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So far, we’ve looked at mobile device preferences, and desktop application results. This year saw more state bar associations issue ethics opinions in favor of cloud computing, and it stands to reason more lawyers will continue to adopt cloud-based applications in their practices in 2013. So let’s take a look at the results for cloud-based applications. In 2010, the list was short and simple:

• Basecamp (5.95%)
• Clio (9.73%)
• Freshbooks (2.16%)
• Google Apps (30.45%)
• HoudiniEsq (1.26%)
• Rocket Matter (4.5%)
• QuickBooks Online (7.39%)
• Other (38.56%)

In 2011, it grew:

• iCloud (15.18%)
• Box.net (now just Box) (4.34%)
• Dropbox (26.28%) 
• Basecamp (1.30%)
• Clio (21.94%)
• Freshbooks (0.95%)
• Google Apps (15.78%)
• HoudiniEsq (0.26%)
• Rocket Matter (1.21%)  
• Microsoft Office 365 (0.95%)
• QuickBooks Online (3.73%)
• Xero (0.17%)
• Other (7.89%)

No additional cloud-based applications were added for 2012. The results, however, show cloud-based practice management taking off.

• iCloud (16.32%)
• Box.net (now just Box) (3.27%)
• Dropbox (25.82%)  
• Basecamp (0.91%)
• Clio (25.66%)
• Freshbooks (0.70%)
• Google Apps (14.76%)
• HoudiniEsq (0.27%)
• Rocket Matter (0.75%)
• Microsoft Office 365 (1.61%)
• QuickBooks Online (5.42%)
• Xero (0.32%)
• Other (4.13%)

Clio showed an increase, while HoudiniEsq and Rocket Matter fell, but the total percentage of lawyers using cloud-based practice management applications actually rose from 23.41% in 2011 to 26.68% in 2012. One conclusion is that more lawyers are comfortable putting their practices in the cloud. Another is that cloud-based applications are tools of the trade today rather than of the future. 

An interesting thing to note is what is considered to be a cloud-based application. Evernote is cloud-based and has a desktop application, but it is only listed as a desktop application. Dropbox has a desktop application but it is only listed as a cloud-based application. So perhaps it is not the use of cloud-based applications that of a note anymore, but what is considered a cloud-based application. Or are Dropbox and Evernote the start of hybrid applications, ones that reside on all devices instead of just in the cloud or on a desktop?

Will 2013 see movement away from drawing distinctions between “desktop” and “cloud-based” applications, and towards which applications work best for lawyers and law firms? Will the platform still matter?

Christmas at Clio is spirited and celebratory. Decorations deck the halls, egg nog flows and gifts are exchanged. However, during these times of merriment it is important to recognize the needs of others in our community. 

Across the globe, hunger persists as one of the most pressing issues. Canada is no exception. The first Canadian food bank opened its doors in 1981 in Edmonton. Although it was intended to provide temporary assistance, the need for food banks grew and spread nationally. Currently, more than 800 food banks and 3000 food programs support communities across the country. Many food banks have even expanded their services. This may include providing assistance to those in need of affordable housing and childcare, operating snack programs or even organizing community gardens. Additionally, the majority of food banks depend heavily upon or are run solely by teams of committed volunteers.

In 2012, food banks across Canada helped more than 880,000 people each month and the number is rising each year. Most troubling is that 29.5% of the people who accessed food banks in British Columbia are children. There is no standard profile for those who access food banks. It is a place where everyone can seek assistance. It is clear that food banks continue to play an essential role in communities across the country.

At Clio, we recognize our good fortune and are thankful for all we have. This year, the staff has donated a variety of much-needed foodstuffs and household items to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Canned meats, whole grain pasta and baby formula are just some of this year’s contributions. Staff who did not bring in items instead could choose to make a financial contribution. That money will go a long way towards maintaining the food banks reserves year-round. In 2012, 14% of food banks found their stock completely depleted. Because of the special relationship the food bank has with grocery stores, the money raised goes even further as each $1 raised will purchase $3 worth of food. 

For more information on how to donate or become involved at your local food bank, please visit foodbankscanada.ca.

Clio is working towards strengthening our ties with the community. Clions are at the center of that effort. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and festive holiday season!

Last week we took a deeper look at mobile device preferences, and wondered if lawyers will eventually just use mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. And as we observed last year, as cloud computing was on the rise, there are still apps that reside on the desktop. 

Let’s take a took at the last couple of years:

2010:

• Billings (5.11%)
• Daylite (4.8%)
• iWork (18.89%)
• Lawstream (0.94%)
• Microsoft Office (37.06%)
• OpenOffice (5.95%)
• Parallels (11.27%)
• VMWare Fusion (7.31%)
• Other (8.66%)

Microsoft Office has been the lawyer’s work horse for documents, so it was of little surprise it garnered the majority of votes. You’ll notice, in 2010, there were no cloud computing options.  Fast-forward to 2011:

• Billings (3.78%)
• Evernote (14.08%)
• Daylite (2.10%)
• iWork (14.92%)
• Lawstream (0.53%)
• Microsoft Office (37.61%)
• OpenOffice (7.04%)
• Parallels (9.03%)
• VMWare Fusion (4.94%)
• Other (5.99%)

The most obvious addition is Evernote, which has a desktop app, a mobile app and is accessible through any Web browser. Microsoft Office saw a slight increase, and for the first time, OpenOffice burst onto the scene. There was speculation that open source applications would grab a foot hold in the legal profession as more new graduates hung their shingles on shoe string budgets. 

Now, the results from 2012:

• Billings (2.81%)
• Evernote (15.86%)
• Daylite (1.80%)
• iWork (10.55%)
• Lawstream (0.23%)
• Microsoft Office (44.84%)
• OpenOffice (5.78%)
• Parallels (8.52%)
• VMWare Fusion (4.22%)
• Other (5.39%)

Everything but Evernote and Microsoft Office saw a decrease. Curious, though perhaps not surprising. Microsoft Office continues to be the dominate workhorse of the legal profession, but it is curious that Evernote is creeping up in usage. Evernote is also a cloud-based application, and it syncs across devices. Microsoft Office does not, though with the launch of Office 365, that is changing.

Is it time for desktop applications to become obsolete? Or will they remain, but be more like Evernote and sync across devices instead of remaining on your desktop and shared through another application, such as Box or Dropbox?

Earlier this month we released the results of our 2012 Apple in in Law Firms survey. Over the coming weeks, we’ll do a series of deep dives into sections and see how the results compare over the past three years. 

We’ll start with mobile device preference. The breakdown from 2010 is as follows:

• iPhone (50.30%)
• BlackBerry (27.25%)
• Palm Pre (2.30%)
• Android-based device (9.82%)
• Other (10.32%)

At the time, we didn’t see this as very surprising since the iPhone was the biggest introduction to the market, and clearly changed it. Android-based devices were a whisper, easily overshadowed by the iPhone. The impact of the iPhone was confirmed a year later, in 2011:

• iPhone (60.90%)
• BlackBerry (11.19%)
• Palm Pre (0.79%)
• Android-based device (21.02%)
• Other (6.10%)

Surprising, at the time, was the rapid rise of Android-based devices. They went from a curious entrant to knocking BlackBerry out of second. It is fair to argue that BlackBerry suffered from the double-punch of iPhones and Android-based devices in 2011. Naturally, we were curious if its struggles would be reflected in this year’s survey, too, so let’s take a look:

• iPhone (62.38%)
• BlackBerry (7.11%)
• Palm Pre (0.50%)
• Android-based device (24.84%)
• Other (5.17%)

Not surprisingly, iPhone remains dominate with Android-based devices a solid second choice. BlackBerry declined, as did the Palm Pre. So, what does all this suggest? Two things:

1. Mobile devices are a necessity for the practice of law. 
2. Lawyers are increasingly splitting into two camps: iPhone v. Android. 

As cloud computing has matured and become more accepted in the legal industry, use of mobile devices like iPhones and Android-based devices is almost second nature. Having access to case files, client contact information and documents while on the go or in court is more necessity today than a trend. It is less a question of using mobile devices and more a question of whether or not lawyers will only use mobile devices.

The split into two specific camps isn’t necessarily surprising since both platforms have demonstrated their ability to help lawyers be more productive, organized and remain connected to the office. A more interesting thing to watch might be the use of applications, and if there is a shift either towards the platform becoming irrelevant, or towards more specialized applications based on platform.

One final observation: the continued decline of the “Other” category. We haven’t broken out Windows specifically, but with the release of Windows 8 devices and Microsoft’s push towards “the cloud,” it will be interesting to see what happens in 2013.