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| Timeslips, Version 9.1 | |
 Sage has recently released version 9.1 of its
award-winning software. This version, mailed free of charge to version 9.0 users, is a
well thought out upgrade to a time and billing application that has already been a
standard in many small- to medium-sized law firms for many years. In fact, it contains
most of the time and billing functionality that a law firm of that size will ever require.
Timeslips is a very customizable time and billing program. In fact, most of the users of this product are law offices consisting of less than 15 attorneys. The difference in this version from previous incarnations of this program is that version 9.1 has been completely rewritten for 32-bit applications (Windows 95/98/NT). This allows for a smoother interface and greater functionality than in previous versions of this product. I have been using this software for several weeks and have not noticed any major bugs. The installation of Timeslips was painless. In fact, I found this program rather easy to install and configure. I installed it on several computers from a Pentium III 600 MHz to a Pentium 266 and did not have any major problems. I was up and running with it as soon as I completed the data entry and conversion requirements, which are necessary with any new system. The actual content and data elements are completely customizable by the user. An impressive aspect of this application was the online tutorial. As soon as the application has been initialized, the user is offered the option to take the tutorial. I recommend taking it. If you are not familiar with time and billing programs, this will lead a new user through the configuration details without too much confusion. In addition to the tutorial, the "guided tour" will lead the new user through various essential areas of the program. Those areas include how to add clients, expenses, timekeepers, tasks, create tables and reports, bills, as well as several other online learning options. It is very comprehensive, and the use of the tour and the tutorial makes it rather painless to learn the features of this application. Overall, I found this program to be easy to learn and well suited for even the computer technology novice. The program itself lets the attorney track all of his or her time and expenses, whether or not actually billed to the client. In addition, it has a comprehensive billing program that allows you to track all accounts receivable, as well as automatically generate preformatted and customized bills. This will be very useful in the smaller offices and significantly reduce the overhead that is now required to complete and track this type of work. Attorneys can track their time and expenses and bill directly from their workstation without sending the information to the firm bookkeeper or accountant. The use of this program in smaller law firms will take the time and billing functionality from more expensive back office applications into the front office, without the purchase of a very expensive time and billing package. The people at Timeslips have assured me that they support both the Palm Pilot and Windows CE. The product also ships with a standard dictionary, but a legal dictionary is available. Timeslips also has a Crystal Reports interface to customize your reports. It does lack an Internet interface however, but Version 10, just released in March, has added that functionality. I would recommend this software for a smaller law firm. It's customizable, fully featured and easy to learn and use. |
Sage Software (800) 285-0999 www.timeslips.com Windows 95/98/NT Price: Depends upon amount of timekeepers, but begins at $179.95 for two timekeepers. Reviewed by Adam C. Nelson, Esq., consultant, Arthur Andersen, LLP, Chicago, Ill. PROS CON VERDICT
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