Consultant eNews

News and Resources for Consultants

Best Practices for Data Conversions

Aug 12

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

A whitepaper is now available on eNews that provides you with instructions and information to assist clients converting data from versions 12 and earlier.  It summarizes the most common problems our Support Department helps resellers with when converting clients from older versions of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster.  It also provides detailed, step-by-step procedures that are used by our in-house conversion specialists.

This document applies to firms that are in possession of CDs more current than the version they are running.  Best Practices for Data Conversions is located under Flyers & Whitepapers on the Marketing tab.

Platinum SQL is Available!

Aug 9

Posted by Joe Abler in PR / Announcements | No Comments

Platinum SQL allows firms to take full advantage of the latest server hardware technology, and provides significantly faster access to Tabs3 and PracticeMaster data from other software applications.

Platinum SQL is perfect for firms looking to get the most out of their 64-bit server.  We have plenty of excellent resources available to prepare you for selling and supporting Platinum SQL:

 

  • Sign up to attend Sneak Peek: Platinum SQL, a free webinar presented by Philip Allendorfer our Director of Development.  Have your firms sign up as soon as you can.  The first one on July 21st filled up in just one day!  The next webinar is scheduled for August 25th.  Philip does a tremendous job of explaining and answering tough technical questions.
  • Read KB Article R11417 – Platinum SQL Overview, an absolute must read if you have firms considering Platinum SQL.  It’s packed full of valuable information including, FAQs, links to other articles, and much more.

 

 Overview:  Why should a firm consider Platinum SQL?

 

  1. 64-bit database engines utilize today’s advanced hardware and 64-bit operating systems
  • Take advantage of large memory configurations to speed up filtering, reporting and SQL queries
  • No data conversion required
  1. Query Tabs3/PracticeMaster database in MS SQL Server using the Link Server feature
  2. Accelerated ODBC processing done by the server instead of a workstation
  3. New ODBC SQL drivers included at no extra charge
  • 32-bit (for 32-bit Office, Crystal Reports, etc.)
  • 64-bit (for 64-bit Office 2010, etc.)
  1. Ability to restrict SQL access by system at the user level
  2. Server monitoring dashboards
  • Server Activity
  • Cache Tuning
  • File Access 

A pricing chart was recently e-mailed to the primary contact at your office with retail prices for purchasing Platinum SQL Server.  Remember, Tabs3 and PracticeMaster prices are the same for Platinum and Platinum SQL.

If you want to upgrade your own license to Platinum SQL, please contact your sales representative at 402-419-2200 for pricing questions.

Dropbox vs. DropBox

Jun 21

Posted by Scott Baird in General, Marketing | No Comments

In case any of you were wondering, the Dropbox in the news this week is not our PracticeMaster DropBox.

Dropbox Lied to Users About Data Security, Complaint to FTC Alleges:

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/05/dropbox-ftc/

Dropbox leaves user accounts unlocked for 4 hours:

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/06/21/dropbox.unlocked.wired/

Tip for New Leads

Jun 20

Posted by Joe Abler in Tips | No Comments

Most leads we send to resellers and consultants are new prospects requesting information while visiting our web site.  The leads are distributed to you within one working day, and a trial CD with product information is immediately sent to the prospect. 

We often get questions back about firm size, type of practice, etc.  We send you all the information we have.  The best way to learn more is to locate their web site and spend a few minutes researching information that may help with an approach, as well as ongoing communications.  Just knowing a primary area of practice can help immensely in an initial e-mail. 

“PracticeMaster is perfect for a firm your size with med mal clients.  I’d be happy to show you how Document Assembly can pay for itself in less than a month”. 

This research is also a way to gather missing demographic information not already provided with the lead.  You can also read bios, check out personal interests, learn their favorite charities, see what awards they’ve won, and more.  This valuable information can be used to personally connect with a prospect and build rapport. You should then store their important information in PracticeMaster where you track your leads. 

Matter Manager Article

Jun 14

Posted by Joe Abler in PR / Announcements | No Comments

Check out the TechnoLawyer article on Matter Manager labeled, “Find Critical Client Information at the Speed of Thought.”  Be sure to share this link with prospects and clients interested in PracticeMaster.

http://www.tabs3.com/press_articles/technolawyer_4-20-11.pdf

New Version 16 Landing Page

Jun 13

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

A new version 16 landing page has been created to help existing clients and prospects get familiar with new features found in version 16.  This site includes a link to a what’s new highlight list, followed by a complete list of new features.  Also found on the landing page are links to videos of new features such as E-mail Batches of Statements, Matter Manager, WorkFlows and more.

Please visit http://www.tabs3.com/v16 to view the new landing page.

This page was recently referred to in TechnoLawyer and is on the envelopes for the version 16 update CDs.

Matter Manager NewsWire in TechnoLawyer

May 16

Posted by Joe Abler in PR / Announcements | No Comments

Matter Manager is an excellent new selling tool found in version 16 of PracticeMaster that you should take advantage of.  An article was recently published about it in TechnoLawyer, and is now found on our web site.  You should share this with your prospects interested in PracticeMaster who may want to learn more about Matter Manager, and also with leads new to practice management software. 

http://www.tabs3.com/press_articles/technolawyer_4-20-11.pdf

ODBC & Data Export Security Considerations

May 11

Posted by Joe Abler in Tips | No Comments

Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software provides multiple features such as secure clients, private calendar records, and assigned timekeepers to help ensure that only authorized users have access to private client data. It is important to remember that these security features only apply within the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software. When data is accessed using third party programs via tools such as ODBC drivers or the PracticeMaster Export Data function, these security limitations will not apply. Below are security considerations for the primary methods of exporting Tabs3 and PracticeMaster data. With all methods, you will want to consider storing the exported data in a secure location on your network.

Standard ODBC Drivers

The standard ODBC driver, available as an add-on product for $99 per user, allows access to all data files in all of the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software. Be aware that anyone who uses the ODBC driver has access to all records in all files in all Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software, including secure clients, private calendar records, and clients restricted by assigned timekeepers.

Platinum SQL ODBC Drivers

The SQL ODBC driver is included with the new Platinum SQL version of the software. The SQL ODBC driver provides Manager access to the data files in the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software, including secure clients, private calendar records, and assigned timekeepers. However you can specify which program data files an SQL user has access to. You can grant SQL access rights to Access Profiles for each software system using System Configuration. For example, you can grant SQL access rights to the Tabs3 data files without granting SQL access rights to the GLS data files. This feature makes it easy to control exactly which users have access to an individual software system’s data files. Keep in mind that users who are granted access rights to an individual product’s data files have rights to all records. To ensure optimal performance and respect security settings, firms that upgrade to Platinum SQL should uninstall the standard ODBC driver.

PracticeMaster Export Data

The Export Data function in PracticeMaster will export all records in the specified file for which the current user has access rights. This includes secure clients, private records, and client information restricted by assigned timekeepers. To ensure all records are exported, have a manager export the data. Additionally, when exporting data containing secure information, you may want to consider storing the export file in a secure location on your network or on a removable drive.

Shipping Changes

May 3

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

We recently made minor changes to shipping costs to adjust for price increases by UPS.  Below are new shipping costs for COD and prepaid letters.  Please contact a member of the Sales Department at 402-419-2200 to verify prices such as Saturday delivery or shipping beyond the lower 48 states.

COD Packages

UPS Ground (3 – 5 business days) $19

UPS Blue (2 day air) $32

UPS Red (overnight) $45

 

Prepaid Packages (credit card or prepaid company check orders)

UPS Ground (3 – 5 business days) $10

UPS Blue (2 day air) $22

UPS Red (overnight) $35

Timeslips Conversions

Apr 25

Posted by Joe Abler in General | No Comments

We are in the process of updating and documenting the conversion program for Timeslips to Tabs3. However, at the present time we do not have a Timeslips conversion that works directly with version 16. For the time being, firms will need to convert from Timeslips to version 15, and then update to version 16. We will not charge for the version 15 CD that they will need. We have completed testing Timeslips 2011 with our Timeslips conversion to version 15.