how to run a mac based law firm
TRANSCRIPT
HOW TO RUN A MAC-BASED LAW FIRM DON’Ts and Do’s
Tom Lambotte, CEOTom Lambotte, CEO
What this presentation is NOT:
• Convincing you Macs are better
• Not a complex technology discussion
• Review your options for IT support (see the 3 previous articles on Legal Productivity)
• A deep dive into one specific area
Dont’s and Do’s on the 10 pillars of running a secure, productive Mac-based law firm
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Backup
4. Email
5. Security & Network
6. Mobile Device Management
7. Case Management
8. File management
9. Servers
10. Legacy items
HARDWAREDON’T
Use Macs older than 3 years
Buy spinning hard drives
Work hunched over your laptop
HARDWAREDO
Budget to upgrade every 3 years
Invest in solid state hard drives
Use a dedicated monitor - good ergonomics
SOFTWAREDON’T
Use home, personal licenses
Be the first/early adopter
Use free software for important things
Use Messages for firm communications
SOFTWAREDO
Invest in productivity boosters
Wait to install updates
Update Regularly
Use business-grade communications software like Slack
BACKUPSDON’T
Rely on Time Machine
Rely on local backups only
Assume your backups work
Leave backups unencrypted
BACKUPSDO
Make local, encrypted backups
Invest in cloud backup
Regularly scheduled, random test restores
Review backup configurations from time to time
EMAILDON’T
Use free/cheap email
Use a general domain such as: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or an AOL account
EMAILDO
Pay for business class email
Setup Archiving/Backup solution
SECURITY & NETWORKDON’T
Use an Airport Router
Use an inexpensive, “Best Buy” solution
Have open WiFi/shared WiFi
Use the Mac software-based VPN
Write down or use shared/repeated passwords
SECURITY & NETWORKDO
Invest in enterprise-grade solutions
Firewalls with automatic security definition updates
Secured, wireless and guest network solution
Use an enterprise-grade VPN
Use a password manager such as 1Password for Teams or LastPass
Use multiple layers of security, such as OpenDNS Umbrella for threat protection
MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENTDON’T
Put firm data on mobile devices without a tool providing control
Think that just changing passwords is solution
Don’t operate without an MDM policy
Use iCloud as your MDM solution
MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENTDO
Enroll devices in a Mobile Device Management platform/solution
(Meraki Systems Manager, Harvest, Airwatch)
Implement security policies
Have an MDM policy in place
CASE MANAGEMENTDON’T
Rely on address book, calendar, and legal pads to manage the firm’s matters
Rely on ancient bloatware as a solution
Build your own in Filemaker database
CASE MANAGEMENTDO
Invest in a modern, cloud-based solution
Leverage streamlined processes
FILE MANAGEMENTDON’T
Share a single user Dropbox account
Use a single user in OS X Server
Assume VPN works!
Set it and forget it
FILE MANAGEMENTDO
Invest in right solution
Build logical structure
Test and verify VPN and streamline process
Set user permissions
Revisit structure and regularly clean it up
SERVERDON’TUnderbuy
Follow the crowd
Blindly rule out the Cloud
SERVERDO
Invest in the right solution
Ask an expert
Consider cloud storage options
LEGACY ITEMSDON’T
Leave everything on an old PC
Try to move everything over
LEGACY ITEMSDO
Purge and clean!
Migrate to a new PC/VM that is also backed up
AFTER THIS WEBINARDON’T
Let your notes get lost in Evernote or your Legalpad
Forget about me :(
AFTER THIS WEBINARDO one of the
following:Sign up for our Monthly
Newsletter, MACLAW ADVISOR: News to Make Your Law Firm Run Faster, Easier and More
ProfitablyRequest a copy of my book, Hassle Free Mac IT
Support for Law Firms
globalmacit.com/book/ globalmacit.com/subscribe
Tom Lambotte, CEO
HOW TO RUN A MAC-BASED LAW FIRM DON’Ts and Do’s