Time and Billing Options
By Wells H. Anderson, J.D., CIC
Updated August 15, 2011
Option 1 - Stay with Billing Matters
Option 2 - Switch to TMBills from Active Practice
Option 3 - Switch to PCLaw from LexisNexis
On 8/15/2011, LexisNexis announced the Sunrise of Billing Matters. Support and development of Billing Matters timekeeping and billing software will continue. Only the accounting features of Billing Matters will sunset on 12/31/2013.
If you currently use Billing Matters, you can continue doing so. The few firms using the accounting features of Billing Matters (originally named Billing Matters Plus) will need to find a new accounting application by 2014.
Timekeeping and Billing Options
As an independent consultant, I want to assist you as you make important technology decisions. This page offers free advice about your choices.
Here I cover three options for timekeeping, billing and accounting software programs that work with Time Matters.
I believe Time Matters is the best software available for managing the information you need to run a professional office. Time Matters manages:
- Clients, Contacts, Case and Matters
- Calendars, Docket, Deadlines, ToDo's
- Documents, E-mails, Attachments, Images
- More...
You also need time and billing software to ensure that your office is as profitable as possible.
By linking time and billing to Time Matters, you streamline new client intake and ensure that bills go the correct postal or e-mail addresses. The link automatically update address changes from Time Matters to your billing program.
In addition, links to your billing program make it easier and faster to enter time records.
Product and Policy Changes that Affect You
The August 15, 2011 announcement of the sunrise of Billing Matters timekeeping and billing means that you do not need to switch to new time and billing software if you currently use Billing Matters. If you discontinued the Billing Matters part of your Annual Maintenance Plan, you can renew it and get the current version: Time Matters / Billing Matters Version 11.
The accounting features of Billing Matters will be discontinued on 12/31/2013. If you are currently using Billing Matters accounting, you can continue to use the timekeeping and billing features of Billing Matters after that date, but you will need to find a new accounting application.
Billing Matters supports links to recent versions of QuickBooks.
For more information about the LexisNexis announccement, click here.
You can read much more about the Annual Maintenance Plan and my recommendations here:
Annual Maintenance Plan: Advice and Info - Click her for more...
Time and Billing Recommendations
Option 1 - Stay with Billing Matters
If you are satisfied with Billing Matters timekeeping and billing, it makes good sense to stay with it. You have moved up the learning curve and you have the program set up to record time and expenses, produce bills and track payments and accounts receivable.
If you are unhappy with Billing Matters timekeeping and billing and are currently using it, I suggest you obtain some assistance to make it work better for you. I believe Billing Matters is a high quality program, but its learning curve is difficult in a number of areas. By spending a little time with an expert, you can get Billing Matters automated and working smoothlly.
Once a your billing program is set up properly and you have learned how to use it, you typically do not need to make changes or learn anything new for years.
Staying with Billing Matters by keeping an Annual Maintenance Plan in force or renewing an expired AMP will get you onto the current version of Time Matters / Billing Matters. An Annual Maintenance Plan ensures that you have the most trouble-free software and provides LexisNexis Technical Support if you have problems.
Please contact me if you need to renew your Annual Maintenance Plan. I can assist you in getting the best price.
Option 2 - Switch to TMBills
TMBills is a straightforward, affordable time and billing program for law offices that my company developed for Time Matters users as a Billing Matters replacement. If you do not need the additional power and accounting features of PCLaw, I suggest you consider TMBills.
TMBills synchronizes client and matter information from Time Matters for use in timekeeping and billing. It also alllows you to send Time Matters records to billing. You can create billing records from your Time Matters calendar, Time Matters Notes and other Time Matters records.
For straightforward, affordable timekeeping and billing, I recommend our product, TMBills.
Option 3 - Switch to PCLaw
PCLaw is a good successor to Billing Matters if you want timekeeping, billing and accounting all in one package. PCLaw also provides more customization and better integration with Time Matters than third-party programs.
Unfortunately, there are currently some limitations and annoyances in the link between Time Matters and PCLaw. I expect that the LexisNexis development team will make the integration better and better with each new Service Pack and new version of Time Matters and PCLaw. Of course there are expenses involved in converting from Billing Matters to PCLaw or any other program.
Because PCLaw is full-featured and highly customizable, it is more complex than other programs for time and billing. If you are used to programs like QuickBooks or Quicken for your accounts and financial reports, the transition to PCLaw can be difficult. With PCLaw you have the advantage of many functions all in the same program, but you do not have the friendliness and elegance of QuickBooks.
With an in-force AMP, PCLaw provides new versions, updates, LexisNexis Technical Support and online training materials all included in the subscription price.
If you have any questions, please call us at 800.575.0007 or: Click to send us and e-mail...
