Kates & Barlow, a Boston-based law firm, needed a thorough audit of their IT and cybersecurity posture. They would soon discover the possibilities of managed IT services for legal businesses, with the help of some familiar faces at Usherwood.
Reconnecting to Forge Future Solutions
Kates and Barlow Firm Administrator Scott Griffiths had an existing relationship with Usherwood Senior Solutions Architect Michael Brown. Scott had already gotten familiar with Usherwood’s solutions and the Odyssey Discovery process from working with Michael through previous firms.
When he joined the Kates and Barlow office located across the street from Usherwood's office in Boston, MA, Michael reconnected with Scott to explore possible solutions.
After implementing some print and software solutions for Kates and Barlow, Michael and Scott continued the conversation to include IT management and cybersecurity.
A Network Assessment to Uncover Opportunities
Through an in-depth network assessment (which Usherwood calls an Odyssey Discovery) he soon learned of all the IT solutions Usherwood had to offer as well.
The Odyssey Discovery Process is a thorough assessment of a business's IT strengths and weaknesses. When Scott invested in this audit, Usherwood technicians got to work digging into aspects such as:
- Current IT contracts or documentation
- Network performance
- Cybersecurity protections
- Devices and software
- Any necessary upgrades or additions
During this process, Usherwood experts took the time to identify the firm's current strengths, opportunities for improvement, and goals for the future.
Cybersecurity as a Priority for Legal Firms
With rampant data breaches rocking industries that deal with sensitive information, cybersecurity is especially crucial in law. Usherwood helped Scott enhance and strengthen the firm's defenses against hackers, all while keeping him informed about the risks at hand.
“During my meetings with the Usherwood team, I learned about the things that are going on in the world and potential dangers to our systems and our clients’ information,” said Scott.
Technology Roadmaps to Ensure Future Success
Scott also said he’s enjoyed the help Usherwood has provided with IT budgeting and planning. A technology roadmap empowered the firm to plan and allocate necessary budgets to technology.
"It helps me as a manager to budget things for the year," Scott remarked. "It also helps me make the partners aware of what we might need, and security measures we might have to take to keep our client's data secure."
To read more about how IT planning can save you time, productivity, and money in the long term, read our blog: Ask The Expert: How Technology Management Can Expedite Your Business Growth
Simplifying Day-To-Day Operations with Responsive Service Teams
Now that Kate's and Barlow has a fully staffed IT team at their service, issues are resolved quickly and efficiently to simplify day-to-day troubleshooting.
"They go above and beyond to help out. I like that I can go into the system to monitor where the tickets are at," he said.
He also enjoyed that service technicians will revisit tickets if an issue arises again, so the right person connects with him to get things resolved.
"If I have to go back in and open up a ticket again, it's nice to be able to work with the same person who's aware of what was happening and they'll walk you right through how to resolve the ticket," said Scott.
How to Find Managed IT Services for Law Firms
If you have a similar business to Kates and Barlow, you likely face many of the same IT challenges. That's why it's crucial to find an IT provider with the knowledge and experience to work with your industry-specific requirements.
To learn more about managed IT services for lawyers and how it could benefit your legal practice, click the button below to speak with an IT expert.
