The following is a list of new features and updates to the VLOTech product. The development of our software is guided by the requests and feedback from our attorneys. We update the software approximately every two weeks for our clients with no disruption to their VLO workflow and at no extra charge. If you would like information about operating your own Virtual Law Office, please contact us at launch@vlotech.com.
Accounting Summary Export
The software will now export accounting information in CSV or Excel format. These are the most standard accounting export files. Users may currently export an Invoice List, an Invoice Item Audit Tool, a Payment List and a Retainer Summary (showing both quotes with retainers that were accepted in the date range as well as cases with retainers that were closed or completed in the date range). CSV files are comma separated text files that may be opened up in any text editor as well as applications like Excel. If the attorney chooses the Excel file type export option, Invoices (or Invoice Items), Payments and Retainers will be exported as separate worksheets joined into a single file.
Contextually Aware Manual
The latest update of the VLOTech software included the addition of the attorney manual for the software. This manual is contextually aware. This means that if the attorney requires assistance with a certain feature in the software, clicking on the “manual” link while that user is working will jump the attorney straight into the manual topic for that section. Once the user is finished with the manual, he or she may click to close the manual link and will be returned to the project he or she was working on. This new feature is in addition to the updated manual being accessible in its entirety online.
Client Manager
The Client Manager option from the menu shows the attorney all recent clients sorted by registration date. Selecting a client from the list provides the attorney with a new option to create a new case (’New Case’ from the Client Manager menu). Attorneys are able to create a new matter for existing clients or to handle this step for new clients who need assistance with setting up a case file.
Case List & Case View
Case list now shows VLO Case ID, Client Name and Case Title. Case View now allows the attorney to add an official title in addition to the client’s subject. This is useful in the event that the subject name that the registered client has given the legal matter is not correct or useful to the attorney in managing the case file. Case View now also allows the attorney to set a case category (a future release will use this category to assist the attorney in doing legal research). Case View shows client information on the main page as well as additional case information.
Case Management Tools
New management tools were added to edit case conflict status and state jurisdiction. Attorneys may now change the jurisdiction of a specific case. The state should be entered as the 2 letter abbreviation. The attorney may also edit the conflict status type, the options are: 1. No conflict, 2. Has conflict, 3. State conflict, or 4. Party conflict.
A new management tool was added to clear existing case referrals after referring a case to another attorney or organization.
Case email management has been updated with an option to turn the client email alerts on and off. This is available on the client menu as well. Now the attorney may also handle this matter for the client. Previously this could only be set at the beginning of a case.
Payment Overview
The payment list screen has been improved and may now quickly be accessed from the case menu. This section includes a summary line showing the current balance due on the case in addition to the current payments.
Case Quote Process
The case quote process has been updated to improve the workflow.
Case Invoices
The case invoice page has been updated to add additional information.
File Management
It is now easier to see when files have been deleted from the client’s view. These files are still visible to the attorney but are now grayed out.
Create new case linked to existing case
New cases may be created by the attorney that are linked to the existing case. The workflow for this process has been improved.
Date calculations
The date calculation library has been updated. Additionally, the date and time (including TZ) used by the VLO is now displayed in the title bar.
Case List
Changes have been made to improve case and client identification. The title for the case file created by the attorney will now replace the client’s original subject if it has been set. The original subject may still be seen in case view.
The client’s registered username is now shown next to their display name. This is done so that the attorney may properly identify two people that have the same display name (e.g. 2 ‘John Smith’s will now show John Smith <jsmith1964> and John Smith <JohnSmith>.)
The case list layout has also been reorganized to improve readability.
Email Templates
Any email sent by the system (password reset, case update notifications) may now be completely customized using templates. Currently, the client name, link and sender identification are merged into each template. Attorney alerts are identical to the client alerts so that the attorney may see the template currently in use. The attorney may log into the client side and do a password recovery to see the password reset template currently in use.