The Gazette 1994

GAZETTE

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

1994

Manual Accounting Systems

realistic assessment of the practice and its needs, then so be it. However, where it is an excuse to do nothing either because of laziness or self imposed ignorance the practice will find itself at an ever increasing disadvantage against its competitors. It is beyond dispute that the use of a computer in a solicitors office offers some advantage to practices which range from the sole practitioner to the largest commercial firms. The extent to which the firm exploits computerisation is largely up to the practice itself. The suppliers of equipment to the profession have done little to educate their clients about the benefits which use of software will bring to the practice. The majority of practices are very happy with the level of service incidents of computerisation usually involving accounts in almost every county where the supplier effectively abandoned the solicitor once the software was installed. This led to complete breakdown in relations between the parties. This colours the attitude of the user of the software, with the result that the software is rarely used to its full potential. If possible, this situation should be avoided. Where a recommended supplier of the Law Society is independent arbitrator to resolve the matter. The costs of this arbitration will usually be borne by the party at fault. It was hoped that the survey would produce data concerning the recommendation of particular packages and suppliers. Unfortunately, the data the survey produced was incomplete in this regard and therefore the data could not be analysed. However the satisfaction ratings which were given to suppliers were more than sufficient to assess the position on a county by county basis. which they receive from their suppliers. However, there are involved the Technology Committee will appoint an

Manual Accounting System

Legend • Kalamazoo • Safeguard • Other

Computerised Accounting Systems

C omp u t e r i z ed Ac c oun t i ng S y s t ems

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package, which has been approved by the Conveyancing Committee, has been available for a number of years. Reasonably priced off the shelf database software is widely available. Almost all of the other items which appeared on the wish list have been widely available for a number of years at a fairly reasonable cost. Many practitioners appear unable to chose an accounts package which they believe will be appropriate to the needs of their practice. The survey shows that there is an overwhelming demand that the Law Society do this for them. This is of course a wholly inappropriate function for the Law Society to assume, as the survey clearly demonstrated that while one package may fulfill all the needs of one practice, it may be a

Many packages in use in solicitors offices are completely out of date. There appeared to be an illusion that once the practice "computerised" that the task was then complete. Because of this many practices have lost out on the very significant advantages which are offered by current software. Many of the "computerised" practices should urgently look at the state of their systems and try to implement an upgrade program which takes account of the current needs of the practice. Some of the respondents expressed doubts as to the benefits of computerisation in respect of their particular practice. If this is a rationally held view based on a

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