciate the automation features that simplify document preparation and time tracking, allowing them to focus more on client matters. The system's organization capabilities and ease of use contribute to increased productivity within law firms. While some users mention initial setup time and occasional glitches, the general consensus is that Smokeball's productivity and efficiency tools significantly benefit users in their daily workflow.

### Customization and Integration
Users consistently laud Smokeball for its robust customization and integration capabilities, emphasizing the platform's user-friendly nature and its ability to streamline workflows. The ability to tailor automations to suit specific organizational styles is a standout feature for many users, along with the seamless integration with Microsoft products. While some users express a desire for more tailored customization options, the overall sentiment leans towards positive experiences with Smokeball's customization and integration functionalities.

### Calendaring and Scheduling
While some users appreciate Smokeball's calendaring and scheduling features for their ease of use and integration, others express concerns about limitations such as the lack of rule-based automatic calendaring for litigators and the need for additional customization options. The ability to pre-schedule emails efficiently is highlighted as a key factor influencing users' decisions to switch or continue using the software. Additionally, the reliance on Outlook for syncing and the absence of court calendaring functionalities are noted as areas for improvement in enhancing the overall calendaring and scheduling experience within Smokeball.

### Training and Customer Support
Users consistently highlight Smokeball's training and customer support as standout features of the platform. The majority of reviewers express satisfaction with the ease of use and the efficiency of the training resources provided. Customer service is frequently commended for being responsive and knowledgeable, contributing to a positive user experience. While there are some isolated instances of dissatisfaction with specific aspects of support, overall sentiment leans towards a positive view of Smokeball's training and customer support capabilities.

### Cloud-Based Solutions
While some users appreciate the flexibility of Smokeball's hybrid cloud and desktop system, others find it to be a hindrance due to occasional slowdowns. The transition to a fully cloud-based system is suggested by some to potentially resolve these performance issues. Users value the convenience of cloud-based access to documents and the ability to work from anywhere, but there are concerns about the system's speed and efficiency in its current state. The consensus leans towards acknowledging the benefits of cloud-based solutions while also highlighting areas for improvement in Smokeball's implementation of this technology.

### Real Estate Law Tools
User feedback on Smokeball's real estate law tools consistently highlights its efficiency and effectiveness in streamlining real estate transactions. Clients appreciate the automation features tailored specifically for real estate law, such as deadline tracking, template integration, and document sharing capabilities. While some users mention minor glitches and initial setup time investment, the overall consensus leans towards Smokeball being a valuable asset for law firms specializing in real estate transactions.

Users recommend Smokeball for managing a high volume clientele and workload, suggesting taking the time to learn the software and utilizing the support team. They also suggest giving Smokeball a trial run, as they find it easy to use and effective. Additionally, upgrading computer equipment for compatibility is advised. Users recommend thinking about what you want to improve about your business and asking direct questions about Smokeball's functionality. They highly recommend Smokeball for its management system, as it helps save time and improves organization. In large firms, users appreciate Smokeball as a billing tool. However, they do not recommend it for small/sole practices.

Game changer software: Users find Smokeball's practice management software to be a game changer for their practice, eliminating the need for third-party programs and offering significant advantages compared to other software options.

Automatic time tracking: The automatic time tracking feature is praised by users for positively impacting their practices by eliminating the need for manual time tracking and improving billing accuracy. Several users have mentioned that this feature has helped them capture more billable time and provide valuable insights for billing and fee petitions.

Responsive account managers: Users highly appreciate Smokeball's account managers for their responsiveness and availability. Many reviewers have noted the quick response time to emails and the attentiveness of the account managers in addressing requests or questions.

Cumbersome and difficult to use: Users have found the software to be challenging when it comes to replicating client matters and locating files for clients with multiple matters. Some users have expressed frustration with the complexity of these tasks.

Limited integration with other software suites: Several users have mentioned limitations in integrating the software with popular suites like Adobe, WordPerfect, Salesforce, Hubspot, and Office 365 Online. Additionally, some users have expressed a desire for integration with email programs like Gmail and G Suites.

Learning curve associated with advanced features: Users have reported a learning curve associated with the software's advanced features, requiring a significant time commitment to fully utilize. Some users have also mentioned negative experiences with customer support, including unhelpful assistance and mistakes made by the document automation team.

Smokeball is a software that simplifies document organization and saves time by offering the ability to save emails to specific matters. Users have praised the responsive customer support provided by Smokeball, which assists with any technical needs that may arise. One of the key benefits of Smokeball is its success in streamlining case management and billing processes, resulting in increased productivity and more accurate billing. Users appreciate the software's document storage and accessibility features, which have proven particularly useful in improving efficiency and productivity in law offices. Smokeball excels at replacing multiple programs, reducing the need for additional software and enhancing workflow. By facilitating a paperless office and easy organization of files, Smokeball helps reduce clutter and improve overall productivity. The integration of billing with LawPay simplifies payment processing and eliminates manual entry of payments. Smokeball's document automation feature has resolved the time-consuming task of document drafting. Templates and forms within Smokeball have proven valuable in improving efficiency, communication, organization, and client service within teams. The integrated billing feature and ease of file access further enhance time management and streamline document production. Smokeball proves invaluable in keeping law firms on track, ensuring tasks are completed in a timely manner. Users find the organization features of Smokeball beneficial as they keep tasks and files easily accessible. For firms aiming to reduce costs associated with paper usage and storage fees, Smokeball offers a viable solution, especially in a paperless office environment. Additionally, the cloud-based platform promotes collaboration for those working remotely.


Smokeball in Chicago offers their flagship cloud-based legal case management application featuring time tracking, file and document management, billing, and legal form generation.

Plan A

Plan B

Plan C

eimmigration by Cerenade

Estateably is an estate planning software solution designed to increase the user's operational efficiencies by automating repetitive tasks, increasing collaboration between internal and external parties, embedding workflows and tracking activities on a tamper-proof audit log.

Core

Advanced

Essentials

Estateably

Smokeball

Law Practice Management

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The Smokeball Differences

Think all legal practice management software is the same? See why Smokeball is the #1 choice for the most successful small law firms. From our industry-leading integrations, free law firm website and dedicated account management, watch to learn why Smokeball isn't like the others.

Rocket Matter

Sr. SEO Lead

Smokeball 2023-02-08 08:27:07

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Law Practice Management Software

Smokeball is a legal practice management software that addresses several common business problems faced by small and medium-sized law firms. The main problems it addresses are:
1. Inefficient workflow - Smokeball streamlines various tasks, including document management, time tracking, email management, calendar management, and task management, to improve the overall workflow and efficiency of a law firm.
2. Poor collaboration - Smokeball provides a centralized location for all case-related information, making it easier for teams to collaborate and access information quickly, thereby improving collaboration among team members.
3. Inaccurate billing - The software's automatic time tracking capabilities eliminate the need for manual time tracking, which helps to improve billing accuracy.
The scope of Smokeball is limited to small and medium-sized law firms, and it is designed to help these firms manage their day-to-day operations more efficiently and effectively. It is not intended for use by larger law firms or corporations with in-house legal departments.

Document Management: Smokeball provides a centralized document repository where users can store and organize all their case-related documents. This helps to improve document accessibility and collaboration among team members.
Time Tracking: Smokeball automatically tracks time spent on a case, eliminating the need for manual time tracking. This results in improved billing accuracy and helps the firm to accurately bill clients for the time spent on their cases.
Email Management: Smokeball integrates with a user's email account and automatically categorizes emails as they come in. This helps users to quickly find and access important emails, reducing the amount of time spent searching for information.

User Interface: Some users have reported that the user interface could be improved to make it more user-friendly and intuitive.
Customer Support: Some users have reported long response times and inconsistent quality of customer support, which could be improved to provide better service to users
Mobile Accessibility: Currently, Smokeball does not have a mobile app, which limits accessibility for users who are frequently on the go.

Document Management: The centralized document repository, which allows users to store and organize all their case-related documents in one place.
Email Management: The integration with a user's email account, which automatically categorizes emails as they come in, improving accessibility and reducing the amount of time spent searching for information.
Calendar Management: The calendar function, which allows users to schedule appointments, track availability, and receive reminders for upcoming appointments, reducing the risk of missed deadlines.

Increased efficiency
Improved accuracy
Improved collaboration

Smokeball

Overview

What is Smokeball?